Date of Publication :25th March 2024

Abstract:This study aims to identify biased items or tasks for examinees with visual and hearing disabilities in English certificate examinations and to propose possible revision and elimination of these to promote bias-free English examinations. Studies on cultural and cognitive factors began in the 1970s, including disadvantages of specific groups such as Arabic and Black children. However, the cultural factors of disabilities have not been considered as bias, in spite that persons with disabilities should be entitled to recognition and support of their specific cultural identity as stated in CRPD. This article analyzes passages, using sensitive review and DIF, in Japanese EIKEN and those of the sham examinations of TOEIC in the ETS official guide books, since TOEIC itself is not made public. It presents the biases and proposes that customizations rather than accommodations can be more effective.

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