Big rooms with high ceilings may create an environment that affects students’ performance on exams, according to a recent study conducted by Isabella Bower (University of South Australia) and Jaclyn Broadbent (Deakin University). Bower and Broadbent found that while students’ prior coursework had a bigger impact on their exam scores, ceiling height was a significant predictor of their exam scores. This, they suggest, indicates that both study habits and room dimensions contribute to exam scores. The authors conclude by noting that their research brings up additional questions about other environmental conditions—such as room insulation and climate control—as well as the variability introduced by online exams.
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