An Overview of Studies on Diagnostic Testing and its Implications for the Development of Diagnostic Speaking Test

This paper aims at identifying the distinctive features of diagnostic testing and providing theoretical framework for the development of a diagnostic speaking test through a comprehensive literature review. First, the researcher analyzes the distinctive features and thus differentiates assessment for learning from assessment of learning. Then, the researcher does an overall review on relevant studies on the definition, characteristics and empirical studies of diagnostic testing with a view to shedding some light on the development of the diagnostic speaking test.