ABSTRACT
This chapter reports on a study of the intended washback effects of a highstakes test, the National Matriculation English Test (NMET) in China, with a view to improving our understanding of the washback phenomenon through new empirical evidence, which is much needed for in-depth understanding of this issue. Pragmatically, the present study, which is part of an on-going washback project, aims to inform policymakers and test constructors of how successful the NMET has been in achieving one of its major goals, that is, to produce changes in English teaching and learning in secondary schools in China.
