Standard Setting in Relation to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: The Case of the State Examination of Dutch as a Second Language

This article reports on two related studies carried out to link the State examination of Dutch as a second language to the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR). In the first study, key persons from institutions for higher education were asked to determine the minimally required language level of beginning students. In the second study, a standard setting method is used to determine whether examinees who pass the state examination are at the required level. This amounts to an evaluation of the current cutscores in relation to the CEFR. The results of the examinations for speaking and writing are reported.