This Handbook is the German translation of the Manual for Language Test Development and Examining – For use with the CEFR (produced by ALTE on behalf of the Language Policy Division, Council of Europe). It is a complete guide to developing various types of exams and is intended as a supplement to the Manual for Relating Language Examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment (Europarat, 2009).

The Handbook begins by explaining the process of test development and provides a step-by-step guide on how to link exams to the CEFR in terms of

• determining test content,
• writing tests for a specific CEFR proficiency level, and
• interpreting language test results as an indicator of the candidate’s ability to apply the foreign language in everyday life.

Chapter 1 introduces basic concepts linked to testing language proficiency: validity, reliability and fairness.

Chapter 2 – "Test Development" – describes the processes following the decision to offer a test up to the final preparation of test specifications.

Chapter 3 – "Generating Test Versions" – deals with the creation of items and test versions.

Chapter 4 – "Test Administration" – covers aspects of examination administration from candidate registration to returning materials.

Chapter 5 – "Evaluating, Marking and Reporting Results" – concludes the administrative phase of the project.

Chapter 6 – "Quality Assurance" – shows how this cycle can be repeated to improve the test over time.