Question

Which of the following is a likely indicator of gender bias on the SAT?

a) Males outscore females by about 40 points on the SAT, even though females outperform males in the real world of high school and college.
b) Females' math scores on the SAT have dropped dramatically in recent years, while those of males have remained constant.
c) Males' reading scores on the SAT have dropped dramatically in recent years, while those of females have remained constant.
d) All of the above are examples of gender bias on the SAT

Answer 1

Option a) most likely indicates gender bias on the SAT, as it shows a discrepancy between SAT scores and actual academic performance. Lurking variables such as social and educational differences could contribute to this observed bias. the correct option is a) Males outscore females by about 40 points on the SAT, even though females outperform males in the real world of high school and college.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely indicator of gender bias on the SAT would be: a) Males outscore females by about 40 points on the SAT, even though females outperform males in the real world of high school and college. A direct indicator of gender bias is a consistent pattern where one gender outperforms the other on the SAT, which does not align with the actual academic performance observed in classrooms.

Lurking variables could explain the observed differences in test scores. For instance, males may be encouraged to focus on math, while females might be steered towards language skills. Additionally, educational and societal factors, such as different high school coursework and societal expectations, can also contribute to score disparities.

Gender bias in standardized testing like the SAT may manifest through questions that favor the experiences or educational focus of one gender over the other. This leads to an unfair advantage for one group and could be identified by discrepancies between test scores and real-life academic achievement.