Matching proficiency levels shown by statistics

Posted by eva9 on Jul 19, 2011; 8:12am
URL: http://spssx-discussion.165.s1.nabble.com/Matching-proficiency-levels-shown-by-statistics-tp4611516.html

I have conducted a language acquisition study for an article with two groups using the same test sentences. First I made them do an independent English test to categorize the students into 3 levels (low-mid-high) of proficiency.
There were 3 types of sentences, 8 test sentences for each type. Then I conducted a factorial ANOVA for both groups, the 3 levels as between subject factor and type of sentences as within subjects factor (3) in order to see if there are significant differences among their correct production of the three types.
Now the reviewer tells me that I should match the proficiency level of the two groups [b]to be shown by statistics [/b]in order to be able to talk about their production (make sure that both groups are at comparable levels of proficiency in English). My question is HOW?
Could somebody help me? As you see I am a complete beginner in the field of statistics, i would need clear instructions.