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Gender Differences in Reactions to Failure in High-Stakes Competition: Evidence from the National College Entrance Exam Retakes

Author

Listed:
  • Le Kang
  • Ziteng Lei
  • Yang Song
  • Peng Zhang

Abstract

We document gender differences in reactions to failure in the National College Entrance Exam in China. Using administrative data from Ningxia province and a regression discontinuity design, we find that students who narrowly miss the tier-2 university cutoff exhibit an 8 percentage point increase in their likelihood of retaking the exam, and that retaking improves exam performance substantially. Notably, the response to this failure is much larger for men than for women. Survey evidence suggests that gender differences in psychological costs of retaking, parental education expectations, and some noncognitive traits can explain an important part of gender differences in retake willingness.

Suggested Citation

  • Le Kang & Ziteng Lei & Yang Song & Peng Zhang, 2024. "Gender Differences in Reactions to Failure in High-Stakes Competition: Evidence from the National College Entrance Exam Retakes," Journal of Political Economy Microeconomics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 2(2), pages 355-397.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jpemic:doi:10.1086/729535
    DOI: 10.1086/729535
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    Cited by:

    1. Abrahams, Scott, 2026. "Gender differences in choosing fast and slow: Evidence from competitive powerlifting," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    2. Katherine Coffman & David Klinowski, 2025. "Gender and Preferences for Performance Feedback," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 71(4), pages 3497-3516, April.
    3. Roberto Asmat & Karol J. Borowiecki & Marc T. Law, 2024. "Competing for Equality: Gender Bias Among Juries in International Piano Competitions, 1890-2023," ACEI Working Paper Series AWP-03-2024, Association for Cultural Economics International.
    4. Chen, Liping & Lin, Jiada & Wang, Zhifeng, 2026. "Externalities of the personality traits: The effect of peer personality on students’ mental health," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    5. Veronica Frisancho & Sebastian Gallegos & Constanza González, 2026. "Lasting Effects of Retaking College Admission Exams," Working Papers 2026-004, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    6. Sirui Li & Philip Verwimp, 2024. "Standardized Testing for College Entrance: Evidence from a Major Examination Reform in China," Working Papers ECARES 2024-17, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.

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