Which of the following best describes the test used in Craig v. Boren to evaluate gender-based laws?

• A. Substantially related to an important government objective
• B. Narrowly-tailored, least restrictive means
• C. Necessarily-related to a compelling government interest
• D. Rational basis with conceivable hypothesis

Answer: (A)

The test is intermediate scrutiny: laws that classify on the basis of gender must be substantially related to an important governmental objective. In Craig v. Boren, the Court treated gender-based classifications with this middle-tier standard, requiring a real connection between the classification and a significant goal, with the means used being substantially related to that objective. This sits between the leniency of rational basis and the strictness of strict scrutiny, which demands compelling interests and narrowly tailored means. The other options describe the stricter strict-scrutiny approach or the deferential rational-basis approach, which is why they aren’t the test applied in this case.