Oxbridge Exam System Criticized for Gender Disparity

A report highlights how final-year exams and institutional practices may disadvantage female students at Oxford and Cambridge.

The Higher Education Policy Institute report suggests that premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and risk-aversion contribute to lower first-class degree rates for women at Oxbridge.
Men are more likely to achieve first-class degrees at Oxford and Cambridge, while women generally outperform men at other UK universities.
The report calls for reforms in assessment methods, advocating for a balance between exams and coursework to address gender disparities.
Representation issues and a 'combative' teaching style at Oxbridge are also identified as potential factors affecting female students' performance.
Both universities acknowledge the issue and have committed to investigating and addressing the gender gap in degree outcomes.