This study analyzes the gap between the expected final grades of students and the actual grades they obtain in Maths and Statistics at a Business School in Barcelona. Students' perceptions can vary widely depending on individual experiences, previous education levels, or neuropsychological patterns. The study aims to investigate the direction (negative or positive) of these perceptions, as they are not always realistic and largely depend on external conditions.

The analysis was conducted over two years, involving a total of 299 students from two Bachelor Degrees: Business Administration and Business Transformation, and Marketing and Digital Communication. Students were divided into two groups. The first group answered a questionnaire about their expected grade for the final exam immediately after completing the exam. The second group was asked about their expected final grade on the first day of the course.

The difference between reality and expectations was analyzed using a fundamental parametric statistical method, considering the gender of the students and the moment in which the question was formulated. The tests revealed significant differences, highlighting a higher negative perception among women, which suggests a more pessimistic perception in the long-term analysis.

An extension of the study was conducted on the second group, analyzing other aspects related to grade perception. Results showed that the difference between actual and expected grades is also associated with several qualitative factors, such as difficulty in mathematical competencies, preference for the subject, or the importance assigned to professional future.

Keywords: Perceptual Gap, Academic Perception, Degree Discrepancy, Gender Effect, Student Expectations.