Impacts of high-stakes testing on academic performance of tertiary level students: a washback study

Abstract In Bangladesh, we often find students in private universities preparing for the civil service exams at the expense of their academic studies. The civil-service or government jobs are much sought after due to the variety of benefits that they provide. In this paper, I will show how a high-stakes test taken to get a position in the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) or Bank Recruitment Exam impacts the academic studies of private university students. The study will propose a change in the testing criteria of the Bangladesh Civil Service/Bank Recruitment Exam. While the current examination focuses on retention and memorisation, the proposal will instead focus on 21st-century skills – critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity. Besides suggesting a change in the testing criteria of the two examinations, this study will conclude by providing guidelines on how a student may effectively continue his BCS exam preparation while doing his academic studies.