The relationship between international students’ English test scores and their academic achievements

Abstract

This study investigates the connection between international students’ scores achieved in an English grammar and vocabulary test and the overall grades attained on their degree programmes at a UK university. Data was collected from 1841 students taking part in the university’s Communication Skills programme, which provides supplementary support for students by means of in-sessional English for Academic Purposes tuition. A comparatively strong correlation (r=0.426) between English proficiency test scores and final academic grades was established, indicating that students’ knowledge of English grammar and vocabulary has a telling impact on their ability to attain higher level grades and that further support to boost international students’ communicative ability at all performance levels is warranted.