Deep Insight into Interview Format vs. Paired Format in Speaking Tests

Abstract: This paper discusses two common formats used in speaking assessment: the interview format and the paired format. Speaking is a crucial skill in language learning, and its evaluation requires reliable and valid testing methods. The interview format is practical and easy to administer, but it may not fully represent real communication. The paired format allows more natural interaction between candidates, although it is more difficult to score and manage. The paper also examines the challenges of scoring speaking tests, including issues of reliability, validity, and examiner judgment. It concludes that combining different test formats and using clear scoring criteria can improve the accuracy of speaking assessment. Keywords: Speaking assessment; Interview format; Paired format; Oral proficiency interview (OPI); Communicative competence; Language testing; Reliability; Validity; Rating scales; Speaking performance evaluation. Title: Deep Insight into Interview Format vs. Paired Format in Speaking Tests Author: Naser Alsubaiei International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online) Vol. 14, Issue 1, January 2026 - March 2026 Page No: 337-341 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 23-March-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19178650 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/deep-insight-into-interview-format-vs-paired-format-in-speaking-tests