Non-Cognitive Predictors: Evidence and Implications for Academic Achievement and Cognitive Processing

Abstract

This is a review of recent findings about the role of non-cognitive variables in predicting academic achievement. Many indices considered up until now, including the Big Five personality measures, have low predictability. This has been supported by the findings from previous TIMSS and PISA large-scale surveys and recent studies based on measures of Social and Emotional Skills. Socio-economic status remains a good predictor but also crucial are psychological measures of self-beliefs (self-efficacy, test anxiety, and confidence).