Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the TOEFL® Test

Author(s):

Hale, Gordon A.; Rock, Donald A.; Jirele, Thomas J.

Publication Year:

1989

Report Number:

RR-89-42

TOEFL-RR-32

Source:

Document Type:

Subject/Key Words:

English as a second language factor analysis listening comprehension

Abstract

In a recent study, confirmatory factor analyses indicated that, for each of several language groups, TOEFL® performance can be characterized by two factors, associated with (a) the Listening Comprehension section and (b) the other sections of the test (Hale, Stansfield, Rock, Hicks, Butler, & Oller, 1988). This conclusion was inconsistent with that drawn in the most comprehensive previous factor-analytic study of the TOEFL test, which suggested a three-factor solution for each of several languages (Swinton & Powers, 1980). The present study investigated the inconsistency in conclusions drawn from these two studies and provided further information about the factor structure of the TOEFL test.