Don’t fear TIMSS: what do the math results tell us and how can we improve them?

28 de January de 2025

Contenidos ocultar

1 What is TIMSS and why do its results matter?

3 TIMSS 2023 results in Spain: data and challenges

5 An opportunity to transform math learning

What is TIMSS and why do its results matter?

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), run by the IEA, assesses the math and science performance of 4th grade students in more than 60 countries every four years. TIMSS 2023 doesn’t just measure knowledge; it also studies the learning context, providing data to design more effective education policies.

In this edition, the assessment became fully digital and adaptive, allowing a more precise analysis of student performance. Internationally, nearly 400,000 students from around the world took part. Spain, which has participated since 2011, gathered data from more than 10,000 students across the country.

Global trends and lessons

The international TIMSS 2023 results show a varied picture:

Asian leadership: Singapore continues to lead with an average math score of 615 points, followed by Chinese Taipei (607), South Korea (594), and Hong Kong (594). These countries stand out for their focus on practice, critical thinking, and consistent support for students.

Europe: Lithuania (561), England (552), and Poland (546) are among the leading countries in Europe, thanks to equitable education systems with high academic expectations.

TIMSS 2023 results in Spain: data and challenges

Spain’s average math score in TIMSS 2023 was 498 points, below the OECD average (525 points) and the European average (514 points). According to the IEA, a score below 400 is considered a very low level, 400 to 475 a low level, 475 to 550 an intermediate level, 550 to 625 a high level, and above 625 points an advanced level.

Although results are stable compared with previous editions, the study highlights several challenges:

Socioeconomic impact: Students from more advantaged backgrounds score up to 40 points higher than their peers from disadvantaged backgrounds, underlining the need for education policies that promote equity.

Gender differences: Boys scored up to 18 points higher on average than girls, matching the average gender gap in Europe.

Performance levels: 37.8 % of students are at low levels, while only 4.2 % reach advanced performance, compared with European averages of 40 % and 7 %, respectively.

At tekman Education, we regularly run TIMSS-inspired tests to see firsthand the level of students learning with our programs. According to the report data, 66 % of students who learn with EMAT reach the high or advanced level in math.

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Keys to improving math performance

1. Commit to personalized learning

Education programs should adapt to each student’s needs, encouraging learning at their own pace. This includes digital tools and innovative methodologies like those being adopted in leading countries.

2. Close the socioeconomic gap

The link between socioeconomic status and academic performance remains a challenge. Ensuring equal access to educational resources, such as targeted teacher training and high-quality materials, can make a difference.

3. Build confidence in learning

The TIMSS 2023 report highlights that self-confidence in math is directly linked to performance. In Spain, students with high confidence scored 36 points more than those with a low perception of their abilities. It’s essential to work on this from the early grades. A key part of building students’ confidence is overcoming math anxiety, which we’ve discussed in previous articles.

An opportunity to transform math learning

TIMSS 2023 is a wake-up call. Although Spain has strengths, such as school safety and strong school discipline, its math results show the need for structural change.

The challenge isn’t just to climb the rankings, but to ensure that all students, regardless of gender or socioeconomic background, have the opportunity to reach their full potential in math. With a focus on equity, personalized learning, and building confidence, we can take a step forward toward a more competitive and inclusive education system.

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