In this paper a simple economic model is employed to analyse the deter
minants of expected study duration and weekly effort. Although some of
the outcomes do not fit into our theoretical framework, a substantial
number of the results support the hypothesis that the duration/effort
ratio is determined by the relative prices of these inputs of the lea
rning process. We find that a higher socio-economic status increases t
he duration/effort ratio. Children from higher income families and/or
with more highly education parents expect longer durations and/or inve
st less weekly effort. For experienced students, the prediction that h
igher ability levels will decrease both effort and duration is confirm
ed by the findings. We consider this to be a result firmly in favour o
f our model.