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Methylphenidate (Ritalin) does not improve exam performance in an experimental setting

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Overview

Paper Summary › Explain Like I'm Five › Conflicts of Interest › Identified Limitations › Rating Explanation › Good to know › Topic Hierarchy › File Information ›

Paper Summary

Paperzilla title
Ritalin Doesn't Help Exam Scores (Surprise!)

In a study of university students, methylphenidate (MPH/Ritalin) did not improve exam performance, whether taken before studying or before the exam itself. The study had limitations regarding generalizability to other student populations and the artificial exam setting.

Explain Like I'm Five

This study gave students Ritalin before studying or taking an exam to see if it helped. Turns out, Ritalin didn't improve their test scores.

Possible Conflicts of Interest

The study was partly funded by an internal grant from Maastricht University. No other conflicts were identified.

Identified Limitations

Limited generalizability due to specific sample
The study only used university students, which may not represent the general student population or those who typically misuse stimulants for academic enhancement. The high-achieving nature of these students might create a ceiling effect, where MPH has little room to improve already strong performance.
Low ecological validity
The artificial setting of the study, with a single exam on unfamiliar topics, differs significantly from real-world exam pressures and preparation, limiting ecological validity.
Uncontrolled pre-existing knowledge
The study didn't account for potential baseline differences in knowledge of the exam topics, introducing a confounding variable that could influence exam performance regardless of MPH.
Uncontrolled motivation levels
Self-reported motivation to study and perform well on the exam is unreliable, as true levels of motivation are difficult to ascertain and could affect results.

Rating Explanation

This was a reasonably well-designed study with a double-blind placebo-controlled design. However, the limited generalizability, artificial setting, and lack of control for prior topic knowledge significantly limit the impact and applicability of the findings, leading to a rating of 3.

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File Information

Original Title: Methylphenidate (Ritalin) does not improve exam performance in an experimental setting
Uploaded: August 20, 2025 at 04:35 PM
Privacy: Public