This research will describe an effective way of using Keyword Matching Technique (KMT) in coping with an IELTS AR (hereafter IELTS AR) Test and demonstrates the nature of test-takers' appraisal confidence and its correlation on reported KMT use in the IELTS AR test. It gives the chance to concentrate on the Test-taking strategy specifically KMT in IELTS AR test by proving test performance through appraisal confidence rating.
The study recruited 50 non-English speaking background international students in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Quantitative data analysis techniques including Crosstabs descriptive statistics, Pearson Product-Moment correlations, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed. It was observed that candidates showed insignificant correlation and were miscalibrated in their performance appraisals, showing a rate to be overconfident (10%) across the IELTS AR passages as well as there was not found a significant correlation between candidates' Appraisal confidence rate and IELTS AR scores in relation to KMT usage.
The research has enhanced our knowledge of strategic processes, including appraisal confidence and KMT use that affect IELTS AR test performance. The use of KMT for solving the problem is very efficient because when examining lexico-semantic word relationships in the reading examination context candidates will have a chance to develop a crucial element of learning skills (Cohen, 2003), particularly, the ability to recognize patterns of language structure and use.
Ultimately, findings show support for test-takers who need to acquaint themselves with KMT and Appraisal verification that can help to improve their prospects at the IELTS AR test. To this end, it could be worth curriculum designers considering introducing lexico-semantic word relationship in vocabulary teaching contexts.