Non‐verbal Effects in Oral Testing

Abstract

The investigation is intended to determine whether non‐verbal effects such as appearance and body language can result in a difference in the scores given to students’ oral answers to oral questions. A sample of 14‐15‐year‐old students answered a set of typical science questions orally and was assessed by two pairs of experienced teachers. One pair put the questions and assessed the students in a face‐to‐face situation. The other assessed the same answers out‐of‐sight using a radio link. A comparison of the scores from these two different conditions of assessment indicated that the scores were enhanced as a result of non‐verbal effects.