Sex and Background Factors: Effect on ASAT Scores

Abstract

Data sets from Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and Western Australia were analysed using a causal model proposed by Adams (1984) to determine the possible causes of sex differences in ASAT scores. In Queensland and the ACT it was found that the observed differences could be explained in terms of differences in students’ English scores, the time students spent studying mathematics, and their confidence in success. In Western Australia it was found that sex had a significant effect on ASAT scores after taking into account the variables mentioned above, but there was some question as to whether the Western Australian sample was truly representative of the Western Australian population.