BOSTON (CBS) – Massachusetts students are among the smartest in the world when it comes to math and science, according to the newly released results of an international aptitude test.

The state’s eighth graders scored first in the nation on both math and science in the 2011 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS).

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Doug Cope reports

Worldwide, only Singapore outscored Bay State students in the science part of the study. Massachusetts students tied for fifth overall internationally in math.

“This assessment tells us tells us that not only are we strong compared to our US counterparts, but we are very strong in terms of the education we provide relative to the rest of the world,” State Education Commissioner Edward Chester told WBZ NewsRadio 1030.

Commissioner Chester calls the results “outstanding,” and calls them a tribute to Massachusetts teachers, administrators and students.

But, he admits more needs to be done.

“We need to make sure that we don’t become complacent. We still have students who aren’t succeeding. And our goal is to make sure every student secures a world-class education,” he said. “We aren’t there yet, but we’re well on our way.”