For schools
About TIMSS
The Trends in Maths and Science Study, known as “TIMSS”, is an international comparative study that assesses and compares the performance in maths and science of pupils at age 10, or Primary 6 in Northern Ireland, every four years across about 60 countries. It provides internationally comparative data on pupils’ achievement in maths and science, and how their performance is related to their attitudes, gender and background. In addition, TIMSS includes questionnaires for teachers and principals, which provide a valuable perspective on teaching maths and science and the school environment.
Why is TIMSS important?
TIMSS plays a crucial role in helping countries improve their education systems. By providing reliable international comparisons of pupil achievement in maths and science, TIMSS enables countries to see how their pupils are performing compared to others around the world. This helps identify strengths to build on and areas needing improvement.
Importantly, TIMSS does more than measure achievement - it also gathers detailed information on pupil attitudes, motivations, and learning environments. This helps us understand why pupils perform as they do and what supports their learning best.
By learning from the policies and practices of high-performing countries and monitoring our own progress over time using independent measures, TIMSS gives us the evidence we need to make informed decisions that can genuinely improve educational outcomes for all pupils.
What are the benefits of your school taking part?
- Supports a study that helps us better understand our education system, directly influencing national policy and developments.
- Contributes to an international evidence-base that informs policies and strategies worldwide to raise standards and reduce achievement gaps.
- Gives your pupils the experience of representing Northern Ireland in an important global study.
- Provides pupils with the opportunity to practise and apply their maths and science skills through an interesting and innovative online assessment.
TIMSS support
We are here to support schools and pupils with their participation in TIMSS.
If you have any questions contact us from Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm on 020 7010 2179 or any time via email at TIMSSNI@pearson.com
