TIMSS 2019 International Results in
Mathematics and Science

Science Grade 8

Average Achievement in Science Content and Cognitive Domains

Average Achievement in Content Domains

Exhibit 4.14 shows countries’ average science achievement in each of the four content domains relative to their overall average achievement (presented from highest to lowest overall average achievement). Based on countries’ strengths and weaknesses, the TIMSS 2019 countries appear to be placing relatively less instructional emphasis on the chemistry and physics domains. Of the 37 participating countries for which cognitive domain scores were estimated, 11 had a relative strength in biology and 8 had a relative weakness. In chemistry, 10 had a relative strength and 16 had a relative weakness; in physics, 9 had a relative strength and 14 had a relative weakness. In most countries, Earth science tended to be either a relative strength (12 countries) or a relative weakness (19 countries). England and Hungary were the only two countries without at least one relative strength or relative weakness compared with its overall achievement.