Who Performs Better Under Time Pressure? Results from a Field Experiment

Abstract

We investigate whether and how affects performance. We conducted a field experiment in which students from an Italian University are proposed to choose between two exam schemes: a standard scheme without and an alternative scheme consisting of two written intermediate tests, one of which to be taken under pressure. Both exam schemes consist of a verbal and a numerical part, each carrying half of the total marks. Students deciding to sustain the alternative exam are randomly assigned to a time pressure and a pressure group. Students performing under at the first test perform in absence of at the second test and vice versa. We find that being exposed to exerts a negative and statistically significant impact on students' performance both at the verbal and at the numerical task. The effect is driven by a strong negative impact on females' performance, while there is no statistically significant effect on males. Gender differences in handling are relevant only when dealing with the verbal task. Using data on students' expectations, we also find that the effect produced by on performance was correctly perceived by students. Female students expect a lower grade when working under pressure, while males do not.