Before the Assessment
Watch this video to learn about the steps required for schools to administer TIMSS 2026.
A sample of schools has been randomly selected to participate in Canada’s field test taking place between March 10 and April 17, 2025. In each selected school, at least one Grade 4 class will be selected to participate in the assessment. The relevant provincial ministry or department of education will contact selected schools with the list of selected classes, as well as other important information. The Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) will provide schools with the required assessment materials and information to prepare for the administration of the assessment.
Every student in the selected class(es) will participate in a testing and a questionnaire session. The parents/guardians of the selected students will be asked to complete a Home Questionnaire. Additionally, the language arts teacher(s) of the selected class(es) will be asked to complete a Teacher Questionnaire, and the school principal will be asked to complete a School Questionnaire.
Please note that the assessment is not in any way an effort to evaluate the performance of individual students, teachers, or school principals. No data will be published that will enable individual students, teachers, parents/guardians, or schools to be identified. The data that the schools are being asked to collect will enable us to monitor education systems and provide policy-relevant information without revealing the identity of the respondents.
Click here for more information regarding the TIMSS assessment content, framework, and Canadian results from past cycles.