Mathematics learning and achievement is one area of research that has gained momentum
in recent years because of its importance as a subject in the school curriculum and its
usefulness as a prerequisite for developing the quantitative and analytical skills. However,
studies on factors affecting mathematics achievement in Malaysia are limited both in terms
of the number as well as the scope. It is the aim of this study to take a closer look at the
relationship between student and background factors and mathematics achievement
among secondary school students in Malaysia using the most recent Trend in International
Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2007 data. The results suggested that female,
educational resources, students’ attitude, homework and school environment have
significant positive effect on mathematics performance. The two factors having opposite
effects are age of the students and language spoken at home. Mathematics performance is
found to decrease with increasing age and students who did not speak the language of the
test at home have significantly higher scores than those who did. These results have
important implications especially for educators as well as policy makers involved in
education