According to the latest scientific studies, the best music to listen to while studying is:
- slow to medium paced - this means no heavy metal or industrial rock
- instrumental - singing distracts you because you always try to listen to the words even if you don't think you are
- soft - the volume should be loud enough to hear, but soft enough so that you can't really notice the music.
- without loud percussion - no heavy drums or bass
The reason that music helps you to study is that it drowns out distracting background noises like traffic, construction, and other people talking.
- Neither rock music nor country music is considered particularly suited for study and television is even worse. They distract the brain from concentrating on the task at hand. Music without words playing at a low level in the background can help mask other noise distractions. Ideally, the study should be done in the same position and to the same conditions as the test will be taken in. If you take the test laying down on your belly, that is the best position to study in. Since most tests are given at a desk, that is a better position to be in to study.
- I agree with the above, but if you had to choose some music (for example, maybe you needed to cover up some other sounds that were distracting you), I would choose rock music. The reason is that country music songs are mostly stories and it is easier to listen to music where the words don't mean much. The purpose would be to have background music that you don't want to really hear. Of course, in both cases, it is better to have the music low. On a personal note, I studied to the 50s rock songs when I was in high school and was 4th in my class standings. I agree with the top also, but if i had to choose a type of genre to listen to I would say rock.
- Classical music can be best, because it is complex yet relaxing, so it stimulates. Often it is less distracting than other popular music types because of this, and the fact there are often no words helps too. Listening to someone speak/talk takes more concentration than simple music.
- I have heard and believe that listening to Mozart music improves the brain's capacity to understand and work mathematics problems. Use this Google search to find out more (it is not a link) Mozart and mathematical comprehension.