Sex differences on the progressive matrices among 15–16 year olds: some data from South Africa

It has been widely asserted that there is no sex difference in mean scores on the Progressive Matrices. This paper presents an alternative theory that a male advantage on the test begins to appear at the age of 15 years. This alternative theory is supported by data for the largest sample hitherto reported consisting of 3979 15–16 year olds in South Africa. In this sample males obtained a significantly higher mean equivalent to 2.35 IQ points among 15 year olds and to 4.65 IQ points among 16 year olds.