QUESTION CHOICE IN ENGLISH LITERATURE EXAMINATIONS

The effect of question choice on performance in a GCSE English Literat ure examination was investigated using a multilevel model. Although th ere were statistically significant question effects, these were small. For the majority of candidates in the study, the difference was less than +/-1 mark. There was no evidence that candidates were seriously d isadvantaged by their choice of texts or questions. This was expected because the underlying criterion-referenced mark scheme used was indep endent of the questions.