Middle school and high school student tend to have higher scores on standardized tests if they play a musical instrument. The younger a student started playing an instrument the higher they score on the tests, particularly in math, science and English. Elementary school students who receive music education score higher on tests involving fractions because of their experience with rhythm notation. Music students also score higher on the SATs at the end of high school.
Students who are exposed to musical education and play music instruments tend to get better grades in school. Music students also receive more academic awards and academic honors. Music students are better equipped to understand math and science concepts because they have learned to play a musical instrument.
Students who have trouble in school, have fallen behind their peers academically or are considered underachievers can benefit from music education. After learning to play an instrument and receiving music education, struggling students have been shown to progress more quickly and catch up with their peers in the classroom.
College students who received music education in early and high school years appear to be better able to handle the stress associated with university life than those who had no music education. The self-esteem appears higher in these young adults and these students are more likely to have the ability to resist the temptation of drugs and alcohol. College students who received earlier music education also perform better academically in college.
Students who receive music education in high school and earlier will also benefit from music education in college. Students who graduate from college with music as their major are more likely to get accepted into medical school than students who were not music majors. According to the American Music Conference, about 66 percent of music students who apply to medical school are accepted. This is a higher percentage than some math or science majors.