An analysis of candidates' performance on seven SEC algebra questions

Abstract

This study investigates gender differences among secondary school students in Malta who sat for the SEC Mathematics 2007 Core Paper I in their performance in algebra. A sample of 1125 candidates (545 males and 580 females) of the students who attended Church schools, Independent Schools, Area secondary schools and Junior Lyceums was taken. For each candidate of the sample, seven questions involving algebra were analysed using the original examination papers provided by the MATSEC office. A detailed analysis of the different responses of females and males was also carried out, complemented by a generous amount of excerpts from trather small. However, a very clear difference was observed in the items involving reasoning, with males performing better than females in all these items. Moreover, female candidates outperformed the males in items involving application of knowledge. The results of this study are also discussed in light of the Literature Review.