Test Scores

International Tests

International tests allow you to compare student performance between the U.S. and the rest of the world. Use the links below to see an explanation of each test, an overview of test results, and links for finding more info.

CivEd
Civic Education Survey

• Enacted: 1999
• Purpose: To provide information on U.S. ninth-graders' knowledge of democratic practices and institutions and on how it compares with the knowledge of students in 27 other participating countries. In addition, CivEd provides data about U.S. ninth-grade students’ attitudes toward democracy, national identity, international relations, and social cohesion and diversity.
• Grades Tested: 14 year-olds (8th and 9th grades)
• Frequency: The CivEd assessment has not been conducted again since 1999
• Subjects Tested: Civic education
• Participating Nations: 28 countries, mostly in Europe. See a complete list>>
• Test Website: http://nces.ed.gov/Surveys/CivEd/index.asp

CivEd Test Results Overview

Average Scores and Rankings, 9th Grade, CivEd 1999
National Center for Education Statistics

Graph Notes

For more info

• Civic Education Survey (CivEd) website>>
  • 1999 Test Results Report>>
  • 1999 Test Results homepage>>

PIRLS
Progress in International Reading Literacy Study

• Purpose: To study and compare the reading achievement and reading behaviors and attitudes of fourth-grade students around the world.
• Enactment Date: 2001
• Grades Tested: 4th grade
• Frequency: Every 5 years
• Subjects Tested: Reading
• Participating Nations: 45 countries from 6 continents. See a complete list>>
• Test Website: http://nces.ed.gov/Surveys/PIRLS/index.asp
  

PIRLS Test Results Overview

Average Scores and Rankings, 8th Grade, PIRLS 2006
National Center for Education Statistics

Graph Notes

For more info

• Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) website>>
  • 2006 Test Results Report>>
  • 2006 Test Results homepage>>

PISA
Program for International Student Assessment

• Purpose: To compare student performance between member nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), an organization of industrialized nations. PISA emphasizes functional skills that students have acquired near the end of mandatory schooling.
• Enactment Date: 2000
• Grades Tested: 15 year old students (9th and 10th grades)
• Frequency: Every 3 years
• Subjects Tested: Math, science, and reading. Every 3 years one of the subjects is tested in depth.
• Participating Nations: Varies from year to year (57 participated in 2006). All 30 nations belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) participated in the test.  The OECD consists of developed countries that are committed to democracy and market economy.
  
• Test Website: http://nces.ed.gov/Surveys/PISA/
  

PISA Test Results Overview

Average Scores of Developed Nations, 15 Year-Olds, PISA 2006
National Center for Education Statistics

Graph Notes

For more info

• Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) website>>
  • 2006 Test Results Report>>
  • 2006 Test Results homepage>>

TIMSS
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study

• Purpose: To provide reliable and timely data on the mathematics and science achievement of U.S. students compared to that of students in other countries.
• Enactment Date: 1995
• Grades Tested: Varies between 4th, 8th, and 12th grades (12th graders were only tested in 1995)
• Frequency: Every 4 years
• Subjects Tested: Math and science
• Participating Nations: Varies from year to year (48 countries participated in 2007). See a complete list>>
• Test Website: http://nces.ed.gov/TIMSS/

TIMSS Test Results Overview

Average Scores and Rankings, 8th Grade, TIMSS 2007
National Center for Education Statistics

Graph Notes

For more info

• Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) website>>
  • 2007 Test Results Report>>
  • 2007 Test Results homepage>>