本书从剑桥系列英语考试的写作测试入手，厘清了在社会一认知框架下写作测试的构念，并结合该系列考试阐述了有关写作效度验证的研究和方法。
本书共八章：第一章为引言，详细展现了社会一认知框架，并解释了语言测试中效度观的演变；第二章至第七章分别从考生特征、认知效度、环境效度、评分效度、后效效度以及对标效度等六个方面对写作效度加以举证；第八章总结了本书的主要内容并对写作测试的开发和效度验证提出了具有建设性的意见。
本书对大规模、高利害考试的效度验证有重要意义，对语言测评领域的研究者、教师、研究生以及考试机构从业人员等具有重要的指导意义。

导读
潘呜威
Abbreviations
Series Editors’note
Acknowledgements
l Introduction
2 Test—taker characteristics
3 Cognitive validity
4 Context validity
5 Scoring validity
6 Consequential validity
7 Criterion-related validity
8 Conclusions and recommendations
Appendices
Appendix A Sample Writing tasks from Main Suite examinations
Appendix B Candidate Information Sheet
Appendix C Revised method of assessment for IELTS Writing
Appendix D Current Cambridge ESOL rating procedures and
marking models
Appendix E Standard procedures for the production of
Writing examination materials
Appendix F Minimum Professional Requirements for
examiners Of ESOL Writing tests
Appendix G Computer-based(CB)exam versions：Issues and
directions
Appendix HElectronic Script Management in Cambridge ESOL:
Issues and directions
References
Subject index