A comparison of academic performance in A-level Economics between two years

Performance equations are estimated using ALIS data for two cohorts of students in England and Wales taking Economics A-level examinations in 1998 and 2000. The approach adopted uses an ordered probit model and the empirical results confirm some established research findings in the educational literature. In particular, we find that prior attainment at GCSE level and performance in GCSE Mathematics exert a strong influence on A-level achievement in Economics. However, we also find a significant gender differential in performance in both years. A counterfactual exercise was implemented and this established that standards within the subject appear to have remained relatively constant across the two years in question.