Effects of Reflectivity/Impulsivity on IELTS Candidates’ Band Scores in the Speaking Module of the Test

Among the four skills assessed in proficiency exams speaking is said to be one of the most difficult ones. Due to the significance of this skill, all the factors affecting the candidates’ success should be taken into account. Of these factors learning styles seem to play a major role in candidates’ performance. This study, therefore, was conducted to examine whether there is any relationship between Reflectivity and Impulsivity as two learning styles in cognitive domain and IELTS candidates’ band scores in the speaking module. To fulfill the goal of the study, 52 IELTS candidates from two institutes in Shiraz were chosen. The two instruments used in this study consisted of Yando and Kagan's (1965) adult/adolescent version of MFFT to divide the participants into reflectives and impulsives and the test of speaking. After analyzing the data it was found that there is no relationship between the dimensions of Reflectivity and Impulsivity and IELTS candidates’ band scores, nor between the components of these dimensions. Findings also indicated that there is no difference between R/I in achieving a higher band score.