The indoor air quality (IAQ) in classrooms in higher education can influence in-class activities positively. In this context, the
actual IAQ and students' perceived IAQ (PIAQ), perceived cognitive performance (PCP), and short-term academic
performance (SAP) were examined in two identical classrooms during regular academic courses. During the lecture, key
performance indicators (KPI) for the IAQ, i.e. carbon dioxide concentration, particulate matter 2.5, and total volatile organic
compounds, were measured. After the lecture, responses of 163 students were collected with a validated self-composed
questionnaire and a cognitive test, which covered topics discussed during the lecture. A significant association between
the IAQ KPI and the PIAQ was found (p < .000). The PIAQ significantly predicted the PCP (p < .05) and the PCP
significantly predicted the SAP score (p < .01). These results indicate that the IAQ in classrooms is associated with the
PIAQ and PCP, and therefore is associated with students' SAP.
