Music and Test Taking Learning Strategies

The relationship of the Washington State Learning Assessment, (WASL) math scores between two 4th-grade classes in the greater Wenatchee area was compared. Class A listened to classical music before taking the test and Class B did not listen to music before taking the test. Any significant differences between their scores were evaluated . The average of each class\u27s test scores was compared without any student\u27s name listed. This study was a normal educational assessment being performed in a normal school setting and parental permission was not required for such activities. Review of the literature supports evidence that it\u27s both reasonable and prudent that exposure to specific kinds of music before and during test taking can help engage the student\u27s brain to recall material at a higher level of concentration. Hence, students should produce a more desirable outcome on tests when incorporating music and brain-based learning strategies