This paper takes a critical perspective in analyzing a test developed by the National Basic Foreign Language Teaching Research Centre to screen test-takers for further education abroad.Based on the interpretations of and comments on the test results as reported in the press and the test content issued on the web,it casts doubts on the accuracy of the test instrument. Firstly,it investigates the construct validity,criterion-related validity,content validity and face validity of the test.While withholding the inclusion of the Translation format in the Written section,it offers suggestions as to the possible changes that could be made on the test components and their corresponding weights.Then it moves on to the reliability study and questions the test developer's distrust of the multiple-choice format.Finally,it briefly examines the fairness aspect of the test.
