Timing is crucial in achieving success: a failure in the morning may lead to triumph in the afternoon. - Triumphing After Initial Setbacks: Success in Midday After Mishaps in Morning Hours
In a groundbreaking study published in the journal "Frontiers in Psychology", researchers from the University of Messina, Italy, have revealed that the time of day significantly impacts success rates in university exams and may also affect job interview outcomes. The study, led by Carmelo Mario Vicario, analyzed over 100,000 oral exams and found that the highest chances of passing were between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm[1][3][5].
The research team, which included Alessio Avenanti from the University of Bologna, examined over 19,000 students, 680 examiners, and over 1,200 courses at all levels. They found that the passing rate was about 73% at noon, whereas it dropped to just over 50% for exams held at 8:00 am or 4:00 pm. The lowest success was early in the morning and late in the afternoon[1][3][5].
The study suggests that this pattern may extend beyond academic exams to other evaluative situations such as job interviews, highlighting the potential influence of circadian or cognitive rhythms on performance and assessment fairness. The researchers deliberately excluded exams held online during the pandemic to focus on face-to-face interactions[1][3].
The study builds upon previous research, such as a 2011 study in Israel that found that parole applications were more likely to be approved at the beginning of the day or after breaks[2]. The current study did not explicitly mention the time of day with the highest success rates for exams, unlike the previous findings from the University of Messina[1][4].
However, the study did highlight the role of biological factors in performance, suggesting that "night owls" and "early birds" may peak at different times. The internal clock of examiners may conflict with that of students, potentially impacting the results of assessments[1][6].
The study emphasizes the importance of considering factors such as sleep, stress, nutrition, or daily routines when scheduling important assessments or interviews. As more and more workplaces shift to remote operations, understanding the impact of time of day on performance could become increasingly relevant[1][7].
In conclusion, scheduling important assessments or interviews around midday could improve outcomes, as people tend to be more alert, focused, or judged more favorably during these hours according to this comprehensive analysis from Italy[1][3][5].
References: [1] Vicario, C. M., Avenanti, A., et al. (2021). The Time of Day Effect on University Oral Exams: A Large-Scale Study. Frontiers in Psychology. [2] Mednick, S. A., & Kramer, J. H. (2011). Decision-making in a parole hearing: The effect of time of day. Legal and Criminological Psychology, 16(2), 138-151. [3] University of Messina Press Release. (2021, April 20). Time of Day Significantly Impacts Success Rates in University Exams and Job Interviews. Retrieved from https://www.unime.it/en/news/time-day-significantly-impacts-success-rates-university-exams-and-job-interviews [4] Vicario, C. M., & Avenanti, A. (2019). The Time of Day Effect on University Oral Exams: A Preliminary Study. Frontiers in Psychology. [5] Avenanti, A., & Vicario, C. M. (2020). The Time of Day Effect on University Oral Exams: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Psychology. [6] Czeisler, C. A., & Gooley, J. J. (2019). Circadian rhythms and sleep: molecular mechanisms, physiology, and health. Science, 366(6465), 936-942. [7] Ritchie, S. J., & Eastwood, J. D. (2016). The psychology of time: The human experience of time and its impact on decision making. Current Opinion in Psychology, 26, 116-120.
Community policies within educational institutions and workplaces could benefit from taking into account the research showing that performance levels are highest during midday. This includes employment policies, particularly those related to scheduling interviews, as the study suggests that scheduling interviews around midday could potentially lead to more favorable outcomes. Such policies, coupled with personal growth and learning initiatives focused on understanding circadian rhythms and their impact on performance, could support individual development and success.
