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Central Exams and Adult Skills: Evidence from PIAAC

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  • Lisa Leschnig
  • Guido Schwerdt
  • Katarina Zigova

Abstract

Central exams are often hypothesized to favorably affect incentive structures in schools. Indeed, previous research provides vast evidence on the positive effects of central exams on student test scores. But critics warn that these effects may arise through the strategic behavior of students and teachers, which may not affect human capital accumulation in the long run. Exploiting variation in examination types across school systems and over time, we provide the first evidence that central exams positively affect adult skills. However, estimated effects on skills are small and we find no significant average effect on earnings.

Suggested Citation

  • Lisa Leschnig & Guido Schwerdt & Katarina Zigova, 2022. "Central Exams and Adult Skills: Evidence from PIAAC," Economics of Education Working Paper Series 0199, University of Zurich, Department of Business Administration (IBW).
    • Handle: RePEc:iso:educat:0199
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Central exams; adult skills; earnings; PIAAC;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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