De nationella SO-provens effekt på betyg – insikter från ett lotteriexperiment

Abstract

Students in grade 9 receive grades in all four social science subjects. In subjects with national tests, results must be given particular weight in grading. Since the tests in the four subjects are randomly assigned across schools, each school takes only one test but assigns grades in all subjects. This allows estimation of the effect of standardized tests on grades by comparing schools that received a test in a given subject with those that did not. Using data from 2013-2023, the study shows - consistent with international research - that tests generally raise grades. Differences between school providers are small, but effects vary with the share of students with foreign background and are weaker in municipalities with strong school competition. This suggests higher overall grading in competitive areas and that tests may be used to acquit rather than penalize students. The findings raise questions about the purpose and future role of national tests.