Anticipating Washback in a Computer Based University Entrance Examination: Key Issues

The way in which examinations influence teaching and learning is called washback. This study examined the attitudes of 100 teachers towards the computerization of the English section of the Spanish University Entrance Examination paying special attention to the nature and scope of these changes, and the constraints and benefits. A 10 item questionnaire and 2 sessions with a focus group were used to obtain the data. The paper concludes that although regarded as positive, this change would require additional resources for materials for the schools and the pertinent teacher training.