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Paying for better test scores

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  • Gerald Eisenkopf

Abstract

The paper investigates if the provision of financial incentives has an impact on the performance of students in educational tests. The analysis is based on data from an experiment with high school students who answered multiple-choice items from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). As in TIMSS, the setup did not discourage students from guessing. Students with a salary based on individual performance did not score significantly better than students with a fixed payout or a payout based on the performance of the entire group. However, incentives have an impact. The group with individualized payments showed significantly more guessing activities than the others.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerald Eisenkopf, 2011. "Paying for better test scores," Education Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(4), pages 329-339, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:edecon:v:19:y:2011:i:4:p:329-339
    DOI: 10.1080/09645290903546330
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. De Fraja, Gianni & Landeras, Pedro, 2006. "Could do better: The effectiveness of incentives and competition in schools," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(1-2), pages 189-213, January.
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    1. Jalava, Nina & Joensen, Juanna Schrøter & Pellas, Elin, 2015. "Grades and rank: Impacts of non-financial incentives on test performance," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 161-196.

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