In this study, the authors employed a multilevel analysis procedure to examine the key pupil- and school-level factors that influenced reading and mathematics achievement among Grade 5 primary school pupils in Laos. The data for this study were collected in 2007 as part of a major project (known as Laos Grade 5 Survey) that sought to examine the quality of education offered in primary schools in Laos. Results show that pupil's age, school resources and learning materials such as pencils, erasers and exercise books are important factors in the prediction of achievement in reading and mathematics at Grade 5 level in Laos. From the results of the analyses, several policy suggestions have been made to improve the facets of education that seem to be worthy of action.