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Temperature and High-Stakes Cognitive Performance: Evidence from the National College Entrance Examination in China

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  • Joshua S. Graff Zivin
  • Yingquan Song
  • Qu Tang
  • Peng Zhang

Abstract

We provide the first nation-wide estimates on temperature effects on high-stakes cognitive performance in a developing country using data from the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE) in China. The NCEE is one of the most important institutions in China and affects hundreds of millions of families. We find that a one-standard-deviation increase in temperature (3.29° C) decreases the total test score by 1.12% (9.62% of a standard deviation) and decreases the probability of getting into first-tier universities by 1.97% (4.38% of a standard deviation). This suggests that temperature plays an important role in high-stakes cognitive performance and has potentially far-reaching impacts for the careers and lifetime earnings of students.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua S. Graff Zivin & Yingquan Song & Qu Tang & Peng Zhang, 2018. "Temperature and High-Stakes Cognitive Performance: Evidence from the National College Entrance Examination in China," NBER Working Papers 24821, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:24821
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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