Timss 2018 Field Test Frequently Asked Questions (faq)

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Frequently Asked Questions
2018 Field Test
What is TIMSS?
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science 
Study (TIMSS) is an international assessment and 
research project designed to measure trends in 
mathematics and science achievement at the fourth- 
and eighth-grade levels as well as school and teacher 
practices related to instruction. Since 1995, TIMSS 
has been administered every 4 years. TIMSS 2019, the 
seventh study in the series, will involve students from 
more than 60 countries, including the United States. 
In 2019, for the first time TIMSS will be administered 
digitally. The electronic version of TIMSS, sometimes 
called “eTIMSS,” will be on the same scale and directly 
comparable to the previous paper versions of TIMSS.
What is the field test for?
Field tests are a critical part of the development of 
assessments like TIMSS. Field tests (small-scale, trial 
runs of an assessment) allow assessment developers to try 
out new questions to determine their performance when 
administered to students around the world. The results 
of the U.S. field test will help assessment developers 
determine specific wording or content that may put U.S. 
students at a disadvantage relative to students in other 
countries. It will also allow the United States to fine 
tune operational procedures for the 2019 assessment.
Why was my school selected 
for participation?
Your school was randomly selected so that the U.S. 
field test will be representative of the overall U.S. 
school population. Field-testing with a diverse sample 
of students from a variety of schools, locations, and 
backgrounds ensures that the assessment wording and 
concepts are not regionally, culturally, or socially biased, 
and to evaluate performance among students with a 
variety of digital skills.