The impact of penalties for wrong answers on the gender gap in test scores

Significance Scholars and policy-makers have been wrestling with the question of how to increase the representation of women in STEM fields. Our evidence from a large-scale policy change on the national college entry exam in Chile points to one factor that impacts the gender gap in test scores among highly talented students. Simply removing penalties for wrong answers reduces a sizeable gender gap in questions skipped. And, in doing so, this policy change narrows the gender gap in test scores, primarily among high-achievers and in the fields of chemistry, social science, and mathematics. If strong test scores are a prerequisite to a career in STEM, it may be that this type of policy change generates increased opportunity for aspiring female scientists.