Standard Setting in PISA and TIMSS and How These Procedures Can Be Used Nationally

Abstract

In this chapter, we compare and discuss similarities and differences in the way the two large-scale international studies, PISA and TIMSS, formulate and set descriptions of standards. Although the studies use similar methods, different decisions have been made regarding the nature and properties of the final descriptions of student achievement. In addition to this overview, we treat PISA and TIMSS as case studies in order to illustrate an under-researched area in standard setting: the nature of and empirical basis for the development of performance level descriptors (PLDs). We conclude by discussing how these procedures may be relevant for formulating useful standards in tests and assessments in the Norwegian context.