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Experiments on Sleeping Before Tests

Everyone who has been a student have taken multiple tests to prove what they have learned. If you are like most, you probably, at times, wish you had done better on a test. According to scientific research, sleeping before a test can aid in scoring better. So forget about cramming all night and, instead, get a good night's sleep.

  1. Reduction in False Memories

    • False memories are defined as the recollection of events that did not occur. Studying or cramming for a test without getting sleep prior to the exam can increase false memories. In a research study conducted by psychologist at Michigan State University, test studies were performed to determine the effects of sleep and lack of sleep prior to taking a test. The study involved participants remembering words that were given several hours before testing. The research concluded that participants who slept prior to taking the word recollection test had fewer false memories than those who didn't get any sleep before testing. The false memories in this study means that some of the participants remembered words that were not a part of the experiment.

    Better Grades in Specific Subjects

    • Your sleep pattern can also affect how you score on certain academic subjects. In an article from Science Daily, researchers conducted various sleep measurements and found that each measurement produced different results. The experiment was conducted on adolescents between 14 and 18 years of age and revealed that certain sleep behaviors were related to higher scores on specific subjects. Students who slept through the night with fewer awakenings scored higher in english, and students who received good quantity and quality sleep scored higher in math.

    Better Overall Academic Performance

    • Getting a good night of sleep is important to be alert and focused throughout the day. Getting adequate sleep is also essential when it comes to exams and overall academic performance. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, to get the best results on exams, studying and sufficient sleep is vital. An experiment conducted through the AASM revealed that students who slept six hours or less each night for two weeks performed as poorly as someone who didn't sleep for 48 hours.

    Tips and Warnings

    • Some adverse effects of insufficient sleep, as noted by the AASM, include poor academic performance and daytime functioning and lower GPA among college students. Some tips to improve test scores involve turning off your TV while studying and winding down by not using TV, computer or phone at least 30 minutes before bedtime.

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