The Effect of Music as a Distraction on Test-Taking Performance

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Abstract
This study was conducted to test a common sense assumption that test administrators must carefully attend to the atmosphere of the test-taking situation. Four groups of subjects were randomly assigned to one of four music conditions which were used as distractors during testing. The one control group experienced optimal testing conditions as defined by accepted standards. Results on arithmetic, spelling, and self-concept measures indicated no differences in mean test scores across groups, regardless of test condition. It is suggested that since a variety of noises is a normal part of our environment, music as a distractor is not a new experience for test-takers and therefore not distracting in a test situation.

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