Candidate Fatigue and Performance on Gce Objective Tests

S ummary . Four multiple choice tests were set to groups of between 80 and 103 Advanced level chemistry students in their original form or with the items in reversed order. Analysis of the pattern of responses showed that the students seemed able to complete these tests in the time available. Analysis of covariance, using level of achievement (as measured by score in an A‐level multiple choice test) as the covariate, of scores on items in original and reversed order forms, showed no evidence of differences in the proportions of students choosing the correct response which might be attributed to the effects of candidate fatigue or time limitations.