This study examines the problem of underachievement among gifted high school students. Low achievers were compared to high and moderate achievers on their motivation, self-regulation, motivational goals, goal orientations, and attitudes toward their school and teachers and class. Participants were all highly able students from grades 10 and 11 in two academically selective high schools, one in Amman, Jordan (n=169) and the other in New South Wales, Australia (n=197).