November 2019

IZA DP No. 12768: Math Matters! The Importance of Mathematical and Verbal Skills for Degree Performance

published in: Economics Letters, 2020, 186, 1-5

We find that mathematics skills have a stronger relationship to university performance than verbal skills. While both are predictive of degree completion and class of degree obtained, mathematics skills have a larger effect, and are particularly predictive of achieving a first-class honours degree and of high achievement in STEM courses.