Form 3 students have put Malta in the 16th position out of 49 countries in mathematics and in the 30th in science.

Results from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 2007 involving 36 countries at Grade 4 and 49 countries at Grade 8 have been released by the International Association for the Assessment of Educational Achievement.

The study is carried out every four years and provides data about mathematics and science achievement over time.

Malta participated for the first time at 8th Grade (Form 3) assessment in mathematics and science. All 59 secondary schools took part.

The top performing countries were Asian countries, including the Chinese Taipei, Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea. The Russian Federation and Slovenia were among the countries that made the biggest improvement since 2003.

In mathematics, Malta performed better than many European countries including Scotland, Italy, Cyprus and Norway.

In science it performed better than neighbouring countries Cyprus and Tunisia but most European countries performed better.