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Signals of aptitude and female STEM career choices

Author

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  • Agurto, Marcos
  • Boisvert, Sandra
  • Hari, Siddharth
  • Quevedo, Valeria
  • Sarangi, Sudipta
  • Vegas, Susana

Abstract

Gender disparities in STEM field participation persist widely across all levels. This study examines whether signals about academic aptitude influence participation in STEM fields. We draw on 10 years of administrative data on aptitude tests administered by a private university in Peru to approximately 3,000 high school students annually. Prior to taking the exam, students indicate their non-binding preferences for college majors. Admission to majors is based on cutoff scores on the exam. Using a regression discontinuity design, we find that among students whose preferred major was not engineering, meeting the engineering math cutoff increases the probability of enrolling in engineering by 10–12 percentage points. These effects are particularly strong and statistically significant for female students. We also find evidence that the signal had a positive effect on graduation from engineering. Our results highlight the importance of external validation in shaping career decisions and carry important policy implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Agurto, Marcos & Boisvert, Sandra & Hari, Siddharth & Quevedo, Valeria & Sarangi, Sudipta & Vegas, Susana, 2025. "Signals of aptitude and female STEM career choices," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:109:y:2025:i:c:s0272775725001074
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2025.102727
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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