Distressing testing: A propensity score analysis of high-stakes exam failure and mental health

This study used rich individual-level registry data covering the entire Norwegian population to identify students aged 17–21 who either failed a high-stakes exit exam or who received the lowest passing grade from 2006 to 2018. Propensity score matching on high-quality observed characteristics was ut...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Beck, Kathryn Christine, Røhr, Helene Lie, Reme, Bjørn-Atle, Flatø, Martin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adolescents
exam failure
mental health
Online Access:Request full text
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Summary:This study used rich individual-level registry data covering the entire Norwegian population to identify students aged 17–21 who either failed a high-stakes exit exam or who received the lowest passing grade from 2006 to 2018. Propensity score matching on high-quality observed characteristics was utilized to allow meaningful comparisons (N = 18,052, 64% boys). Results showed a 21% increase in odds of receiving a psychological diagnosis among students who failed the exam. Adolescents were at 57% reduced odds of graduating and 44% reduction in odds of enrolling in tertiary education 5 years following the exam. Results suggest that failing a high-stakes exam is associated with mental health issues and therefore may impact adolescents more broadly than captured in educational outcomes.