<p>I haven’t posted on CC in ages but this is an interesting discussion. I’d just like to point out (redundantly, most likely) that we should consider the cultural attitudes facing girls and boys re: college. In my experience, it has been much more culturally acceptable for a young man to drop out of high school or plan against going to college and instead go into a trade, start a business, or work in industry, etc. Girls, on the other hand, are expected to at least try to attend college, and those who drop out are almost always seen as failures (whereas boys in similar situations can be given a pass if they have other plans for their life).</p>
<p>I think this would lead to more girls taking the SAT (which is a known fact), but also more under-prepared or academically-disinclined girls taking it, since they’re often expected to go to college regardless – whereas academically-disinclined boys are more likely to drop out (since that’s an acceptable choice for them).</p>
<p>Just my two cents!</p>