I hardly think it's a big deal that the genders are a bit divided - one doing better than the other in one subject here or another subject there. In the end, women are more likely to stay in and complete college which is something worth noting.
What concerns me, actually, is that average scores have declined for BOTH male and female since peaking around 2005.
At the same time, the SAT is only one method of testing at the college entry level. The ACT, Compass and other entry exams? What about those when they're factored in?
Well this is different. Studying and taking tests is one thing, but choosing your career path is another. These STEM fields that they're referring to (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) are heavily dominated by males. That sets up tension and all sorts of potential problems. For many women that arena is off putting due to their minority status as female. There might be some gender tension and unfavorable job outlooks as a result such as: will men take a female engineer seriously? Will various job platforms be flexible for new mothers - not just in mentality toward women and mothers, but in practical means such as job hours?
I took some years away from college but this year I had to focus myself yet again and briefly considered a degree in Computer Science . . . but opted out (going for Marketing/Advertising with a minor in Tech Writing/Editing and Management). . . why so? One main reason: I'm a mother and hour-job wise, being in that field will put me away from family for an extended period of time. I'm not willing to spend any length of time in a career that requires me to be away from my children (such as being stationed overseas for part of my schooling or potential career future).
Instead, I'm finishing a degree that will allow me to have highly flexible hours and further myself as what I am currently doing: Self Employed / Freelance Editor / Self Published Author. My hours are fully flexible, I'll be able to support and see my kids and grandkids, and the arena I'm in is dominated by women rather than men.
And yet - this is something that can be fixed or at least will naturally settle different, in some ways, if there were just more women in these fields.