Why girls score low on SATs baffling: "Carolyn Pasanek, director and owner of Mt. Lebanon Academy, which offers such classes, said she hasn't seen evidence of a gender gap. But, she added, 'I think girls in some respects tend to be more emotional, and anxiety does influence test scores,' she said.

And while she is the first to say her prep courses work, she admits even the relatively low $340 that she charges is generally out of reach for low-income families -- although some scholarship money is available.

'Underprivileged children are at a tremendous disadvantage for this test,' said Pasanek."