The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study measures students' grasp of science concepts and skills in participating countries and jurisdictions. Assessments are administered every four years in the fourth and eighth grades.

Countries and jurisdictions that chose to participate in the 2007 TIMSS, the most recent assessment, are included below. Results are reported using four benchmarks -- advanced, high, intermediate and low. Compare percentages of students scoring at or above each benchmark for 2007.

Related: International Math Achievement

EIGHTH GRADE

FOURTH GRADE

International Eighth-Grade
Science Achievment (2007)

dummy, doesn't publish	Country or Jurisdiction		% at or Above Advanced	% at or Above High	% at or Above Intermediate	% at or Above Low
x	11Singapore		32	61	80	93.9
x	6Taiwan		25	60	83	95.9
x	26Japan		17.9	55	85	96.9
x	36England		17	48	79	94
x	9South Korea		17.8	54	85.9	97.9
x	33Hungary		13	46	80.9	96
x	40Czech Republic		11.8	44	82	97.8
x	10Slovenia		11.9	45.9	81	97
x	15Russia		11	41	76	95
x	33Hong Kong		10.9	45.8	77	92.9
x	1United States		10	38	71.9	92.8
x	49Armenia		8	23	55	83
x	48Australia		8.8	33	71	92
x	22Lithuania		8.9	36	72	93
x	8Sweden		6	32	69	91
x	25Jordan		5.8	26.8	56	79
x	18.9Malta		5	21	48	71.9
x	43.9Bulgaria		5.8	22.8	51.8	76.9
x	18Scotland		5.9	26.9	61	87.9
x	28Israel		5.6	21	51	75
x	27.9Italy		4	24	62	88
x	3Turkey		3	16	40	71
x	2Ukraine		3.9	22.9	58	85
x	5Thailand		3.7	17.8	48.9	80.8
x	19Malaysia		3.8	18	50	80.9
x	29Iran		2	14.8	41	76.8
x	46Bahrain		2.8	17.9	49	78
x	12Serbia		2.7	16.9	51.9	81
x	16Romania		2.6	16.8	46	77.9
x	18.5Norway		2.9	20	58.9	87
x	45Bosnia and Herzegovina		2.5	14.9	47	80
x	40Cyprus		1.9	12	42	74
x	17.1Palestinian Authority		1.7	9.8	28	54
x	23Lebanon		1.5	8.8	28.8	55.9
x	7Syria		1.8	9.9	39	76
x	38.1Egypt		1.3	7	27	55.8
x	18Oman		1.6	8.9	32	61.9
x	43Colombia		1	4.7	22	59
x	24Kuwait		0.9	6	28.9	60
x	35.1Georgia		0.8	5	27.8	61
x	31Indonesia		0.6	4.8	27.9	65
x	4Tunisia		0.8	4.9	31	77
x	14Saudi Arabia		0.5	2.9	18	52
x	17Qatar		0.3	2.7	11	29
x	35Ghana		0	1.7	6	19
x	38El Salvador		0.1	1.8	11.9	42
x	44Botswana		0.4	2.8	11.8	35
x	50Algeria		0.2	1.9	14	55
x	xInternational Median		3	17	49	78

International Fourth-Grade
Science Achievment (2007)

dummy, doesn't publish	Country or Jurisdiction		% at or Above Advanced	% at or Above High	% at or Above Intermediate	% at or Above Low
x	10Singapore		36	68	88.8	96.9
x	6Taiwan		19	55.8	86.9	97.9
x	12Russia		16	49	82	96.8
x	3United States		15	47.8	78.9	94.9
x	30England		14	48	81	95.9
x	27Hong Kong		14.9	55.9	88.9	98.9
x	26Hungary		13.9	47.7	78.7	93.9
x	23Italy		13	44.8	78.8	94.8
x	22Japan		12.9	51	86.8	97.8
x	37Armenia		12	27	52.8	77
x	9Slovak Republic		11	42	75	92
x	36Australia		10	41.8	76.7	93.8
x	19Latvia		10.9	47.9	84	98.8
x	28Germany		10.7	41.9	76.8	94.7
x	Kazakhstan		10.8	44.9	79.8	95.8
x	35Austria		9	39	76.6	93.7
x	7Sweden		8.9	37	76.9	95.7
x	15New Zealand		8	32	65.8	87
x	33Czech Republic		7	33	72.8	93.4
x	32Denmark		7.9	35	72.9	93.5
x	8Slovenia		6	36	74.8	93.6
x	11Scotland		4	26	65.9	90
x	16Neatherlands		4.9	34	79.9	97.7
x	18Lithuania		3	30	74.9	95.6
x	4Ukraine		2.9	17.8	52.9	82
x	24Iran		2	12	36	65
x	14Norway		1.9	17.9	54	84
x	34Colombia		1.8	6	22	51
x	29Georgia		1	5	26	59
x	31El Salvador		0.9	4.9	18	47
x	20Kuwait		0.8	4.8	16	37
x	17Morocco		0.5	2.8	9	21
x	38Algeria		0.6	2.9	11	33
x	5Tunisia		0.7	3	14	32
x	13Qatar		0.3	2.7	8	23
x	2Yemen		0	0	2	8
x	International Median		7	34	74	93

SOURCE » TIMSS is an international comparative assessment with the goal of improving the teaching and the learning of mathematics and science. The test consists of 28 sections covering mathematics and science (life, physical, and earth sciences). The International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement coordinates and oversees assessments every four years to fourth- and eighth-graders and provides data about trends in achievement for these subject areas over time. Students' achievement is globally compared in a report for each subject area according to four standardized levels for easy comparison, or benchmarks: advanced, high, intermediate and low. For more information: TIMMS FAQ (National Center for Education Statistics) TIMSS 2007 International Science Report TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center National Center for Education Statistics International Activities

NOTES » There are a number of small differences in populations sampled for this study. For example, in some countries where instruction is taught in multiple languages the test was only administered to students taught in a single language. Other countries, including the United States, administered the test to 90% to 95% of the target population, whereas most countries were able to test above 95% of the target population. A full list of notes can be found in appendix A of the TIMSS 2007 International Science Report.

Staff contributors: Michael Corones, Noah Goodman