On the Relationship between Problem-solving Trait and the Performance on C-test

Individuals attend language classrooms with miscellaneous personal attributes which are going to influence learners' test performance. Therefore, individual differences play an important role in sources of variance in test scores. This paper aims at investigating the effect of problem solving on the language ability obtained through C-tests. To this end, 70 EFL learners were randomly chosen and they were required to fill Parker's Problem-Solving Style Questionnaire (PSSQ). Simultaneously, they were given three C-tests to complete. The PSSQ measures four functions of problem solving: Sensing, Intuitive, Feeling, and Thinking. These four functions are the independent variables of this research. The Multiple Regression showed that there is a high positive correlation between C-test and intuitive (.844) and thinking (.838) functions. The results also point out a large effect size (R2= .786) for correlations which in turn describes how much of the variance in dependent variable is accounted for by the four functions of problem solving. To link theory into practice, the pedagogical implications in the EFL context are discussed. Index Terms--problem solving, multiple regression, personal attributes, PSSQ questionnaire, C-test