Music Gives a Helping Hand to Test Scores

Overview

Objectives/Goals My project was to see if music would help improve test scores, specifically in mathematical computations. My hypothesis for this project is that classical music, which is softer, will increase test scores. Methods/Materials Materials: Classical and Rap CDs, human test subjects, three different mathematical computation sheets that test the same skills, CD player. Methods: Fifty-on eighth grade students at a middle school in Riverside County took part in this study. Students were given different tests with the same types of mathematical problems and given 5 minutes to complete the test. The control group had no music played during the computations; the second group heard classical music as they completed the problems; and the final group listened to rap music while they completed the questions. Each of the tests were then graded and the data was interpreted. Results The test group that listened to classical music during their computations averaged 16.73 correct items; the group with no music averaged 14.59 correct items, and those listening to rap music averaged 13.25 questions correct. Conclusions/Discussion The research hypothesis for this project was proven correct. Softer-- classical music, did help students perform better on tests of mathematical calculations, compared to both the control and group listening to rap music.

Competition history

• CSEF 2005 Social Sciences (Junior Division Only) · Entry J1708

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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