Excellent Results in TIMSS 2023

We are delighted to share the impressive performance of its Year 5 students in the TIMSS 2023 international benchmarking tests for Mathematics and Science.  These results confirm that AWIS students are achieving at a high level compared with international expectations, and that the school’s learning environment is preparing children very well for the next stages of their education. 

What is TIMSS?

TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) is a major international assessment that measures how well students around the world are learning Maths and Science.  First conducted in 1995 and repeated every four years, TIMSS now provides almost three decades of data on pupils’ achievement and the classroom factors that influence it.  The assessment is overseen by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) and is designed specifically to allow fair comparisons between different curricula and education systems. 

In TIMSS, student performance is reported on a scale where 500 represents the international centre point.  Achievement is also grouped into international benchmarks – Low, Intermediate, High and Advanced – which indicate the types of skills and understanding students have demonstrated, from basic recall through to more complex reasoning and problem solving.  This structure makes the results particularly useful for schools that wish to understand not only how well their students perform, but also which aspects of the curriculum are relative strengths and which need further development. 

Why TIMSS matters in Qatar

Qatar has participated in TIMSS since 2007.  The Ministry of Education and Higher Education uses TIMSS data to evaluate how the national education system is performing in relation to other countries and to inform curriculum reform, teacher development and wider education policy.  This work supports the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, which emphasises high‑quality education as the foundation for long‑term economic and social development. 

For schools in Qatar, TIMSS provides an independent, internationally recognised measure of students’ achievement in core subjects.  Results help leaders and teachers to verify the effectiveness of teaching approaches, identify any gaps in provision, and design targeted strategies to raise standards even further.  For parents, strong performance in TIMSS offers reassurance that their children’s school is delivering learning that stands up to international scrutiny and aligns closely with global expectations in Maths and Science. 

Schools participating in Qatar

TIMSS 2023 saw a large and diverse sample of schools from across Qatar take part.  In total, 345 schools representing different types of provision and curricula participated in the study, including government schools, private Arabic schools, international schools and community schools.  This breadth of participation helps ensure that the national results provide a fair and representative picture of student achievement across the country’s education system. 

Across these schools, 10,710 students of various nationalities sat the TIMSS assessments in 2023.  The inclusion of such a large cohort allows detailed analysis of how different groups of students are performing and how factors such as curriculum, school type and language of instruction may influence outcomes.  

As an international school following a British‑style curriculum, AWIS forms part of this wider picture and contributes to the national dialogue about how best to support pupils in Maths and Science. 

AWIS participation in TIMSS 2023

In the 2023 cycle, 22 Year 5 students from AWIS took part in TIMSS (Year 5 in the British system corresponds to the "Grade 4" mentioned in the TIMMS report). This provides an important snapshot of pupils’ understanding towards the end of primary education.  

At AWIS, participation in TIMSS is part of a broader commitment to external benchmarking. We also participate in PIRLS (an international benchmark broadly similar to TIMMS, but focussed on reading and literacy) and use commercially available international benchmarking tests from GL Education. These supplement internal assessments and teacher observations to ensure our regular communication with families is informed by a realistic, internationally validated, assessment of student achievement. 

Headline results for AWIS in 2023

The overall results for AWIS in TIMSS 2023 are highly encouraging.  In Mathematics, AWIS Year 5 students achieved an average score of 547, significantly above the IEA international average of 503.  In Science, the average for AWIS was 553, again clearly ahead of the international average of 494.  On the TIMSS scale, these scores place AWIS students comfortably within the High international benchmark in both subjects, indicating that they can apply their knowledge in a range of contexts and demonstrate strong conceptual understanding. 

The report also shows that AWIS students have a solid foundation across the main content areas of the curriculum.  In Maths, pupils performed strongly in number, measurement and geometry, and data handling, demonstrating confidence with key skills such as working with decimals, interpreting graphs and applying measurement concepts.  In Science, students showed secure understanding in life sciences, physical sciences and earth sciences, and were able to apply this knowledge to practical and real‑world situations. 

Performance by gender and nationality

TIMSS provides detailed information about different groups of students, which helps schools reflect on equity and inclusion.  At AWIS, the 2023 data show that girls performed particularly strongly, with female students scoring higher than male students in both Mathematics and Science.  In Year 5 Mathematics, the average for girls exceeded the average for boys by 23 points, while in Science the gap was 27 points in favour of girls.  This pattern suggests that AWIS is successfully fostering high aspirations and achievement for girls in STEM‑related subjects. 

The report also highlights differences in performance between Qatari and non‑Qatari students, a trend that is observed nationally across many schools.  At AWIS, non‑Qatari students outperformed Qatari students by 107 points in Mathematics and 95 points in Science in TIMSS 2023.  The Ministry’s guidance notes suggest that factors such as language, cultural expectations and prior educational experiences may contribute to these gaps, and recommends targeted support in areas such as English language development, additional academic support and closer home–school partnerships.  AWIS is already reflecting on this guidance as part of its ongoing school improvement planning. 

Comparing TIMSS 2023 with TIMSS 2019

TIMSS is especially valuable because it tracks achievement over time, allowing schools to see whether changes to teaching and learning are having the desired impact.  AWIS has now participated in several cycles, and the results are consistantly very positive.  

In TIMSS 2019, 81% of AWIS students achieved at either the High or Advanced benchmark in Mathematics, and 75% reached these levels in Science.  Those results were described at the time as “outstanding” and highlighted the effectiveness of the school’s curriculum and teaching approaches. 

The TIMSS 2023 data confirm that AWIS has maintained a strong performance, even if down slightly on 2019. 57% of AWIS students achieved at either the High or Advanced benchmark in Mathematics, and 59% reached these levels in Science.  The overall average scores in 2023 place AWIS students again firmly within the High benchmark in both subjects, consistent with the profile seen in 2019.  

When looking at the trend over all cycles, AWIS has sustained very high standards in Maths and Science, with scores that regularly exceed both national and international averages. There is variability from one cycle to the next, but this is in part due to the relatively small sample size (21 students in 2023). This continuity is particularly impressive given the global disruption to education in recent years, and reflects the school’s commitment to high‑quality teaching, careful curriculum planning and effective use of assessment information. 

What lies behind AWIS success?

Several factors contribute to the strong TIMSS results at AWIS.  First, the school follows a British‑style curriculum aligned to the National Curriculum for England, adapted carefully for the international context in Qatar.  This ensures clear progression in key concepts and skills in Maths and Science from Early Years through to Year 6.  The curriculum is supported by a child‑centred approach that encourages enquiry, problem‑solving and critical thinking, which are all emphasised in TIMSS frameworks. 

Secondly, AWIS places a strong emphasis on a caring and supportive learning environment.  Small class sizes, close relationships between teachers and students, and regular communication with families help create an atmosphere in which children feel confident to ask questions, explore new ideas and persevere with challenging tasks.  This culture of encouragement and high expectations is particularly important in subjects such as Maths and Science, where some students can lack confidence. 

Thirdly, the school values data‑informed decision‑making.  TIMSS is one of several sources of evidence used alongside internal assessment data, teacher judgement and student voice.  Leaders and teachers analyse this information to pinpoint strengths, identify areas for development and plan targeted interventions where needed.  The detailed breakdowns provided in the TIMSS report, including performance by content and cognitive domains, will now be used to refine planning and ensure that teaching continues to stretch the most able while supporting those who need additional help. 

Looking ahead: building on strong foundations

While AWIS is proud of its students’ achievements in TIMSS 2023, the school’s focus remains firmly on continuous improvement.  The report offers specific suggestions and prompts for schools across Qatar, particularly in addressing performance gaps and further enhancing students’ language, problem‑solving and higher‑order thinking skills.  AWIS will use these insights, together with feedback from teachers, students and parents, to refine teaching approaches and strengthen support for all learners, including Qatari students and other groups who may face additional challenges. 

For families considering AWIS, the TIMSS 2023 results offer clear evidence that the school delivers a high‑quality, internationally benchmarked education in Mathematics and Science.  For current students and parents, they are a source of pride and a testament to the hard work, curiosity and resilience that children show every day in the classroom.  Most importantly, these outcomes reflect the collective efforts of students, teachers, support staff and families working together in a caring, ambitious and truly international school community in the heart of Doha.