TIMSS - Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is an international assessment of the mathematics and science knowledge of fourth- and eighth-grade students around the world. TIMSS was developed by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) to allow participating nations to compare students´ educational achievement across borders. The IEA also conducts the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). TIMSS was first administered in 1995, and every 4 years thereafter. In 1995, forty-one nations participated in the study; in 2007, some 60 countries will participate.

TIMSS consists of an assessment of mathematics and science, as well as student, teacher, and school questionnaires. The assessment includes those topics in mathematics and science that students are likely to have been exposed to up to and including grade 4 and grade 8. To be able to assess the knowledge of students, assessment items exhibit a range of difficulty and complexity. The student questionnaires are designed to collect information on students´ backgrounds, attitudes and beliefs related to schooling and learning, information about their classroom experiences, among many other topics. The teacher and school questionnaires asks about class scheduling, mathematics and science content coverage, school policies, teachers´ educational backgrounds and preparation, among many other topics.

Updated On: 07.10.27