Table 8 Descriptive statistics of questionnaire responses

Test value

M

SD

Skew

Kurt.

M

SD

Skew

Kurt.

1. How important is my GEPT score for applying to graduate schools.

3.82

1.59

−0.33

−0.85

3.13

1.59

0.11

−1.11

2. How important is my GEPT score for gaining professional certification.

4.40

1.33

−0.61

−0.20

3.78

1.42

−0.30

−0.63

3. How important is my GEPT score for obtaining an academic award/scholarship.

4.22

1.38

−0.45

−0.48

3.72

1.44

−0.21

−0.75

4. How important is my GEPT score for obtaining a job.

4.43

1.38

−0.73

−0.17

3.97

1.39

−0.43

−0.54

5. How important is my GEPT score for studying/working abroad.

4.21

1.51

−0.52

−0.67

3.59

1.62

−0.10

−1.11

Attitudes towards graduation policy

M

SD

Skew

Kurt.

M

SD

Skew

Kurt.

1. I understand that my university encourages students to take the GEPT in order to enhance their English proficiency.

4.48

1.14

−0.68

0.53

4.32

1.21

−0.60

0.11

2. I think it is reasonable to require college students to pass the GEPT High-Intermediate Level Test.

4.55

1.22

−0.80

0.51

4.45

1.26

−0.70

0.12

3. I think the GEPT is fair and reliable.

4.40

1.06

−0.46

0.37

4.27

1.09

−0.33

−0.15

4. I agree that Taiwan should develop its own English proficiency tests, for instance the GEPT.

4.00

1.26

−0.41

0.03

3.80

1.29

−0.24

−0.44

5. I think my university should not require students to take the GEPT.

3.43

1.47

−0.22

−0.87

3.54

1.36

−0.16

−0.66

Test anxiety

M

SD

Skew

Kurt.

M

SD

Skew

Kurt.

1. I am under a lot of pressure to get good scores on this GEPT.

4.16

1.29

−0.36

−0.45

3.66

1.53

−0.07

−0.98

2. The GEPT listening section makes me feel anxious.

4.10

1.33

−0.36

−0.50

4.01

1.46

−0.31

−0.81

3. The GEPT reading section makes me feel anxious.

4.01

1.28

−0.28

−0.45

3.45

1.41

0.11

−0.74

Intrinsic motivation

M

SD

Skew

Kurt.

M

SD

Skew

Kurt.

I study English…

1. Because I enjoy reading English literature.

4.73

1.17

−0.79

1.08

4.93

1.08

−0.86

0.30

2. For the satisfaction I gain from learning new things.

5.03

1.00

−0.98

0.89

5.23

0.89

−1.02

1.07

3. Because I want to know more about English communities and their way of life.

4.95

1.07

−0.95

0.98

5.12

0.98

−0.94

0.75

4. Because I like to understand difficult topics in English.

4.78

1.04

−0.81

0.96

4.91

0.96

−0.65

−0.01

5. For the satisfaction I feel when I am completing a difficult task in English.

4.90

1.07

−1.01

1.08

4.90

1.08

−0.95

1.03

6. For the excitement I feel when hearing English.

3.41

1.27

0.10

0.31

3.41

1.31

0.11

−0.43

Extrinsic motivation

M

SD

Skew

Kurt.

M

SD

Skew

Kurt.

I study English…

1. Because I want to speak more than one language.

4.20

1.18

−0.37

−0.29

4.28

1.17

−0.27

−0.48

2. Because I think it helps my personal development.

4.20

1.31

−0.43

−0.46

4.45

1.21

−0.45

−0.51

3. Because I want to be able to speak English.

3.36

1.28

0.22

−0.27

3.52

1.29

0.06

−0.46

4. Because I would like to perform better at school or at work.

4.01

1.32

−0.30

−0.48

4.07

1.27

−0.24

−0.59

5. Because I want to get a better job.

3.78

1.28

−0.04

−0.56

3.87

1.27

−0.06

−0.53