Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study

TIMSS 8th grade average Mathematics scores (2019)

TIMSS 8th grade average Science scores (2019)

TIMSS 4th grade average Mathematics scores (2019)

TIMSS 4th grade average Science scores (2019)

The International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA)'s Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) ^[1] is a series of international assessments of the mathematics and science knowledge of students around the world. The participating students come from a diverse set of educational systems (countries or regional jurisdictions of countries) in terms of economic development, geographical location, and population size. In each of the participating educational systems, a minimum of 4,000 to 5,000 students is evaluated. Contextual data about the conditions in which participating students learn mathematics and science are collected from the students and their teachers, their principals, and their parents via questionnaires. ^[2]

TIMSS is one of the studies established by IEA aimed at allowing educational systems worldwide to compare students' educational achievement and learn from the experiences of others in designing effective education policy. This assessment was first conducted in 1995, and has been administered every four years thereafter. Therefore, some of the participating educational systems have trend data across assessments from 1995 to 2019. ^[3] TIMSS assesses 4th and 8th grade students, while TIMSS Advanced assesses students in the final year of secondary school in advanced mathematics and physics.

Definition of terms

"Eighth grade" in the United States is approximately 13–14 years of age and equivalent to:

• Year 9 (Y9) in England and Wales
• 2nd Year (S2) in Scotland
• 2nd Year in the Republic of Ireland
• 1st Year in South Africa
• Form 2 in Hong Kong
• 4ème in France
• Year 9 in New Zealand
• Form 2 in Malaysia

"Fourth grade" in the United States is approximately equivalent to 9–10 years of age and equivalent to:

• Year 5 (Y5) in England and Wales
• Primary 6 (P6) in Scotland
• Group 6 in the Netherlands
• CM1 in France
• Fourth Class in the Republic of Ireland
• Standard 3 or Year 5 in New Zealand

History

A precursor to TIMSS was the First International Mathematics Study (FIMS) performed in 1964 in 11 countries for students aged 13 and in the final year of secondary education (FS) under the auspices of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). This was followed in 1970–1971 by the First International Science Study (FISS) for students aged 10, 14, and FS. Fourteen countries tested 10-year-olds; 16 countries tested the older two groups. These were replicated between 1980 and 1984. ^[4]

These early studies were revised and combined by the IEA to create TIMSS, which was first administered in 1995. It was the largest international student assessment study of its time and evaluated students in five grades. In the second cycle (1999) only eighth-grade students were tested. In the next cycles (2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015) both 4th and 8th grade students were assessed. The 2011 cycle was performed in the same year as the IEA's Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), offering a comprehensive assessment of mathematics, science and reading for the countries participating in both studies. The sixth cycle was conducted in 2015, and the results were released in 2016; ^[5] the data set was published in February 2017. TIMSS 2015 included data collected from parents for the first time. ^[6] TIMSS Advanced, previously conducted in 1995 and 2008, was also conducted in 2015, and assessed final-year secondary students' achievement in advanced mathematics and physics. Policy-relevant data about curriculum emphasis, technology use, and teacher preparation and training accompanies the TIMSS Advanced results.

The seventh cycle of TIMSS was conducted in 2019 and marked the beginning of the transition to a digital assessment format, with the digital assessment administered to half of participating countries, and the paper assessment administered to the remaining half. 64 countries and 8 benchmarking systems participating in TIMSS 2019. Results were released in December 2020. ^[7]

Preparations are underway for TIMSS 2023.

Method, data and documentation

Along with the overall students' achievement data, TIMSS comprehensive assessments include data on student performance in various mathematics and science domains (algebra, geometry, biology, chemistry, etc.) and on performance in the problem solving challenges in each of these contexts. In addition, TIMSS provides contextual data on crucial curricular, instructional, and resource-related factors that can impact the teaching and learning process. These data are gathered using student, teacher, school, and curriculum (national) questionnaires filled out by students, teachers, school principals and National Research Coordinators, respectively.

According to the TIMSS 2019 Assessment Frameworks, "The TIMSS mathematics and science achievement scales were created with the first TIMSS assessment in 1995, separately for each subject and each grade. The scale units were established so that 100 points on the scale was equivalent to one standard deviation of the distribution of achievement across all of the countries that participated in TIMSS 1995, and the scale midpoint of 500 was located at the mean of this international achievement distribution. The TIMSS achievement scales were first used for reporting TIMSS results with TIMSS 1995, and all results from subsequent TIMSS assessments have been reported on the same scale metrics, making it possible to measure growth or decline in countries' achievement distributions from assessment to assessment." ^[8]

Because TIMSS is administered in four-year cycles, it enables participating counties to use the results between the fourth and eighth grades to track the changes in achievement and certain background factors from an earlier study. For example, results of the fourth grade in TIMSS 1995 can be compared with the results of the eighth grade in TIMSS 1999, as fourth graders had become eighth graders in the next cycle of study. ^[9]

The collected information is presented in different formats. For example, for TIMSS 2019 the results are presented as TIMSS 2019 International Results in Mathematics and Science TIMSS 2019 International Results in Mathematics and Science. ^[10] The TIMSS 2019 Encyclopedia ^[11] provides an overview of how mathematics and science are taught in each participating country. Methods and Procedures: TIMSS 2019 Technical Report ^[12] documents the development of the TIMSS assessments and questionnaires, and describes the methods used. The TIMSS 2019 User Guide for the International Database describes the content and format of the data in the TIMSS 2019 International Database ^[13]

The IEA has developed an application for working with data from TIMSS and other IEA large-scale assessments called the IEA International Database (IDB) Analyzer. ^[14] This application allows researchers to combine data files and facilitates some types of statistical analysis (such as computing means, percentages, percentiles, correlations, and estimating single level multiple linear regression). The application takes into account the complex sample structure of the databases when calculating the statistics and their standard errors. It also allows researchers to estimate achievement scores and their standard errors.

For an overview of the IEA study results and interpretation of information, see IEA's Data Visualizer. ^[15]

Cycles

TIMSS 2019

TIMSS 2019 was the seventh cycle of TIMSS and reported overall achievement as well as results according to international benchmarks, by major content domains (number, algebra, and geometry in mathematics, and earth science, biology, and chemistry in science) and by cognitive domains (knowing, applying, reasoning). ^[16] TIMSS 2019 collected detailed information about curriculum and curriculum implementation of participating countries and published this information the TIMSS 2019 Encyclopedia: Education Policy and Curriculum in Mathematics and Science. ^[17]

TIMSS 2019 marked the transition to a digital assessment format, allowing for new and innovative item types. In the digital assessment, students solved problems by interacting with shapes and patterns, arranging items on the screen, dragging and dropping items, and drawing. The digital version of TIMSS 2019 also introduced Problem Solving and Inquiry tasks that simulated real-world and laboratory situations and called for students to integrate and apply process skills and content knowledge. Half of the participating countries took the paper version of TIMSS and half of the participating countries took the digital version of TIMSS.

TIMSS 2019 results are summarized in TIMSS 2019 International Results in Mathematics and Science. ^[7] This detailed report presents achievement and contextual data from participating countries and benchmarking entities. The TIMSS 2019 Encyclopedia: Education Policy and Curriculum in Mathematics and Science describes various features of the education systems in each participating country, including the mathematics and science curriculum, professional development requirements for teachers, and methods of monitoring student progress in mathematics and science. Each country's "chapter" in the encyclopedia was authored by that country's TIMSS representative. ^[17]

Eighth grade

Mathematics [18] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   Singapore 616 5 points 2   Chinese Taipei 612 13 points 3   South Korea 607 1 point 4   Japan 594 8 points 5   Hong Kong 578 16 points 6   Russia 543 5 points 7   Ireland 524 1 point 8   Lithuania 520 9 points 9   Israel 519 8 points 10   Australia 517 12 points 10   Hungary 517 3 points 12   United States 515 3 points 12   England 515 3 points 14   Finland 509 N/A 15   Norway [a] 503 9 points 15   Sweden 503 2 points 17   Cyprus 501 N/A 18   Portugal 500 N/A International average 500 19   Italy 497 3 points 20   Turkey 496 38 points 21   Kazakhstan 488 40 points 22   France 483 N/A 23   New Zealand 482 11 points 24   Bahrain 481 27 points 25   Romania 479 N/A 26   United Arab Emirates 473 8 points 27   Georgia 461 8 points 27   Malaysia 461 4 points 29   Iran 446 8 points 30   Qatar 443 6 points 31   Chile 441 14 points 32   Lebanon 429 13 points 33   Jordan 420 34 points 34   Egypt 413 21 points 35   Oman 411 8 points 36   Kuwait 403 11 points 37   Saudi Arabia 394 26 points 38   South Africa [a] 389 17 points 39   Morocco 388 4 points Benchmarking participants – Moscow (Russia) 575 N/A – Quebec (Canada) 543 – Dubai (United Arab Emirates) 537 25 points – Ontario (Canada) 530 8 points – Western Cape (South Africa) [a] 441 N/A – Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) 436 6 points – Gauteng (South Africa) [a] 421 N/A

Science [19] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   Singapore 608 11 points 2   Chinese Taipei 574 5 points 3   Japan 570 1 point 4   South Korea 561 5 points 5   Russia 543 1 point 5   Finland 543 N/A 7   Lithuania 534 15 points 8   Hungary 530 3 points 9   Australia 528 16 points 10   Ireland 523 7 points 11   United States 522 8 points 12   Sweden 521 1 point 13   Portugal 519 N/A 14   England 517 20 points 15   Turkey 515 22 points 16   Israel 513 6 points 17   Hong Kong 504 42 points 18   Italy 500 1 point International average 500 19   New Zealand 499 14 points 20   Norway [a] 495 14 points 21   France 489 N/A 22   Bahrain 486 20 points 23   Cyprus 484 N/A 24   Kazakhstan 478 55 points 25   Qatar 475 18 points 26   United Arab Emirates 473 4 points 27   Romania 470 N/A 28   Chile 462 8 points 29   Malaysia 460 11 points 30   Oman 457 2 points 31   Jordan 452 26 points 32   Iran 449 7 points 33   Georgia 447 4 points 34   Kuwait 444 33 points 35   Saudi Arabia 431 35 points 36   Morocco 394 1 point 37   Egypt 389 18 points 38   Lebanon 377 21 points 39   South Africa [a] 370 12 points Benchmarking participants – Moscow (Russia) 567 N/A – Quebec (Canada) 548 18 points – Dubai (United Arab Emirates) 537 12 points – Ontario (Canada) 522 2 points – Western Cape (South Africa) [a] 439 N/A – Gauteng (South Africa) [a] 422 N/A – Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) 420 34 points

1. Ninth grade students

Fourth grade

Mathematics [20] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   Singapore 625 7 points 2   Hong Kong 602 13 points 3   South Korea 600 8 points 4   Chinese Taipei 599 2 points 5   Japan 593 6   Russia 567 3 points 7 Northern Ireland 566 4 points 8   England 556 10 points 9   Ireland 548 1 point 10   Latvia 546 N/A 11   Norway [a] 543 6 points 12   Lithuania 542 7 points 13   Austria 539 N/A 14   Netherlands 538 8 points 15   United States 535 4 points 16   Czech Republic 533 5 points 17   Belgium (Flemish) 532 14 points 17   Cyprus 532 9 points 17   Finland 532 3 points 20   Portugal 525 16 points 20   Denmark 525 14 points 22   Hungary 523 6 points 22   Turkey [a] 523 N/A 24   Sweden 521 2 points 24   Germany 521 1 point 26   Poland 520 15 points 27   Australia 516 1 point 28   Azerbaijan 515 N/A 28   Bulgaria 515 9 points 28   Italy 515 8 points 31   Kazakhstan 512 32 points 31   Canada 512 1 point 33   Slovakia 510 12 points 34   Croatia 509 7 points 34   Malta 509 N/A 36   Serbia 508 10 points 37   Spain 502 3 points International average 500 38   Armenia 498 N/A 39   Albania 494 N/A 40   New Zealand 487 4 points 41   France 485 3 points 42   Georgia 482 19 points 43   United Arab Emirates 481 29 points 44   Bahrain 480 29 points 45   North Macedonia 472 N/A 46   Montenegro 453 N/A 47   Bosnia and Herzegovina 452 N/A 48   Qatar 449 10 points 49   Kosovo 444 N/A 50   Iran 443 12 points 51   Chile 441 18 points 52   Oman 431 6 points 53   Saudi Arabia 398 15 points 54   Morocco 383 6 points 54   Kuwait 383 30 points 56   South Africa [a] 374 2 points 57   Pakistan 328 N/A 58   Philippines 297 N/A Benchmarking participants – Moscow (Russia) 593 N/A – Dubai (United Arab Emirates) 544 33 points – Quebec (Canada) 532 4 points – Madrid (Spain) 518 N/A – Ontario (Canada) 512 – Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) 441 22 points

Science [21] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   Singapore 595 5 points 2   South Korea 588 1 point 3   Russia 567 4   Japan 562 7 points 5   Chinese Taipei 558 3 points 6   Finland 555 1 point 7   Latvia 542 N/A 8   Norway [a] 539 1 point 8   United States 539 7 points 10   Lithuania 538 10 points 11   Sweden 537 3 points 11   England 537 1 point 13   Czech Republic 534 14   Australia 533 9 points 15   Hong Kong 531 26 points 15   Poland 531 16 points 17   Hungary 529 13 points 18   Ireland 528 1 point 19   Turkey [a] 526 N/A 20   Croatia 524 9 points 21   Canada 523 2 points 22   Denmark 522 5 points 22   Austria 522 N/A 24   Bulgaria 521 15 points 24   Slovakia 521 1 point 26 Northern Ireland 518 2 points 26   Netherlands 518 1 point 26   Germany 518 10 points 29   Serbia 517 8 points 30   Cyprus 511 30 points 30   Spain 511 7 points 32   Italy 510 6 points 33   Portugal 504 4 points 34   New Zealand 503 3 points 35   Belgium (Flemish) 501 11 points International average 500 36   Malta 496 N/A 37   Kazakhstan 494 56 points 38   Bahrain 493 34 points 39   Albania 489 N/A 40   France 488 1 point 41   United Arab Emirates 473 22 points 42   Chile 469 9 points 43   Armenia 466 N/A 44   Bosnia and Herzegovina 459 N/A 45   Georgia 454 3 points 46   Montenegro 453 N/A 47   Qatar 449 13 points 48   Iran 441 20 points 49   Oman 435 4 points 50   Azerbaijan 427 N/A 51   North Macedonia 426 N/A 52   Kosovo 413 N/A 53   Saudi Arabia 402 12 points 54   Kuwait 392 55 points 54   Morocco 374 17 points 56   South Africa [a] 324 N/A 57   Pakistan 290 N/A 58   Philippines 249 N/A Benchmarking participants – Moscow (Russia) 595 N/A – Dubai (United Arab Emirates) 545 27 points – Ontario (Canada) 524 6 points – Madrid (Spain) 523 N/A – Quebec (Canada) 522 3 points – Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) 418 3 points

1. Fifth grade students

TIMSS 2015

In TIMSS 2015, ^[22] nationally representative samples of students in 57 countries and 7 benchmarking entities participated in the fourth grade assessment, the eighth grade assessment, or both. ^[23]

Eighth grade

Mathematics [24] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   Singapore 621 10 points 2   South Korea 606 7 points 3   Chinese Taipei 599 10 points 4   Hong Kong 594 8 points 5   Japan 586 16 points 6   Russia 538 1 point 7   Kazakhstan 528 41 points 8   Canada 527 N/A 9   Ireland 523 N/A 10   United States 518 9 points 10   England 518 11 points 12   Slovenia 516 11 points 13   Hungary 514 9 points 14   Norway [a] 512 N/A 15   Lithuania 511 9 points 15   Israel 511 5 points 17   Australia 505 18   Sweden 501 17 points International average 500 19   Italy 494 4 points 19   Malta 494 N/A 21   New Zealand 493 5 points 22   Malaysia 465 25 points 23   United Arab Emirates 465 9 points 24   Turkey 458 6 points 25   Bahrain 454 45 points 26   Georgia 453 22 points 27   Lebanon 442 7 points 28   Qatar 437 27 points 29   Iran 436 21 points 30   Thailand 431 4 points 31   Chile 427 11 points 32   Oman 403 37 points 33   Kuwait 392 N/A 33   Egypt 392 N/A 35   Botswana [a] 391 6 points 36   Jordan 386 20 points 37   Morocco 384 13 points 38   South Africa [a] 372 20 points 39   Saudi Arabia 368 26 points Benchmarking participants – Quebec (Canada) 543 11 points – Ontario (Canada) 522 10 points – Dubai (United Arab Emirates) 512 34 points – Florida (United States) 493 20 points –   Norway [b] 487 12 points – Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) 442 7 points – Buenos Aires (Argentina) 396 N/A

Science [25] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   Singapore 597 7 points 2   Japan 571 13 points 3   Chinese Taipei 569 5 points 4   South Korea 556 4 points 5   Slovenia 551 8 points 6   Hong Kong 546 11 points 7   Russia 544 2 points 8   England 537 4 points 9   Kazakhstan 533 43 points 10   Ireland 530 N/A 10   United States 530 5 points 12   Hungary 527 5 points 13   Canada 526 N/A 14   Sweden 522 13 points 15   Lithuania 519 5 points 16   New Zealand 513 1 point 17   Australia 512 7 points 18   Norway [a] 509 N/A 19   Israel 507 9 points International average 500 20   Italy 499 2 points 21   Turkey 493 10 points 22   Malta 481 N/A 23   United Arab Emirates 477 12 points 24   Malaysia 471 45 points 25   Bahrain 466 14 points 26   Qatar 457 38 points 27   Iran 456 18 points 27   Thailand 456 5 points 29   Oman 455 35 points 30   Chile 454 7 points 31   Georgia 443 23 points 32   Jordan 426 23 points 33   Kuwait 411 N/A 34   Lebanon 398 8 points 35   Saudi Arabia 396 40 points 36   Morocco 393 17 points 37   Botswana [a] 392 12 points 38   Egypt 371 N/A 39   South Africa [a] 358 26 points Benchmarking participants – Quebec (Canada) 530 10 points – Dubai (United Arab Emirates) 525 40 points – Ontario (Canada) 524 3 points – Florida (United States) 508 22 points –   Norway [b] 489 5 points – Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) 454 7 points – Buenos Aires (Argentina) 386 N/A

1. Ninth grade students
2. Eighth grade students

Fourth grade

Mathematics [24] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   Singapore 618 12 points 2   Hong Kong 615 13 points 3   South Korea 608 3 points 4   Chinese Taipei 597 6 points 5   Japan 593 8 points 6 Northern Ireland 570 8 points 7   Russia 564 22 points 8   Norway [a] 549 N/A 9   Ireland 547 20 points 10   England 546 4 points 10   Belgium (Flemish) 546 3 points 12   Kazakhstan 544 43 points 13   Portugal 541 9 points 14   United States 539 2 points 14   Denmark 539 2 points 16   Lithuania 535 1 point 16   Finland 535 10 points 16   Poland 535 54 points 19   Netherlands 530 10 points 20   Hungary 529 14 points 21   Czech Republic 528 17 points 22   Bulgaria 524 N/A 23   Cyprus 523 N/A 24   Germany 522 6 points 25   Slovenia 520 7 points 26   Sweden 519 15 points 27   Serbia 518 2 points 28   Australia 517 1 point 29   Canada 511 N/A 30   Italy 507 1 point 31   Spain 505 23 points 32   Croatia 502 12 points International average 500 33   Slovakia 498 9 points 34   New Zealand 491 5 points 35   France 488 N/A 36   Turkey 483 14 points 37   Georgia 463 13 points 38   Chile 459 3 points 39   United Arab Emirates 452 18 points 40   Bahrain 451 15 points 41   Qatar 439 26 points 42   Iran 431 43   Oman 425 40 points 44   Indonesia 397 N/A 45   Jordan 388 N/A 46   Saudi Arabia 383 27 points 47   Morocco 377 42 points 48   South Africa [a] 376 N/A 49   Kuwait 353 11 points Benchmarking participants – Florida (United States) 546 1 point – Quebec (Canada) 536 3 points – Ontario (Canada) 512 6 points – Dubai (United Arab Emirates) 511 43 points –   Norway [b] 493 2 points – Buenos Aires (Argentina) 432 N/A – Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) 419 2 points

Science [25] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   Singapore 590 7 points 2   South Korea 589 2 points 3   Japan 569 10 points 4   Russia 567 15 points 5   Hong Kong 557 22 points 6   Chinese Taipei 555 3 points 7   Finland 554 16 points 8   Kazakhstan 550 55 points 9   Poland 547 42 points 10   United States 546 2 points 11   Slovenia 543 23 points 12   Hungary 542 8 points 13   Sweden 540 7 points 14   Norway [a] 538 N/A 15   England 536 7 points 15   Bulgaria 536 N/A 17   Czech Republic 534 2 points 18   Croatia 533 17 points 19   Ireland 529 13 points 20   Germany 528 20   Lithuania 528 13 points 22   Denmark 527 1 point 23   Canada 525 N/A 23   Serbia 525 9 points 25   Australia 524 8 points 26   Slovakia 520 12 points 26 Northern Ireland 520 3 points 28   Spain 518 13 points 29   Netherlands 517 14 points 30   Italy 516 8 points 31   Belgium (Flemish) 512 3 points 32   Portugal 508 14 points 33   New Zealand 506 9 points International average 500 34   France 487 N/A 35   Turkey 483 20 points 36   Cyprus 481 N/A 37   Chile 478 2 points 38   Bahrain 459 10 points 39   Georgia 451 4 points 39   United Arab Emirates 451 23 points 41   Qatar 436 42 points 42   Oman 431 54 points 43   Iran 421 32 points 44   Indonesia 397 N/A 45   Saudi Arabia 390 39 points 46   Morocco 357 93 points 47   Kuwait 337 10 points Benchmarking participants – Florida (United States) 549 4 points – Ontario (Canada) 530 2 points – Quebec (Canada) 525 9 points – Dubai (United Arab Emirates) 518 57 points –   Norway [b] 493 1 point – Buenos Aires (Argentina) 418 N/A – Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) 415 4 points

1. Fifth grade students
2. Fourth grade students

TIMSS 2011

TIMSS 2011 ^[26] had 52 participating educational systems for the fourth grade and 45 for the eighth grade. ^[6]

Eighth grade

Mathematics [27] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   South Korea 613 16 points 2   Singapore 611 18 points 3   Chinese Taipei 609 11 points 4   Hong Kong 586 14 points 5   Japan 570 6   Russia 539 27 points 7   Israel 516 53 points 8   Finland 514 N/A 9   United States 509 1 point 10   England 507 6 points 11   Hungary 505 12 points 11   Australia 505 9 points 11   Slovenia 505 4 points 14   Lithuania 502 4 points International average 500 15   Italy 498 18 points 16   New Zealand 488 N/A 17   Kazakhstan 487 N/A 18   Sweden 484 7 points 19   Ukraine 479 17 points 20   Norway 475 6 points 21   Armenia 467 32 points 22   Romania 458 3 points 23   United Arab Emirates 456 N/A 24   Turkey 452 20 points 25   Lebanon 449 26   Malaysia 440 34 points 27   Georgia 431 21 points 28   Thailand 427 14 points 29   Republic of Macedonia 426 N/A 30   Tunisia 425 5 points 31   Chile 416 N/A 32   Iran 415 12 points 33   Qatar 410 103 points 34   Bahrain 409 N/A 35   Jordan 406 21 points 36   Palestine 404 37 points 37   Saudi Arabia 394 65 points 38   Indonesia 386 11 points 39   Syria 380 15 points 40   Morocco 371 10 points 41   Oman 366 6 points 42   Ghana 331 22 points Ninth grade participants –   Botswana [a] 397 N/A –   South Africa [a] 352 N/A –   Honduras [a] 338 N/A Benchmarking participants – Massachusetts (United States) 561 14 points – Minnesota (United States) 545 13 points – North Carolina (United States) 537 N/A – Quebec (Canada) 532 4 points – Indiana (United States) 522 N/A – Colorado (United States) 518 N/A – Connecticut (United States) 518 N/A – Florida (United States) 513 N/A – Ontario (Canada) 512 5 points – Alberta (Canada) 505 N/A – California (United States) 493 N/A – Dubai (United Arab Emirates) 478 17 points – Alabama (United States) 466 N/A – Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) 449 N/A

Science [28] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   Singapore 590 23 points 2   Chinese Taipei 564 3 points 3   South Korea 560 7 points 4   Japan 558 4 points 5   Finland 552 N/A 6   Slovenia 543 5 points 7   Russia 542 12 points 8   Hong Kong 535 5 points 9   England 533 9 points 10   United States 525 5 points 11   Hungary 522 17 points 12   Australia 519 4 points 13   Israel 516 48 points 14   Lithuania 514 5 points 15   New Zealand 512 N/A 16   Sweden 509 2 points 17   Italy 501 6 points 17   Ukraine 501 16 points International average 500 19   Norway 494 7 points 20   Kazakhstan 490 N/A 21   Turkey 483 29 points 22   Iran 474 15 points 23   Romania 465 3 points 23   United Arab Emirates 465 N/A 25   Chile 461 N/A 26   Bahrain 452 N/A 27   Thailand 451 20 points 28   Jordan 449 33 points 29   Tunisia 439 6 points 30   Armenia 437 51 points 31   Saudi Arabia 436 33 points 32   Malaysia 426 45 points 32   Syria 426 26 points 34   Palestine 420 16 points 34   Georgia 420 1 point 34   Oman 420 3 points 37   Qatar 419 100 points 38   Republic of Macedonia 407 N/A 39   Lebanon 406 8 points 39   Indonesia 406 21 points 41   Morocco 376 26 points 42   Ghana 306 3 points Ninth grade participants –   Botswana [a] 404 N/A –   Honduras [a] 369 N/A –   South Africa [a] 332 N/A Benchmarking participants – Massachusetts (United States) 567 11 points – Minnesota (United States) 553 14 points – Alberta (Canada) 546 N/A – Colorado (United States) 542 N/A – Indiana (United States) 533 N/A – Connecticut (United States) 532 N/A – North Carolina (United States) 532 N/A – Florida (United States) 530 N/A – Ontario (Canada) 521 5 points – Quebec (Canada) 520 6 points – California (United States) 499 N/A – Alabama (United States) 485 N/A – Dubai (United Arab Emirates) 485 4 points – Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) 461 N/A

1. Ninth grade students

Fourth grade

Mathematics [27] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   Singapore 606 7 points 2   South Korea 605 N/A 3   Hong Kong 602 5 points 4   Chinese Taipei 591 15 points 5   Japan 585 17 points 6 Northern Ireland 562 N/A 7   Belgium (Flemish) 549 N/A 8   Finland 545 N/A 9   England 542 1 point 9   Russia 542 2 points 11   United States 541 12 points 12   Netherlands 540 5 points 13   Denmark 537 14 points 14   Lithuania 534 4 points 15   Portugal 532 N/A 16   Germany 528 3 points 17   Ireland 527 N/A 18   Serbia 516 N/A 18   Australia 516 20   Hungary 515 5 points 21   Slovenia 513 11 points 22   Czech Republic 511 25 points 23   Austria 508 3 points 23   Italy 508 1 point 25   Slovakia 507 11 points 26   Sweden 504 1 point 27   Kazakhstan 501 48 points International average 500 28   Malta 496 N/A 29   Norway 495 22 points 30   Croatia 490 N/A 31   New Zealand 486 6 points 32   Spain 482 N/A 32   Romania 482 N/A 34   Poland 481 N/A 35   Turkey 469 N/A 36   Azerbaijan 463 N/A 37   Chile 462 N/A 38   Thailand 458 N/A 39   Armenia 452 48 points 40   Georgia 450 12 points 41   Bahrain 436 N/A 42   United Arab Emirates 434 N/A 43   Iran 431 29 points 44   Qatar 413 117 points 45   Saudi Arabia 410 N/A 46   Oman 385 N/A 47   Tunisia 359 32 points 48   Kuwait 342 26 points 49   Morocco 335 6 points 50   Yemen 248 24 points Sixth grade participants –   Botswana [a] 419 N/A –   Honduras [a] 396 N/A –   Yemen [a] 348 N/A Benchmarking participants – North Carolina (United States) 554 N/A – Florida (United States) 545 N/A – Quebec (Canada) 533 14 points – Ontario (Canada) 518 6 points – Alberta (Canada) 507 2 points – Dubai (United Arab Emirates) 468 24 points – Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) 417 N/A

Science [28] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   South Korea 587 N/A 2   Singapore 583 4 points 3   Finland 570 N/A 4   Japan 559 11 points 5   Russia 552 6 points 5   Chinese Taipei 552 5 points 7   United States 544 5 points 8   Czech Republic 536 21 points 9   Hong Kong 535 19 points 10   Hungary 534 2 points 11   Sweden 533 8 points 12   Slovakia 532 6 points 12   Austria 532 6 points 14   Netherlands 531 8 points 15   England 529 13 points 16   Denmark 528 11 points 16   Germany 528 18   Italy 524 11 points 19   Portugal 522 N/A 20   Slovenia 520 2 points 21 Northern Ireland 517 N/A 22   Ireland 516 N/A 22   Croatia 516 N/A 22   Australia 516 11 points 22   Serbia 516 N/A 26   Lithuania 515 1 point 27   Belgium (Flemish) 509 N/A 28   Romania 505 N/A 28   Spain 505 N/A 28   Poland 505 N/A International average 500 31   New Zealand 497 7 points 32   Kazakhstan 495 38 points 33   Norway 494 17 points 34   Chile 480 N/A 35   Thailand 472 N/A 36   Turkey 463 N/A 37   Georgia 455 37 points 38   Iran 453 17 points 39   Bahrain 449 N/A 40   Malta 446 N/A 41   Azerbaijan 438 N/A 42   Saudi Arabia 429 N/A 43   United Arab Emirates 428 N/A 44   Armenia 416 68 points 45   Qatar 394 100 points 46   Oman 377 N/A 47   Kuwait 347 1 point 48   Tunisia 346 28 points 49   Morocco 264 33 points 50   Yemen 209 12 points Sixth grade participants –   Honduras [a] 432 N/A –   Botswana [a] 367 N/A –   Yemen [a] 345 N/A Benchmarking participants – Florida (United States) 545 N/A – Alberta (Canada) 541 2 points – North Carolina (United States) 538 N/A – Ontario (Canada) 528 8 points – Quebec (Canada) 516 1 point – Dubai (United Arab Emirates) 461 1 point – Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) 411 N/A

1. Sixth grade students

TIMSS 2007

In TIMSS 2007, ^[29] 43 educational systems participated in the fourth grade and 56 educational systems in the eighth grade.

Eighth grade

Mathematics [30] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   Chinese Taipei 598 13 points 2   South Korea 597 8 points 3   Singapore 593 12 points 4   Hong Kong 572 14 points 5   Japan 570 6   Hungary 517 12 points 7   England 513 N/A 8   Russia 512 4 points 9   United States 508 4 points 10   Lithuania 506 4 points 11   Czech Republic 504 N/A 12   Slovenia 501 8 points International average 500 33 points 13   Armenia 499 21 points 14   Australia 496 9 points 15   Sweden 491 8 points 16   Malta 488 N/A 17   Scotland 487 11 points 18   Serbia 486 9 points 19   Italy 480 4 points 20   Malaysia 474 34 points 21   Norway 469 8 points 22   Cyprus 465 6 points 23   Bulgaria 464 12 points 24   Israel 463 33 points 25   Ukraine 462 N/A 26   Romania 461 14 points 27   Bosnia and Herzegovina 456 N/A 28   Lebanon 449 16 points 29   Thailand 441 N/A 30   Turkey 432 N/A 31   Jordan 427 3 points 32   Tunisia 420 10 points 33   Georgia 410 N/A 34   Iran 403 8 points 35   Bahrain 398 3 points 36   Indonesia 397 14 points 37   Syria 395 N/A 38   Egypt 391 N/A 39   Algeria 387 N/A 40   Morocco 381 6 points 41   Colombia 380 N/A 42   Oman 372 N/A 43   Palestine 367 23 points 44   Botswana 364 2 points 45   Kuwait 354 N/A 46   El Salvador 340 N/A 47   Saudi Arabia 329 3 points 48   Ghana 309 33 points 49   Qatar 307 N/A Benchmarking participants – Massachusetts (United States) 547 N/A – Minnesota (United States) 532 N/A – Quebec (Canada) 528 15 points – Ontario (Canada) 517 4 points – British Columbia (Canada) 509 N/A – Basque Country (Spain) 499 12 points – Dubai (United Arab Emirates) 461 N/A

Science [31] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   Singapore 567 11 points 2   Chinese Taipei 561 10 points 3   Japan 554 2 points 4   South Korea 553 5 points 5   England 542 N/A 6   Hungary 539 4 points 6   Czech Republic 539 N/A 8   Slovenia 538 18 points 9   Hong Kong 530 26 points 9   Russia 530 16 points 11   United States 520 7 points 12   Lithuania 519 13   Australia 515 12 points 14   Sweden 511 13 points International average 500 26 points 15   Scotland 496 16 points 16   Italy 495 4 points 17   Armenia 488 27 points 18   Norway 487 7 points 19   Ukraine 485 N/A 20   Jordan 482 7 points 21   Malaysia 471 39 points 21   Thailand 471 N/A 23   Serbia 470 2 points 23   Bulgaria 470 9 points 25   Israel 468 20 points 26   Bahrain 467 29 points 27   Bosnia and Herzegovina 466 N/A 28   Romania 462 8 points 29   Iran 459 6 points 30   Malta 457 N/A 31   Turkey 454 N/A 32   Syria 452 N/A 32   Cyprus 452 11 points 34   Tunisia 445 41 points 35   Indonesia 427 7 points 36   Oman 423 N/A 37   Georgia 421 N/A 38   Kuwait 418 N/A 39   Colombia 417 N/A 40   Lebanon 414 21 points 41   Egypt 408 N/A 41   Algeria 408 N/A 43   Palestine 404 31 points 44   Saudi Arabia 403 5 points 45   Morocco 402 6 points 46   El Salvador 387 N/A 47   Botswana 355 10 points 48   Qatar 319 N/A 49   Ghana 303 48 points Benchmarking participants – Massachusetts (United States) 556 N/A – Minnesota (United States) 539 N/A – Quebec (Canada) 526 5 points – Ontario (Canada) 526 7 points – British Columbia (Canada) 507 N/A – Basque Country (Spain) 498 9 points – Dubai (United Arab Emirates) 489 N/A

Fourth grade

Mathematics [30] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   Hong Kong 607 32 points 2   Singapore 599 5 points 3   Chinese Taipei 576 12 points 4   Japan 568 3 points 5   Kazakhstan 549 N/A 6   Russia 544 12 points 7   England 541 10 points 8   Latvia 537 1 point 9   Netherlands 535 5 points 10   Lithuania 530 4 points 11   United States 529 11 points 12   Germany 525 N/A 13   Denmark 523 N/A 14   Australia 516 17 points 15   Hungary 510 19 points 16   Italy 507 4 points 17   Austria 505 N/A 18   Sweden 503 N/A 19   Slovenia 502 23 points International average 500 5 points 20   Armenia 500 44 points 21   Slovakia 496 N/A 22   Scotland 494 4 points 23   New Zealand 492 1 point 24   Czech Republic 486 N/A 25   Norway 473 22 points 26   Ukraine 469 N/A 27   Georgia 438 N/A 28   Iran 402 13 points 29   Algeria 378 N/A 30   Colombia 355 N/A 31   Morocco 341 6 points 32   El Salvador 330 N/A 33   Tunisia 327 12 points 34   Kuwait 316 N/A 35   Qatar 296 N/A 36   Yemen 224 N/A Benchmarking participants – Massachusetts (United States) 572 N/A – Minnesota (United States) 554 N/A – Quebec (Canada) 519 13 points – Ontario (Canada) 512 1 point – Alberta (Canada) 505 N/A – British Columbia (Canada) 505 N/A – Dubai (United Arab Emirates) 444 N/A

Science [31] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   Singapore 587 22 points 2   Chinese Taipei 557 6 points 3   Hong Kong 554 12 points 4   Japan 548 5 points 5   Russia 546 20 points 6   Latvia 542 10 points 6   England 542 2 points 8   United States 539 3 points 9   Hungary 536 6 points 10   Italy 535 19 points 11   Kazakhstan 533 N/A 12   Germany 528 N/A 13   Australia 527 6 points 14   Slovakia 526 N/A 14   Austria 526 N/A 16   Sweden 525 N/A 17   Netherlands 523 2 points 18   Slovenia 518 28 points 19   Denmark 517 N/A 20   Czech Republic 515 N/A 21   Lithuania 514 2 points 22   New Zealand 504 16 points 23   Scotland 500 2 points International average 500 11 points 24   Armenia 484 47 points 25   Norway 477 11 points 26   Ukraine 474 N/A 27   Iran 436 22 points 28   Georgia 418 N/A 29   Colombia 400 N/A 30   El Salvador 390 N/A 31   Algeria 354 N/A 32   Kuwait 348 N/A 33   Tunisia 318 4 points 34   Morocco 297 7 points 35   Qatar 294 N/A 36   Yemen 197 N/A Benchmarking participants – Massachusetts (United States) 571 N/A – Minnesota (United States) 551 N/A – Alberta (Canada) 543 N/A – British Columbia (Canada) 537 N/A – Ontario (Canada) 536 4 points – Quebec (Canada) 517 17 points – Dubai (United Arab Emirates) 460 N/A

TIMSS 2003

In TIMSS 2003, ^[32] there were 26 educational systems for the fourth grade and 48 for the eighth grade. ^[33]

Eighth grade

Mathematics [34] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   Singapore 605 1 point 2   South Korea 589 2 points 3   Hong Kong 586 4 points 4   Chinese Taipei 585 5   Japan 570 9 points 6   Belgium (Flemish) 537 21 points 7   Netherlands 536 4 points 8   Estonia 531 N/A 9   Hungary 529 3 points 10   Malaysia 508 11 points 10   Latvia 508 N/A 10   Russia 508 18 points 10   Slovakia 508 26 points 14   Australia 505 20 points 15   United States 504 2 points 16   Lithuania 502 20 points 17   Sweden 499 N/A 18   Scotland 498 N/A 19   Israel 496 30 points 20   New Zealand 494 3 points 21   Slovenia 493 37 points 22   Italy 484 5 points 23   Armenia 478 N/A 24   Serbia 477 N/A 25   Bulgaria 476 35 points 26   Romania 475 3 points International average 467 20 points 27   Norway 461 N/A 28   Moldova 460 9 points 29   Cyprus 459 17 points 30   Republic of Macedonia 435 12 points 31   Lebanon 433 N/A 32   Jordan 424 4 points 33   Iran 411 11 points 33   Indonesia 411 8 points 35   Tunisia 410 38 points 36   Egypt 406 N/A 37   Bahrain 401 N/A 38   Palestine 390 N/A 39   Chile 387 5 points 39   Morocco 387 50 points 41   Philippines 376 31 points 42   Botswana 366 N/A 43   Saudi Arabia 332 N/A 44   Ghana 276 N/A 45   South Africa 264 11 points Ninth grade participants –   England [a] 498 N/A Benchmarking participants – Quebec (Canada) 543 N/A – Ontario (Canada) 521 N/A – Indiana (United States) 508 N/A – Basque Country (Spain) 487 N/A

Science [35] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   Singapore 578 10 points 2   Chinese Taipei 571 2 points 3   South Korea 558 9 points 4   Hong Kong 556 26 points 5   Estonia 552 N/A 5   Japan 552 2 points 7   Hungary 543 9 points 8   Netherlands 536 9 points 9   United States 527 12 points 9   Australia 527 13 points 11   Sweden 524 N/A 12   Slovenia 520 13 points 12   New Zealand 520 10 points 14   Lithuania 519 31 points 15   Slovakia 517 18 points 16   Belgium (Flemish) 516 19 points 17   Russia 514 15 points 18   Latvia 512 N/A 18   Scotland 512 N/A 20   Malaysia 510 18 points 21   Norway 494 N/A 22   Italy 491 2 points 23   Israel 488 20 points 24   Bulgaria 479 39 points 25   Jordan 475 25 points International average 474 14 points 26   Moldova 472 13 points 27   Romania 470 2 points 28   Serbia 468 N/A 29   Armenia 461 N/A 30   Iran 453 5 points 31   Republic of Macedonia 449 9 points 32   Cyprus 441 19 points 33   Bahrain 438 N/A 34   Palestine 435 N/A 35   Egypt 421 N/A 36   Indonesia 420 15 points 37   Chile 413 7 points 38   Tunisia 404 26 points 39   Saudi Arabia 398 N/A 40   Morocco 396 73 points 41   Lebanon 393 N/A 42   Philippines 377 32 points 43   Botswana 365 N/A 44   Ghana 255 N/A 45   South Africa 244 1 point Ninth grade participants –   England [a] 544 N/A Benchmarking participants – Ontario (Canada) 533 N/A – Indiana (United States) 531 N/A – Quebec (Canada) 531 N/A – Basque Country (Spain) 489 N/A

1. Ninth grade students

Fourth grade

Mathematics [34] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 8 years 1   Singapore 594 31 points 2   Hong Kong 575 12 points 3   Japan 565 32 points 4   Chinese Taipei 564 N/A 5   Belgium (Flemish) 551 N/A 6   Netherlands 540 37 points 7   Latvia 536 N/A 8   Lithuania 534 N/A 9   Russia 532 N/A 10   England 531 18 points 11   Hungary 529 19 points 12   United States 518 27 points 13   Cyprus 510 8 points 14   Moldova 504 N/A 15   Italy 503 N/A 16   Australia 499 47 points International average 495 34 points 17   New Zealand 493 6 points 18   Scotland 490 30 points 19   Slovenia 479 73 points 20   Armenia 456 N/A 21   Norway 451 51 points 22   Iran 389 40 points 23   Philippines 358 N/A 24   Morocco 347 N/A 25   Tunisia 339 N/A Benchmarking participants – Indiana (United States) 533 N/A – Ontario (Canada) 511 N/A – Quebec (Canada) 506 N/A

Science [35] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 8 years 1   Singapore 565 18 points 2   Chinese Taipei 551 N/A 3   Japan 543 31 points 4   Hong Kong 542 9 points 5   England 540 11 points 6   United States 536 29 points 7   Latvia 532 N/A 8   Hungary 530 2 points 9   Russia 526 N/A 10   Netherlands 525 28 points 11   Australia 521 41 points 12   New Zealand 520 11 points 13   Belgium (Flemish) 518 N/A 14   Italy 516 N/A 15   Lithuania 512 N/A 16   Scotland 502 34 points 17   Moldova 496 N/A 18   Slovenia 490 56 points International average 489 35 points 19   Cyprus 480 5 points 20   Norway 466 64 points 21   Armenia 437 N/A 22   Iran 414 2 points 23   Philippines 332 N/A 24   Tunisia 314 N/A 25   Morocco 304 N/A Benchmarking participants – Indiana (United States) 553 N/A – Ontario (Canada) 540 N/A – Quebec (Canada) 500 N/A

TIMSS 1999

In 1999, ^[36] TIMSS only focused on the eighth grade in 38 educational systems; there was no study done for the fourth grade in that year. ^[37]

Eighth grade

Mathematics [38] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   Singapore 604 39 points 2   South Korea 587 20 points 3   Chinese Taipei 585 N/A 4   Hong Kong 582 6 points 5   Japan 579 26 points 6   Belgium (Flemish) 558 7 points 7   Netherlands 540 1 point 8   Slovakia 534 13 points 9   Hungary 532 5 points 10   Canada 531 4 points 11   Slovenia 530 11 points 12   Russia 526 9 points 13   Australia 525 5 points 14   Finland 520 N/A 14   Czech Republic 520 44 points 16   Malaysia 519 N/A 17   Bulgaria 511 29 points 18   Latvia (Latvian) 505 12 points 19   United States 502 2 points 20   England 496 10 points 21   New Zealand 491 17 points International average 487 26 points 22   Lithuania 482 5 points 23   Italy 479 N/A 24   Cyprus 476 2 points 25   Romania 472 10 points 26   Moldova 469 N/A 27   Thailand 467 55 points 28   Israel 466 56 points 29   Tunisia 448 N/A 30   Republic of Macedonia 447 N/A 31   Turkey 429 N/A 32   Jordan 428 N/A 33   Iran 422 6 points 34   Indonesia 403 N/A 35   Chile 392 N/A 36   Philippines 345 N/A 37   Morocco 337 N/A 38   South Africa 275 79 points

Science [39] Rank Country Average scale score Change over 4 years 1   Chinese Taipei 569 N/A 2   Singapore 568 39 points 3   Hungary 552 2 points 4   Japan 550 21 points 5   South Korea 549 16 points 6   Netherlands 545 15 points 7   Australia 540 5 points 8   Czech Republic 539 35 points 9   England 538 14 points 10   Finland 535 N/A 10   Slovakia 535 9 points 10   Belgium (Flemish) 535 15 points 13   Slovenia 533 27 points 13   Canada 533 2 points 15   Hong Kong 530 8 points 16   Russia 529 9 points 17   Bulgaria 518 47 points 18   United States 515 19 points 19   New Zealand 510 15 points 20   Latvia (Latvian) 503 18 points 21   Italy 493 N/A 22   Malaysia 492 N/A 23   Lithuania 488 12 points International average 488 28 points 24   Thailand 482 43 points 25   Romania 472 14 points 26   Israel 468 56 points 27   Cyprus 460 3 points 28   Moldova 459 N/A 29   Republic of Macedonia 458 N/A 30   Jordan 450 N/A 31   Iran 448 22 points 32   Indonesia 435 N/A 33   Turkey 433 N/A 34   Tunisia 430 N/A 35   Chile 420 N/A 36   Philippines 345 N/A 37   Morocco 323 N/A 38   South Africa 243 83 points

TIMSS 1995

In TIMSS 1995, ^[40] there were 41 educational systems in five grades (third, fourth, seventh, eighth, and the final year of secondary school). ^[6]

Eighth grade

Mathematics [41] Rank Country Average scale score 1   Singapore 643 2   South Korea 607 3   Japan 605 4   Hong Kong 588 5   Belgium (Flemish) 565 6   Czech Republic 564 7   Slovakia 547 8    Switzerland 545 9   Netherlands 541 9   Slovenia 541 11   Bulgaria 540 12   Austria 539 13   France 538 14   Hungary 537 15   Russia 535 16   Australia 530 17   Ireland 527 17   Canada 527 19   Belgium (French) 526 20   Thailand 522 20   Israel 522 22   Sweden 519 International average 513 23   Germany 509 24   New Zealand 508 25   England 506 26   Norway 503 27   Denmark 502 28   United States 500 29   Scotland 498 30   Latvia (Latvian) 493 31   Spain 487 31   Iceland 487 33   Greece 484 34   Romania 482 35   Lithuania 477 36   Cyprus 474 37   Portugal 454 38   Iran 428 39   Kuwait 392 40   Colombia 385 41   South Africa 354

Science [42] Rank Country Average scale score 1   Singapore 607 2   Czech Republic 574 3   Japan 571 4   South Korea 565 4   Bulgaria 565 6   Netherlands 560 6   Slovenia 560 8   Austria 558 9   Hungary 554 10   England 552 11   Belgium (Flemish) 550 12   Australia 545 13   Slovakia 544 14   Russia 538 14   Ireland 538 16   Sweden 535 17   United States 534 18   Germany 531 18   Canada 531 20   Norway 527 21   New Zealand 525 21   Thailand 525 23   Israel 524 24   Hong Kong 522 24    Switzerland 522 26   Scotland 517 26   Spain 517 International average 516 28   France 498 29   Greece 497 30   Iceland 494 31   Romania 486 32   Latvia (Latvian) 485 33   Portugal 480 34   Denmark 478 35   Lithuania 476 36   Belgium (French) 471 37   Iran 470 38   Cyprus 463 39   Kuwait 430 40   Colombia 411 41   South Africa 326

Fourth grade

Mathematics [43] Rank Country Average scale score 1   Singapore 625 2   South Korea 611 3   Japan 597 4   Hong Kong 587 5   Netherlands 577 6   Czech Republic 567 7   Austria 559 8   Slovenia 552 9   Ireland 550 10   Hungary 548 11   Australia 546 12   United States 545 13   Canada 532 14   Israel 531 International average 529 15   Latvia (Latvian) 525 16   Scotland 520 17   England 513 18   Cyprus 502 18   Norway 502 20   New Zealand 499 21   Greece 492 22   Thailand 490 23   Portugal 475 24   Iceland 474 25   Iran 429 26   Kuwait 400

Science [44] Rank Country Average scale score 1   South Korea 597 2   Japan 574 3   United States 565 3   Austria 565 5   Australia 562 6   Netherlands 557 6   Czech Republic 557 8   England 551 9   Canada 549 10   Singapore 547 11   Slovenia 546 12   Ireland 539 13   Scotland 536 14   Hong Kong 533 15   Hungary 532 16   New Zealand 531 International average 524 17   Norway 530 18   Latvia (Latvian) 512 19   Israel 505 19   Iceland 505 21   Greece 497 22   Portugal 480 23   Cyprus 475 24   Thailand 473 25   Iran 416 26   Kuwait 401

Additional initiatives

The TIMSS 1999 Video Study ^[45] was a study of eighth-grade mathematics and science teaching in seven countries. The study involved videotaping and analyzing teaching practices in more than one thousand classrooms. In conjunction with the IEA, the study was conducted by the US National Center for Education Statistics, and the US Department of Education under a contract with LessonLab, Inc. of Los Angeles, California.

Cooperative partners

TIMSS depends on the collaboration of a large number of individuals and organizations around the world including the TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center at Boston College, IEA's offices in Amsterdam and Hamburg, Statistics Canada, and Educational Testing Service (ETS). In the United States, TIMSS is conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics of the US Department of Education. Data for US students is further tracked for ethnic and racial groups. TIMSS is mainly funded by the participating countries. Also, the US National Center for Education Statistics of the US Department of Education and the World Bank provide major support funding for the assessments. ^[6]

United States results by race and ethnicity

Eighth grade

Mathematics Race 2019 [46] 2015 [47] 2011 [48] 2007 [49] 2003 [50] 1999 [50] 1995 [50] Score Score Score Score Score Score Score Asian 591 585 568 549 — — — White 548 541 530 533 525 525 516 Multiracial 540 521 513 506 — — — US Average 515 518 509 508 504 502 500 Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander — 495 — — — — — Hispanic 486 492 485 475 465 457 443 American Indian/Alaska Native 483 477 — — — — — Black 445 462 465 457 448 444 419

Science Race 2019 [46] 2015 [51] 2011 [48] 2007 [49] 2003 [50] 1999 [50] 1995 [50] Score Score Score Score Score Score Score Asian 577 573 556 543 — — — White 559 557 553 551 552 547 544 Multiracial 547 536 534 522 — — — US Average 522 530 525 520 527 515 534 Hispanic 493 502 493 480 482 462 446 Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander — 498 — — — — — American Indian/Alaska Native 481 497 — — — — — Black 445 469 470 455 463 438 422

Fourth grade

Mathematics Race 2019 [46] 2015 [52] 2011 [48] 2007 [49] 2003 [50] 1995 [50] Score Score Score Score Score Score Asian 586 605 583 582 — — White 559 559 559 550 542 541 Multiracial 554 565 554 534 — — US Average 535 539 541 529 518 545 American Indian/Alaska Native 515 527 — — — — Hispanic 508 515 520 504 492 493 Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 500 502 — — — — Black 494 495 489 482 472 457

Science Race 2019 [46] 2015 [53] 2011 [48] 2007 [49] 2003 [50] 1995 [50] Score Score Score Score Score Score Asian 581 598 570 573 — — White 565 570 568 567 565 572 Multiracial 561 571 559 550 — — US Average 539 546 544 539 536 565 American Indian/Alaska Native 519 530 — — — — Hispanic 508 518 517 502 498 503 Black 497 501 490 488 487 462 Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 495 503 — — — —

All average country scores

• TIMSS 1995: 4th grade ; 8th grade
• TIMSS 1999: 8th grade
• TIMSS 2003: 4th grade ; 8th grade
• TIMSS 2007: 4th and 8th grades
• TIMSS 2011: 4th grade ; 8th grade
• TIMSS 2015: 4th and 8th grades
• TIMSS 2019:

TIMSS and other international math and science studies

Hanushek and Woessmann ^[54] developed a methodology to rescale 14 different international comparisons of math and/or science achievement to make them comparable. This includes the FIMS, FISS, and PISA, mentioned above, with TIMSS.

This methodology is disputed amongst experts. Quantitative methods used in educational and psychological measurement disagree with the approach as it is basically only a linear scale transformation that cannot ensure or examine whether PISA and TIMSS scores are based on the same or at least comparable measurement constructs: The numerical values used to measure shoe size and intelligence can be transformed so that both have the same arithmetic mean and standard deviation, but they still represent two very different characteristics. The equivalency of what is being measured needs to be established in linking studies that utilize well-designed joint data collections such as the TIMSS NAEP link, ^[55] or IEA's Rosetta Stone. ^[56]

Wu (2003, 2010) ^[57] has shown that TIMSS and PISA do not produce exchangeable scores. One reason may be reading load even for mathematics and science items. TIMSS questions focus on the mathematics curricula taught around the world as seen in TIMSS example items, ^[58] while PISA attempts to assess mathematics embedded in descriptions of situations encountered outside of the classroom, see PISA examples. ^[59]

Participating countries

Country	Years
Albania	2019, 2023
Algeria	2007
Argentina	2015 [a]
Armenia	2003, 2007, 2011, 2019, 2023
Australia	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Austria	1995, 2007, 2011, 2019, 2023
Azerbaijan	2011, 2019, 2023
Bahrain	2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Belgium	1995, [b] 1999, [c] 2003, [c] 2011, [c] 2015, [c] 2019, [c] 2023 [b]
Bosnia and Herzegovina	2007, 2019, 2023
Botswana	2003, 2007, 2011, [d] 2015 [e]
Brazil	2023
Bulgaria	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, 2019, 2023
Canada	1995, 1999, 2003, [f] 2007, [g] 2011, [h] 2015, 2019, 2023
Chile	1999, 2003, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Chinese Taipei	1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Colombia	1995, 2007
Croatia	2011, 2015, 2019
Cyprus	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, 2019, 2023
Czech Republic	1995, 1999, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Denmark	1995, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Egypt	2003, 2007, 2015
El Salvador	2007
England	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Estonia	2003
Finland	1999, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
France	1995, 2015, 2019, 2023
Georgia	2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Germany	1995, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Ghana	2003, 2007, 2011
Greece	1995
Honduras	2011 [d]
Hong Kong	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Hungary	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Iceland	1995
Indonesia	1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015
Iran	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Iraq	2023 [i]
Ireland	1995, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Israel	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2023
Italy	1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Ivory Coast	2023
Japan	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Jordan	1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2023
Kazakhstan	2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Kosovo	2019, 2023
Kuwait	1995, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Latvia	1995, [j] 1999, [j] 2003, 2007, 2019, 2023
Lebanon	2003, 2007, 2011, 2015
Lithuania	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Macau	2023
Malaysia	1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2023
Malta	2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Moldova	1999, 2003
Montenegro	2019, 2023
Morocco	1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Netherlands	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
New Zealand	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
North Macedonia	1999, 2003, 2011, 2019, 2023
Northern Ireland	2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Norway	1995, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, [k] 2023
Oman	2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Pakistan	2019
Palestine	2003, 2007, 2011, 2023
Philippines	1999, 2003, 2019
Poland	2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Portugal	1995, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Qatar	2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Romania	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2023
Russia	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019
Saudi Arabia	2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Scotland	1995, 2003, 2007
Serbia	2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Singapore	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Slovakia	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Slovenia	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2023
South Africa	1995, 1999, 2003, 2011, [e] 2015, [k] 2019, [k] 2023
South Korea	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Spain	1995, 2003, [l] 2007, [l] 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Sweden	1995, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2023
Switzerland	1995
Syria	2007, 2011
Thailand	1995, 1999, 2007, 2011, 2015
Tunisia	1999, 2003, 2007, 2011
Turkey	1999, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Ukraine	2007, 2011
United Arab Emirates	2007, [m] 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
United States	1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023
Uzbekistan	2023
Yemen	2007, 2011

1. as Buenos Aires (benchmarking only)
2. French and Flemish separated
3. Flemish only
4. 6th and 9th grade only
5. 9th grade only
6. as Ontario and Quebec (benchmarking only)
7. as Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec (benchmarking only)
8. as Alberta, Ontario and Quebec (benchmarking only)
9. represented by Kurdistan Region
10. in Latvian
11. 5th and 9th grade only
12. as Basque Country (benchmarking only)
13. as Dubai (benchmarking only)

See also

• International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement
• Numeracy
• Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), an educational ranking among OECD nations
• Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS)
• Scientific literacy

Notes

1. "TIMSS and PIRLS Home". timssandpirls.bc.edu. Archived from the original on Feb 6, 2024.
2. "About TIMSS 2019". TIMSS International Study Center. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
3. "TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center" . Retrieved 15 December 2016.
4. Hanushek and Woessmann (2015, Table 2.1, p. 18).
5. "TIMSS 2015 and TIMSS Advanced 2015 International Results". TIMSS International Study Center. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
6. "TIMSS 2011 Participating Countries" . Retrieved 21 Nov 2016.
7. "TIMSS 2019 International Results in Mathematics and Science" . Retrieved 3 May 2021.
8. "TIMSS 2019 Assessment Frameworks". TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
9. "Pursuing Excellence: Comparisons of International Eighth-Grade Mathematics and Science Achievement from a U.S. Perspective, 1995 and 1999" (PDF). U.S. Department of Education. December 2000. p. 2. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
10. "TIMSS 2019 International Reports – TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center at Boston College".
11. "TIMSS 2019 Encyclopedia".
12. "Methods and Procedures in TIMSS 2019".
13. "TIMSS 2019 International Database".
14. "Tools | IEA.nl". www.iea.nl.
15. "Data Visualizer".
16. "TIMSS 2019 Assessment Frameworks". www.timssandpirls.bc.edu. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
17. "TIMSS 2019 Encyclopedia: Education Policy and Curriculum in Mathematics and Science". www.timssandpirls.bc.edu. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
18. "TIMSS 2019 Mathematics Grade 8". timss2019.org. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
19. "TIMSS 2019 Science Grade 8". timss2019.org. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
20. "TIMSS 2019 Mathematics Grade 4". timss2019.org. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
21. "TIMSS 2019 Science Grade 4". timss2019.org. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
22. "TIMSS 2015 - IEA". www.iea.nl. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
23. "About TIMSS 2015 – TIMSS 2015 and TIMSS Advanced 2015 International Results". timssandpirls.bc.edu. Retrieved 2017-03-21.
24. "Distribution of Mathematics Achievement – TIMSS 2015 and TIMSS Advanced 2015 International Results". Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
25. "Distribution of Science Achievement – TIMSS 2015 and TIMSS Advanced 2015 International Results". Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
26. "TIMSS 2011 - IEA". www.iea.nl. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
27. "TIMSS 2011 Mathematics" (PDF).
28. "TIMSS 2011 Science" (PDF).
29. "TIMSS 2007 - IEA". www.iea.nl. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
30. "TIMSS 2007 Mathematics" (PDF).
31. "TIMSS 2007 Science" (PDF).
32. "TIMSS 2003 - IEA". www.iea.nl. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
33. center, international study. "TIMSS 2003 Countries Participating". timssandpirls.bc.edu. Retrieved 2017-03-21.
34. "TIMSS 2003 Mathematics" (PDF).
35. "TIMSS 2003 Science" (PDF).
36. "TIMSS 1999 - IEA". www.iea.nl. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
37. "TIMSS 1999 Participants". timssandpirls.bc.edu. Retrieved 2017-03-21.
38. "TIMSS 1999 Mathematics" (PDF).
39. "TIMSS 1999 Science" (PDF).
40. "TIMSS 1995 - IEA". www.iea.nl. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
41. "TIMSS 1995 Mathematics (8th grade)" (PDF).
42. "TIMSS 1995 Science (8th grade)" (PDF).
43. "TIMSS 1995 Mathematics (4th grade)" (PDF).
44. "TIMSS 1995 Science (4th grade)" (PDF).
45. "TIMSSVIDEO".
46. "Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
47. "TIMSS - Mathematics for Grades 4 and 8: Student Race/Ethnicity and School Poverty". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
48. "Highlights From TIMSS 2011: Mathematics and Science Achievement of U.S. Fourth- and Eighth-Grade Students in an International Context" (PDF).
49. "Highlights From TIMSS 2007: Mathematics and Science Achievement of U.S. Fourth- and Eighth-Grade Students in an International Context" (PDF).
50. "Highlights From the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study: TIMSS 2003" (PDF).
51. "TIMSS - Science for Grades 4 and 8: Student Race/Ethnicity and School Poverty". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
52. "TIMSS - Mathematics for Grades 4 and 8: Student Race/Ethnicity and School Poverty". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
53. "TIMSS - Science for Grades 4 and 8: Student Race/Ethnicity and School Poverty". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
54. Hanushek and Woessman (2015, esp. Table 2.1 and Appendix 2A, pp. 18, 29-37)
55. "Methodology Studies - Linking NAEP and TIMSS Study | NAEP".
56. "IEA Rosetta Stone project moves ahead | IEA.nl".
57. Wu, M. (2010), "Comparing the Similarities and Differences of PISA 2003 and TIMSS", OECD Education Working Papers, No. 32, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/5km4psnm13nx-en.
58. "TIMSS USA Grade 8 Released Mathematics Items" (PDF). International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement. 2013. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
59. "PISA Released Items – Mathematics" (PDF). OECD. December 2006. Retrieved 2024-06-28.

References

• Hanushek, Eric A.; Woessmann, Ludger (2015), The knowledge capital of nations, CESifo, ISBN   978-0-262-02917-9 .

External links

• IEA's TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center at Boston College
• www.iea.nl: TIMSS. Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study
• U.S. Department of Education TIMSS
• TIMSS: What Have We Learned about Math and Science Teaching? Archived 2012-02-11 at the Wayback Machine - Education Resources Information Center Clearinghouse for Science Mathematics and Environmental Education, Columbus, Ohio.
• Benchmarking to the world's best in mathematics. Quality control in curriculum and instruction among the top performers in the TIMSS