The staff of the Center for Evaluation & Education Policy (CEEP) at Indiana University is often asked about how international large-scale assessments influence U.S. educational policy. This policy brief is designed to provide answers to some of the most frequently asked questions encountered by CEEP researchers concerning the three most popular international education large-scale assessments: the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA); the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS); and the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). This brief will focus, in particular, on how these three international assessments function and how they are relevant for American education. Finally, for those interested in learning more about international large-scale assessments, this brief also offers suggestions for further reading. (Contains 2 tables.)