Gender differences in Scholastic Aptitude Test: Mathematics problem solving among high-ability students.

This study examined whether male and female students of high mathematical ability use different solution strategies on math problems that had previously yielded gender differences in correct responding. Structured interviews were conducted with high school students who had scored at least 670 on the math portion of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT-M). Eight types of solution strategies could be further dichotomized as conventional or unconventional in approach. Female students were more likely than male students to use conventional strategies. SAT-M scores were correlated with positive attitudes (confidence and persistence) towards math; use of conventional strategies was correlated with negative attitudes (dislike, nonrelevance) toward math