A new study reveals that grades can drop by 10% if a student suffers from hay fever or allergies. Students may now have an excuse for having low exam results this year.
The study was conducted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and was reported in Mail Online. Using the results of public exams in Norway spanning three years, they found out that performance was significantly lower during high pollen season. Pupils who are allergic to pollen can see their marks drop by 10% if exams coincide with high pollen season and their hay fever plays up. Researchers go as far as saying that the condition can cost an ace student a place at a top university.
Simon Sobstad Bensnes, report author said, "Holding high-stakes exams during pollen season has a large negative effect on allergic students who are subsequently unfairly barred from enrolling in the most prestigious universities. Implementing compensating measures could decrease this effect."
The researchers analyzed the exam results of Norwegian students between 2008 and 2011 with pollen information in the same period. Result shows that on average, test scores were lower by 3% when pollen levels are higher than normal. The study suggests that the rising pollen levels can lower down results as much as 10% for students with hay fever.
The study also concluded that students suffering from hay fever are less likely to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths at Universities. It also added that, "Increases in pollen counts can temporarily reduce cognitive abilities for allergic students, who will score worse relative to their peers on high stake exams, and consequently be at a disadvantage when competing for jobs or higher education." The study also suggests the same negative impact can be possible under different circumstances. In a workplace, it can lower productivity of employees.
One in five people is estimated to suffer from hay fever and this ratio can be higher in the younger bracket. More or less, a quarter of Norway's young population suffer from allergies.
