Boys are far better than girls at science

British boys have outperformed girls in an international science test for 13-year-olds, the study reveals.

The gap between boys' and girls' performance is nearly the widest of any country in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development whose pupils took the test. It is the first time for years that boys' performance in any national curriculum subject has improved at a faster rate.

The results of the tests, taken by 13-year-olds of a wide range of ability in 14 different countries, showed the British boys' score was more than 30 points higher than that of the girls. Only the Czech Republic had a higher differential. In a similar test taken four years ago, the scores of British boys and girls were almost equal.

A maths test taken by pupils of the same age also revealed that boys were doing better than girls, although the gap in marks was only 18 points.

Overall, the results showed a slight improvement in science in Britain from 533 points per pupil to 538 ­ bringing it above the OECD average of 534.

In maths, however, the British results were still below the average. Girls outperform boys in almost every subject at GCSE but the smallest gap between the sexes is in maths and science subjects.

Andreas Schleicher, author of the OECD report, said: "In the UK overall, you do find the gender gaps in performance are quite large compared to other countries."