U.S. TIMSS Math Scores 2023: Grade 4 and Grade 8
U.S. students scored above the TIMSS 2023 international average in mathematics at both grades, while average scores fell from the 2019 cycle.
U.S. Mathematics Results
U.S. Scores Compared With the TIMSS 2023 International Average
Mean mathematics scores for U.S. students and the corresponding international average at each grade.
TIMSS scores use a 0–1,000 scale with a fixed centerpoint of 500. Grade 4 and Grade 8 represent separate student populations and should not be combined into a single average.
NCES TIMSS 2023 U.S. Highlights, based on IEA TIMSS 2023 data.
Grade 4 and Grade 8 TIMSS Mathematics Scores
| Comparison | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 4 | 517 | 503 | +14 | 535 | −18 | Above the 2023 international average; measurably lower than the U.S. 2019 score |
| Grade 8 | 488 | 478 | +10 | 515 | −27 | Above the 2023 international average; measurably lower than the U.S. 2019 score |
Both Grades Remained Above the International Average Despite Lower U.S. Scores
- The U.S. mean was above the corresponding TIMSS 2023 international average at both grades. The Grade 4 margin was 14 points and the Grade 8 margin was 10 points.
- The comparison with 2019 points in a different direction. U.S. mathematics achievement fell by 18 points at Grade 4 and 27 points at Grade 8, and NCES reports both declines as measurable.
- The Grade 4 score of 517 and Grade 8 score of 488 should not be read as a 29-point loss as students move through school. TIMSS tests different grade populations, so each result is interpreted within its own grade and cycle.
- The fixed TIMSS centerpoint of 500 is not the same measure as the 2023 international average. In 2023, the international averages were 503 for Grade 4 and 478 for Grade 8.
U.S. Mathematics Achievement by TIMSS Benchmark
Distribution of students across the TIMSS achievement bands derived from cumulative benchmark attainment.
TIMSS benchmark thresholds are Advanced 625, High 550, Intermediate 475, and Low 400. Table percentages are cumulative; chart bands convert them into non-overlapping shares.
NCES TIMSS 2023 U.S. mathematics benchmark results.
| Grade 4 | 13% | 39% | 68% | 87% |
| Grade 8 | 8% | 26% | 55% | 82% |
Benchmark Results Show Different Patterns Across the Achievement Distribution
- At Grade 4, 13% of U.S. students reached at least the Advanced benchmark and 87% reached at least the Low benchmark. Compared with the 2023 international median, U.S. attainment was higher at Advanced and High but lower at Intermediate and Low.
- At Grade 8, 8% reached at least Advanced, while 82% reached at least Low. NCES found the U.S. percentages at all four Grade 8 benchmarks were not measurably different from the corresponding TIMSS 2023 international medians.
- The benchmark results add distributional context to the mean score. A single average does not show how many students reached the upper achievement thresholds or how many remained below the Low benchmark.
Data Sources, Measurement and Comparability
National Center for Education Statistics — TIMSS 2023 U.S. Highlights. The U.S. report presents Grade 4 and Grade 8 mathematics results, international comparisons, achievement benchmarks, percentile distributions, and comparisons with earlier TIMSS cycles.
IEA — TIMSS 2023 International Results in Mathematics and Science.
The results are from TIMSS 2023. The U.S. results were released by NCES in December 2024. The assessment cycle remains 2023.
TIMSS measures mathematics and science achievement among students at the fourth and eighth grades. Grade 4 and Grade 8 are separate assessment populations.
TIMSS achievement is reported on a 0–1,000 scale. The scale has a fixed centerpoint of 500 and a standard deviation of 100 established from the original TIMSS scale. The centerpoint should not be interpreted as the international average for every cycle.
The TIMSS 2023 international average is calculated across participating non-benchmarking education systems with each system weighted equally. It was 503 in Grade 4 mathematics and 478 in Grade 8 mathematics.
The U.S. mathematics averages were 535 at Grade 4 and 515 at Grade 8 in TIMSS 2019. NCES reports the 2023 averages as measurably lower, producing declines of 18 and 27 points.
TIMSS mathematics benchmark thresholds are Advanced at 625 points, High at 550, Intermediate at 475, and Low at 400. Reported percentages represent students scoring at or above each threshold.
International comparisons should use the statistical classifications reported by NCES rather than numerical ordering alone. NCES also applies coverage, sampling, and reliability qualifications to selected education systems, including a U.S. participation-rate qualification in TIMSS 2023.