Make or Break: The Long Run Consequences of High-Stakes Exams

Global Perspectives Series

New briefing paper by CAGE academic Professor Victor Lavy on the long-run consequences of high stakes exams.

This event was held in association with the University of Warwick’s Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGELink opens in a new window).

Download paper here....

Poor performance in high-stakes examinations can have consequences on educational attainment and earnings later in life. With such importance placed on these exam results, what would it mean if random external factors, outside of individual’s control, played a significant role in determining success?

At this event, Professor Lavy outlined new evidence suggesting that even pollution levels can affect performance. Drawing on this research, he will discuss the use of high-stakes exams in the UK, exploring the influence of random external disturbances on attainment and the potential cost to participants in the long term.

The session included an audience Q&A.