Perceptions of CMRU-TEP: English Majors versus Non-English Majors’ Voices

Chiang Mai Rajabhat University Test of English Proficiency (CMRU-TEP) is a required English proficiency test for all CMRU students before graduation. Despite its meticulous design, there is an opportunity for students to improve their scores through focused efforts and targeted support. This study employs an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, utilizing surveys and interviews, to explore student perceptions of CMRU-TEP and to propose improvement strategies to enhance test performance. Guided by Bachman and Palmer’s (1996) model, the study involves 1,037 fourth-year students, including 155 English majors and 882 non-English majors. Both groups consider CMRU-TEP “useful”, addressing six qualities of test usefulness. The perceptions of majors and non-majors are similar. To enhance CMRU-TEP, the following recommendations are proposed: 1) Develop a test administration handbook. 2) Integrate a writing and speaking portfolio as part of the proficiency assessment. 3) Ensure the test aligns with the focus on communicative skills. 4) Shorten test time and tasks. 5) Design tasks to stimulate real-world language use. 6) Explore the potential of computer-based testing as an alternative. The paper concludes by proposing tailored support for English and non-English majors based on identified needs.