Age and Gender Differences in Performance on a Spatial Rotation Test

Abstract

This study investigated differential group performance on a spatial rotation test. A 19-item multiple-choice test was administered to a random sample of 107 students in grades 5 to 8 in an elementary school and a gymnasium (secondary school) in Cyprus. No gender differences were found on the overall score or on item-level performance. Items involving three-dimensional representations were on average more difficult than two-dimensional ones. Gymnasium students (grades 7 and 8) were more likely to answer more items correctly and scored significantly higher on the three-dimensional items. (Contains 4 tables, 2 figures, and 16 references.) (Author/SLD)