Korea’s middle school students ranked top in math proficiency and third in science in the world, while primary students ranked top in science and second in mathematics, a global-assessment data showed on Tuesday.

According to the data released by the international research association IEA, students aged 13-14 years old in Korea received the highest average score of 613 in mathematics among 42 countries, followed by that of Singapore with 611.

Singapore topped in science proficiency in the age group with 590 points, followed by Taiwan and Korea with 564 and 560, respectively.

In students aged 8-9 years old, Korea topped in science proficiency with average 587 points, followed by Singapore with 583. Singapore and Korea also came top in mathematics with 606 and 605 points respectively.

The international research association IEA released Tuesday its 2011 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study.

The world-wide assessment examined around 300,000 students aged 8-9 in 50 member nations also 300,000 students aged 13-14 in 42 countries respectively.

In Korea, 4,335 students aged 8-9 years and 5,167 students aged 13-14 participated from 300 schools.

By Oh Kyu-wook (596stroy@heraldcorp.com)