Listening to classical music while studying improves students' academic performance.

Is it true that listening to classical music while studying improves students' academic performance?

Partly. Evidence on classical music and student performance is mixed and only partial: one Cairo University survey reports classical music enhances concentration and reduces anxiety, while a small randomized study found no significant effect on reading comprehension, and other sources attribute any small cognitive gains to mood rather than classical music itself.

Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 2 sources for, 4 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

The Harmonious Balance: Exploring the Impact of Music on Concentration and Academic Performance Among Cairo University Students. (2024). doi.org. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjedu.20241206.13

Is listening to music while studying distracting?. (2011). skeptics.stackexchange.com. https://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/5268/is-listening-to-music-while-studying-distracting

Shriya, M. (2025). Role of Music in Improving Focus and Memory Retention in Academic Students. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.31579/2637-8892/318

Does listening to classical music "Improve Cognitive Function"?. (2018). skeptics.stackexchange.com. https://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/41214/does-listening-to-classical-music-improve-cognitive-function

The Effect of Listening To Slow-Tempo Classical Music on Reading Comprehension in Students. (2025). doi.org. https://doi.org/10.61994/jpss.v2i4.879

Classical Music, Educational Learning, and Slow Wave Sleep: A Targeted Memory Reactivation Experiment - PMC Lock. (n.d.). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107206