A comparative study of variables related to students' success in the 2015 international TIMSS test

The aim of this study is to investigate the factors affecting the academic achievement of students based on the data of the international TIMSS test. The method of the study is comparative-quantitative. The sample of the study is comprised of students from the eighth grade of 57 countries participating in the 2015 international TIMSS test. The data has been analyzed using fuzzy logic approach. The results of single and sufficient terms indicated that the condition of the relationship between home and school, the social atmosphere of the school, students' attitudes and educational activities in the classroom alone would be necessary conditions and family background is a sufficient condition for the outcome of the academic achievement. In causative and hybrid causative factors, only one causal path was necessary based on the criteria of theoretical and experimental adequacy (coefficient of coverage and adaptability) of the theoretical and empirical significance. In this causal path, the family background and the relationship between home and school in combination, together, provided a sufficient causative factor for the desired outcomes academic success.