What is the optimal time for maximum daily productivity?
In a groundbreaking study published in the journal "Frontiers in Psychology", researchers from the University of Messina in Italy have discovered that the success rate in exams and job interviews is significantly influenced by the time of day due to the body's internal clock and related factors.
The study, led by Carmelo Mario Vicario, analyzed the performance of over 19,000 students and 680 examiners across more than 1,200 courses at all levels of study from October 2018 to February 2020. The research deliberately excluded the period of the corona pandemic to focus on on-site exams.
The study found a clear peak in performance and passing rates between 11 AM and 1 PM, with lower success observed both in the early morning and late afternoon. The worst results were at 8 o'clock and around 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
The study's findings suggest that biological factors can significantly influence assessments in critical moments. Alessio Avenanti, a co-author of the study, summarizes, "This pattern likely reflects the natural circadian rhythms—the biological processes regulating alertness and cognitive performance over a 24-hour cycle."
The researchers found that the body's internal clock affects mental alertness and cognitive capacity. Most people experience improved focus and cognitive function mid-morning as their internal clock reaches a higher alertness phase, followed by a decline in the afternoon. Night owl chronotypes (often younger individuals) tend to peak later in the day, whereas morning larks (often older examiners or interviewers) peak earlier, creating a mismatch that can impact both candidates and assessors.
Other factors influencing this daily performance variation include sleep quality and chronotype, fatigue and decision fatigue, nutrition, and stress. Proper sleep hygiene and scheduling important assessments during personal peak times are recommended to improve outcomes.
Given these findings, the researchers recommend scheduling exams and job interviews as late in the morning as possible to coincide with the natural peak in cognitive performance for most individuals, thereby maximizing the chances of success and fairness of evaluation.
This study highlights the importance of the internal clock in shaping cognitive performance and success rates during exams and interviews by regulating alertness and mental energy levels throughout the day. Other modifiable factors like sleep, stress, and nutrition also influence outcomes, making timing and individual biological rhythms critical considerations for scheduling high-stakes assessments.
In a fast-paced modern era, where people have to adapt to innovations and changes in ever shorter periods of time, understanding and managing the body's internal clock could provide a competitive edge in critical situations such as university exams and job interviews, where the moment can be decisive.
Science plays a crucial role in understanding the impact of time of day on health-and-wellness, as evidenced by the recent study published in "Frontiers in Psychology". The study, which analyzed the performance of thousands of students and examiners, found that cognitive performance peaks between 11 AM and 1 PM, highlighting the significance of mental health in academic success and job interviews. Similarly, fitness-and-exercise routines may also benefit from considering the body's internal clock to maximize physical and mental well-being.
