Data Analysis Project 

     After analyzing this dataset on student exam performance, the data reviled a variety of information that had not previously been known. As a college student myself, I was already able to form certain assumptions, however completing this project prompted me to examine different behaviors and circumstances that would have ordinarily been ignored. Based on the dataset, there is statistical evidence that out of the various subjects that the students were tested over, the males had the lead in math. While the girls exceeded the male average in reading and writing. When used by management, this could come in handy when hiring employees for a company. If they needed an accountant, perhaps looking to hire a man could bring you more potential candidates. However if the company needed to hire a secretary or an auditor, perhaps a female would offer the most benefit. 

     Like everything else, tests are something that require some skill behind the knowledge. Knowing how to study more efficiently and what topics to cover can play a significant role in the outcome of the exam. This is one of the reasons that taking the test preparation course improved the average of all of those who took the exam. The students who took the extra time to take the preparation course usually scored at least ten percent higher than those who did not take it. If the owner of a business were to use this information, he would note that it would be prudent to include some sort of training course after hiring new employees. This would no doubt increase employee productivity and skill. 

     When it comes to the education of the students parent, the data does indeed show that the higher the level of education of the parents, the better the students exam score. This could be attributed to the environment that the student grew up in, perhaps enjoying more money and encouraged to spend more time on their studies. There does not seem to be a dramatic relation between students who have parents with master's degrees and whether or not the student has taken a preparation course. However the majority of those who took the preparation course had parents with a bachelor's degree and above. This information can be used to help determine the motivations and long term ambitions of the student. According to this dataset, those students who have  parents with a higher level of education are more likely to seek a higher paying, or more influential job position. When dealing with employees, it allows management to determine how dedicated to the company the employee may be, as well as establish a favorable background. 

     The question regarding whether or not a free lunch would improve your test grades better than a standard lunch was interesting. It was a mystery to even myself why the students lunch was related to the better scores. However after performing the calculations, it became apparent that those who had the standard lunch performed much better on all three of the exams, with almost an eight percent lead on the total average. A few of the reasons I believe that this could have occurred is that out of the one-thousand-one students, only three-hundred and fifty-six ate a free/reduced lunch. The only other relation that could be found was that the majority of those who's parents bad a bachelor's degree and above ate a standard lunch, and the majority of those who had a free lunch, had not taken the test preparation course. Those students who spent a regular amount of money on their food were perhaps more conscious of their spending, and therefore were more determined to achieve success. Or perhaps it was because those who bought their meals at regular price were not as concerned about price because their parents had higher level degrees. This would cause them to have a standard lunch, but still be motivated to achieve success. According to the data, It is entirely possible that employers could use this data to help determine the ideal candidates to hire based upon motivation. Howver, it did not mention in the data those students who took the time to make their own lunch or skipped lunch all together. This could have provided greater insight into the behaviors and characteristics of these students.