Stanford University professors published updated research in April 2009 that shows some positive correlation between listening to music and higher test scores, but it depends on the type of music. Instrumental music gave students the advantage of higher scores. Music with lyrics appeared to have the opposite effect of interfering with the memory retention of what students were studying.

On the Other: Some Research Claims No Benefit

The Mozart effect is a term coined as the result of a study done in 1993 by the University of California at Irvine that claims listening to Mozart while studying helps create higher test scores. According to Neuroscience for Kids, the study has been replicated many times and it appears to have no benefit at all for boosting test scores. One of the replications suggested the effect of the music made the children tired, which impaired their memory and worsened their scores.

Bottom Line

Listening to music while studying may help in test scores, but the music needs to be instrumental only and not too sedating. Finding a medium rhythm instrumental piece appears to be the best avenue for this technique.

Source:

Washington Education, Nueroscience for Kids: The Musical Brain

Laurence O'Donnell: Music and the Brain

Washington Post: Does Music Interfere with Studying?