ABSTRACT
This is the first of three chapters concerning similarities and differences in the achievement of women and men, and the chapter has two objectives. One is to provide an overview of significant recent research on test performance and some important research questions outstanding. Another is to describe our research methods in studying these questions and to provide necessary explanations for terms and technical aspects of the analyses of data that follow in chapters 3 and 4. Chapter 3 focuses on test performance—mostly traditional tests that are widely used in major testing programs or tests included in prominent national surveys. Chapter 4 reports on similarities and differences between women and men on academic grades, special accomplishments, and personal characteristics that can influence achievement. Together, these three chapters provide descriptive data useful in later discussion of possible implications for fair testing, education, and gender equity more generally.
