Examining Gender Differences in TIMSS 2019 Using a Multiple-Group Hierarchical Speed-Accuracy-Revisits Model

Abstract

This study capitalizes on response and process data from the computer-based TIMSS 2019 Problem Solving and Inquiry tasks to investigate gender differences in test-taking behaviors and their association with mathematics achievement at the eighth grade. Specifically, a recently proposed hierarchical speed-accuracy-revisits (SAR) model was adapted to multiple country-by-gender groups to examine the extent to which mathematics ability, response speed, revisit propensity, and the relationship among them differ between boys and girls. Results across 10 countries showed that boys responded to items faster on average than girls, and there was greater variation in boys’ response speed across students. A mixture distribution of revisit propensity was found for all country-by-gender groups. Both genders had moderate to strong negative correlations between mathematics ability and response speed, supporting the speed-accuracy tradeoff pattern reported in the literature. Results are discussed in the context of low-stakes assessments and in relation to the utility of the multiple-group SAR model.