Use and Impact of TIMSS

The UAE participated in TIMSS for the first time in 2011. This provided decision makers in the UAE with international comparisons for measuring student knowledge and skills in mathematics and science. The UAE’s participation in TIMSS also helped the country to identify the contextual indicators of student performance and achievement in these two subjects.2

Across the UAE, 459 schools took part in the TIMSS and PIRLS assessments at the fourth grade, including 164 public schools and 295 private schools. An in-depth analysis showed that the fourth grade population performed comparatively better in reading than in mathematics and science.

The UAE considers TIMSS to be a valuable study for measuring student performance levels and skills against international standards and for assessing student progress as a reflection of developments in the national curricula, the educational system, and educational policies and progress.

TIMSS results in 2011 showed that the UAE leads Arab countries in student performance in mathematics and science. Eighth grade students performed better than fourth grade students in the UAE, and fourth grade students performed marginally better in reading than in mathematics and science.  Results showed that fourth and eighth grade students still face difficulties in some domains in mathematics. In general, girls performed better than boys in all domains and in all subjects.

TIMSS results led to a review of the national curriculum and educational policy and system reforms in accordance with the National Agenda 2010–2020, which was developed strategically to raise student performance and skills. Following the recommendations of the International Report in 2011, particularly as it focused on student acquisition of mathematics and science skills, the UAE has utilized TIMSS results to help its students achieve greater success.

The fact that TIMSS results showed student weaknesses in certain domains should urge decision makers to look for creative solutions that will enable the UAE to progress toward improving student performance and skills.