Pupils' performance on a teacher-made mathematics test: The interaction effects of sex, class and stream with age as a covariate

This study aims to establish the influence of pupils' age, sex, educational standard and educational stream on performance in a teacher-made mathematics achievement test. An achievement test was used in order to determine the effects and interaction effects of pupils' characteristics (sex, class, stream and age) on performance in mathematics. The data obtained on the variables of pupils' sex, class, stream and age were analysed by means of ANCOVA and ANOVA respectively. Results indicated significant interaction effects for sex and class in relation to understanding of mathematical concepts, diagrams and definitions; as well as interactions between class and stream in respect of concept identification in mathematics. The variables of stream, sex and age had significant effects on achievement in mathematics. The results are discussed and implications for classroom practice highlighted.