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Retaking in High Stakes Exams: Is Less More?

Author

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  • Krishna, Kala
  • Lychagin, Sergey
  • Frisancho, Verónica

Abstract

Placement, both in university and in the civil service, according to performance in competitive exams is the norm in much of the world. Repeat taking of such exams is common despite the private and social costs it imposes. We develop and estimate a structural model of exam retaking using data from Turkey`s university placement exam. Limiting retaking results in all agents gaining ex-ante, and most gaining expost. This result comes from a general equilibrium effect: retakers crowd the market and impose negative spillovers on others by raising acceptance cutoffs.

Suggested Citation

  • Krishna, Kala & Lychagin, Sergey & Frisancho, Verónica, 2016. "Retaking in High Stakes Exams: Is Less More?," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 8311, Inter-American Development Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:idb:brikps:8311
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Joshua Goodman & Oded Gurantz & Jonathan Smith, 2020. "Take Two! SAT Retaking and College Enrollment Gaps," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 12(2), pages 115-158, May.
    2. Bizopoulou, Aspasia & Megalokonomou, Rigissa & Simion, Stefania, 2022. "Do Second Chances Pay Off? Evidence from a Natural Experiment with Low-Achieving Students," IZA Discussion Papers 15139, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Caner, Asena & Demirel-Derebasoglu, Merve & Okten, Cagla, 2019. "Attainment and Gender Equality in Higher Education: Evidence from a Large Scale Expansion," IZA Discussion Papers 12711, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Bertola, Giuseppe, 2024. "Retake opportunities, pass probabilities and preparation for exams," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(1), pages 99-114.
    5. Aspasia Bizopoulou & Rigissa Megalokonomou & Stefania Simion, 2022. "Do Second Chances Pay Off?," Bristol Economics Discussion Papers 22/762, School of Economics, University of Bristol, UK.
    6. Hayri A. Arslan, 2021. "Preference estimation in centralized college admissions from reported lists," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 61(5), pages 2865-2911, November.

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    Keywords

    IDB-WP-758;

    JEL classification:

    • C35 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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