Data that were originally gathered during the 1978-1990, 1994, and 1996 Scottish School Leavers Surveys were subjected to a secondary analysis to identify the qualifications, characteristics, and choices of high-attaining female school leavers. The following were among the key findings of the analysis: (1) on average, young women from all social backgrounds had higher attainment than did young men with the same social background; (2) no evidence was found that the gender gap varied between schools; (3) compared with young men, young women had higher average standard grade attainment and were more likely to remain in school after age 16; (4) having friends who took school seriously was related to high attainment, and more young women than young men had peer groups that took school seriously; (5) gender differences in subject choice emerged in S5/S6, after subject choices are no longer restricted; (6) like lower-achieving students, high-attainers showed traditional gender-specific preferences for certain subjects in S5/S6; (7) high-attaining young women were less likely to enter higher education than were higher-attaining young men, although they were equally likely to apply; and (8) the issues involved in redressing gender inequality for young women differ from those for young men. (Contains 18 references.) (MN)