Math & Geometry · Facts & Figures
U.S. Mathematics Performance
Explore national mathematics performance at grades 4 and 8, how scores changed after the pandemic, achievement levels, and what the Nation’s Report Card measures.
Interactive comparison
National mathematics score trend
Switch between average scores, achievement-level cut scores, and the content emphasis of the 2024 assessment.
National trend
Grade 4 improved from 2022; grade 8 was not significantly different
| Grade | 2019 | 2022 | 2024 | 2022 → 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 4 mathematics | 241 | 235 | 237 | +2 points |
| Grade 8 mathematics | 282 | 273 | 272 | Not significantly different |
NAEP scores for grades 4 and 8 use a 0–500 scale. Scores should be compared within the same subject and grade, not across grades.
What students are measured on
Geometry is one part of a broader mathematics framework
The assessment also covers measurement, data analysis, statistics, and probability. This makes NAEP a useful national view of mathematical knowledge and problem solving rather than a test of one formula or topic.
Achievement levels
NAEP performance standards add context to the scale scores
| Grade | NAEP Basic | NAEP Proficient | NAEP Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 4 | 214 | 249 | 282 |
| Grade 8 | 262 | 299 | 333 |
Important: NAEP Proficient is an NAEP performance standard; it does not mean the same thing as a state’s definition of grade-level proficiency.
What the data shows
The post-pandemic mathematics picture remains mixed
Fourth-grade mathematics improved from 2022 to 2024, but the national average remained below 2019. Eighth-grade performance did not show a statistically significant improvement from 2022 and also remained below 2019. NAEP’s long-running framework lets these results be viewed in historical context while also showing how performance differs across states and student groups.
Methodology & source
About these figures
The National Assessment of Educational Progress is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics. The 2024 mathematics assessment included approximately 117,900 fourth-graders and 115,200 eighth-graders. National, state, and selected district results are reported as average scale scores and percentages at NAEP achievement levels.
Sources: NCES — The Nation’s Report Card: Mathematics · 2024 mathematics question distribution · NAEP mathematics achievement levels.
CalculateMeasure refresh: Aug. 22, 2026 · Review cadence: Biennial/source-triggered when NCES publishes the next grades 4 and 8 mathematics results.
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