The Washback Effects of the Thai General Aptitude Test (TGAT1) (English Communication) on Teaching in the Upper Secondary School Level in the Bangkok Area

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Published: Jul 30, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70730/ZMWP9429
Keywords:
TGAT1, washback, university entrance examination, English language teaching, assessment literacy

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Chuenjit Athiworakun
Language and Academic Services Center, International College for Sustainability Studies, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand
Kewalin Pawabunsiriwong
English Language Department, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
Nattanit Astsawaraksawong
Department of English, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Thammasat University, Thailand
Dumrong Adunyarittigun
Department of English, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Thammasat University, Thailand

Abstract

Despite increasing attention to assessment-driven instruction in Thailand, the mechanisms and extent of the washback effects of the Thailand General Aptitude Test (English for Communication), or TGAT1, on English language teaching at the upper secondary level remain underexplored. This study investigated the washback effects of TGAT1, which serves as a university entrance examination, on English language teaching practices. A mixed-methods research design was employed. One hundred upper secondary school English teachers responded to a questionnaire, and 17 of them were purposively selected for in-depth interviews. The findings reveal that TGAT1 notably influenced teachers to prioritize test demands. Teachers put substantial effort into developing teaching materials and adapting instructional strategies to meet test requirements and motivate students to improve their English proficiency. Moreover, teachers’ beliefs and perceptions of the TGAT1 were found to mediate the relationship between the test and their teaching practices. The study also underscores the importance of enhancing teachers’ assessment literacy to promote more positive washback effects and highlights the necessity of integrating critical thinking into the test design.

Article Details

How to Cite
Athiworakun, C., Pawabunsiriwong, K., Astsawaraksawong, N., & Adunyarittigun, D. (2026). The Washback Effects of the Thai General Aptitude Test (TGAT1) (English Communication) on Teaching in the Upper Secondary School Level in the Bangkok Area . LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 19(2), 532–557. https://doi.org/10.70730/ZMWP9429
Issue
Vol. 19 No. 2 (2026): LEARN Journal (July-December)
Section
Research Articles
Author Biographies

Chuenjit Athiworakun, Language and Academic Services Center, International College for Sustainability Studies, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand

A full-time lecturer at International College for Sustainability Studies, Srinakharinwirot University (SWUIC), Bangkok, Thailand. Her research interests include washback studies, language assessment, and English language teaching. She can be reached at chuenjet@g.swu.ac.th.

Kewalin Pawabunsiriwong, English Language Department, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Thailand

A full-time lecturer in the English Language Department, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. Her research interests include L2 writing, genre analysis, academic writing, and writing strategies. She can be reached at pkewal@kku.ac.th.

Nattanit Astsawaraksawong, Department of English, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Thammasat University, Thailand

An assistant professor in the Department of English, Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand. Her research interests include second language acquisition and translation. She can be reached at nattanit.a@arts.tu.ac.th.

Dumrong Adunyarittigun, Department of English, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Thammasat University, Thailand

An associate professor in the Department of English, Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand. His research interests include reading comprehension, self-perception and motivation to read, language assessment, and critical literacy to promote global citizenship. He can be reached at dumrong.a@arts.tu.ac.th.

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