Final answer:
Intermediate scrutiny is applied to cases involving gender or sex discrimination, whereas strict scrutiny is used for cases involving racial, ethnic, religious, or national origin discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The heightened scrutiny test, also known as intermediate scrutiny, is applied to cases where discrimination based on gender or sex is alleged. The intermediate scrutiny standard requires the government to prove that the law or policy treating men and women differently is "substantially related to an important governmental objective." This level of review falls between the most stringent strict scrutiny standard applied to discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, or religion, and the rational basis test, which is used for most other forms of discrimination.
In contrast, the strict scrutiny standard is applied when a case involves discrimination against members of racial, ethnic, or religious groups or those of various national origins, which requires the government to demonstrate a compelling interest and that the discriminatory action is the least restrictive means to achieve that interest.