Gender composition, social context, and academic performance in high-stakes examinations

Hai Huang, Wei Huang, Xinzheng Shi and Ming-ang Zhang

Journal of Development Economics, 2025, vol. 176, issue C

Abstract: This study examines how gender composition in high-stakes examination settings affects academic performance, using data from over 250,000 students in China's National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao). Leveraging random seating assignments, we show that female students significantly improve their scores and increase their chances of university admission when seated with more female peers, particularly those in immediate view. Male students show no significant response. These positive effects are stronger in regions with greater gender equality and weaker Confucian norms, highlighting the role of local social contexts. Our findings suggest that gender composition and social environment significantly influence academic outcomes in competitive settings, with implications for reducing gender disparities in education.

Keywords: Gender composition; High-stakes examination; Social norms; Gender disparities; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I21 I24 J16 Z10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:deveco:v:176:y:2025:i:c:s0304387825000604

DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2025.103509

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