Team member John provides the background for why we conducted this survey, and breaks down the key findings.
Impact On Time Spent Studying
Key Finding: 32% of college students say they spend less time studying during March Madness
We were curious to see how NCAA March Madness impacts the amount of time college students spend studying when games are ongoing. Specifically, we wanted to know whether students spend more, less, or the same amount of time on their academics. As we hypothesized, it appears a significant number of college students do in fact reduce the amount of time they spend studying during March Madness. Although the level of reduction in study time is unclear from these results, these findings are intriguing nonetheless.
Alcohol Consumption
Key Finding: 29% of college students say they drink more during March Madness
In addition to academics, we wanted to gauge how the NCAA March Madness tournament impacts alcohol consumption among college students. Specifically, we were curious as to whether students drink more, less, or the same amount of alcohol while the tournament is ongoing. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the atmosphere of the event, survey results indicate that a significant number of college students do in fact increase their alcohol consumption during March Madness. Although the level of increase in alcohol consumption is unclear from these results, these findings are informative.
Recent Assignments & Tests
Key Finding: 31% of college students say they have received feedback on an assignment or exam during March Madness that is not indicative of their typical performance
In an attempt to quantify empirical drops in academic performance, we specifically polled students as to whether they have received a poor grade on an assignment or exam during the period of time that the NCAA March Madness tournament has been ongoing. Interestingly, survey results indicate that a significant number of college students have in fact received poor marks during this timeframe. Although the level of deviation from typical academic performance is unclear from these results, these findings are informative.
Self-Assessment
Key Finding: 22% of college students self-admit that March Madness has negatively impacted their academic performance
To contrast empirical data about grades received during the NCAA March Madness tournament, we further asked college students to self-assess their academic performance during this time period. Specifically, we asked students whether they believed their academic performance has been better, worse, or the same during the March Madness tournament. Interestingly, in contradiction of the empirical evidence suggested by grades received, survey results indicate fewer than expected college students admit to having performed poorly during this timeframe.
Sports Betting
Key Finding: 22% of college students say they have bet on March Madness games so far
Out of curiosity, given the shifting winds around sports betting in the United States, as a final question in the poll, we asked college students about their gambling on NCAA March Madness games. Specifically, we were curious as to whether students have placed bets on any games during this tournament. Interestingly, survey results indicate that almost a quarter of college students have placed at least one bet on March Madness games. Although the dollar value of these bets is unclear from these results, these findings are instructive of current sports gambling.
Methodology
All data found within this report derives from a survey commissioned by TestPrepInsight.com and conducted online by survey platform Pollfish. In total, 1,000 undergraduate college students were surveyed (49% self-identifying male, 46% self-identifying female, 5% preferred not to identify).
Appropriate respondents were found via Pollfish’s demographic tools and a screening question. All respondents were asked to answer all questions truthfully and to the best of their abilities. Any questions can be directed to info@testprepinsight.com.
