Based on the results of the academic year (2016-2017) pilot study, males have better arithmetic skills as assessed by scores on the MUST (Math-Up Skills Test) [Hartman & Nelson, 2016] than females in general chemistry (<i>p</i> &lt; .05), but females outperformed males as indicated by course grades in both general chemistry I and II. One possible reason for this observation is that general chemistry course content tends to be a mixture of algorithmic and conceptual problem solving. The follow-up study has retained the MUST, and added the DAT (Diagnostic Algebra Test) [Cooper & Pearson, 2012]. Discussed will be gender differences as to success in general chemistry courses from six universities in Texas: UNT, UT Austin, TAMU, ACU, TSU, and TAMU-SA and how mathematical competency impacts matriculation to STEM degrees.<br/><br/>

Mathematics competency of males and females in general chemistry and STEM retention

255th National Meeting (2018)

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