What is Pisa?
Overview PISA Welcome What is Pisa? Which Countries Take Part in PISA? What Information does PISA collect? What does PISA tell us? PISA 2006 PISA 2009 Publications Useful Links National Advisory Committee Contact Information for Students ICCS TALIS	PISA is an international assessment of the reading, science and mathematical literacy of 15-year-old students.  It takes place in 3-year cycles, allowing us to monitor changes in student achievement and other features of the education system over time.  Three main areas, or ‘domains’, are examined in every cycle, but the major domain changes with each cycle.  In PISA 2000, the major domain was reading literacy, in PISA 2003, it was mathematical literacy, and in PISA 2006, science was the major domain.  In PISA 2009, reading literacy will again be the main domain.   Why is PISA important? How is PISA conducted? Who Participates? Why is PISA important PISA provides information about education systems, and allows us to compare students across a large number of countries.  It is one of the largest assessments in the world, and it: assesses students’ real-life knowledge and skills and preparedness for future adult participation in society provides internationally comparable measures of student achievement examines the relationship between student achievement and factors such as school and student characteristics examines changes in achievement and other factors over time helps to focus educational policy. How is PISA conducted? PISA takes place in three year cycles.  In the first year of the cycle, test and questionnaire items are developed and tested, and participating countries conduct Field Trials (test runs) to ensure that the main assessment will run smoothly.  In the second year, the main assessment takes place and the resulting national data are collected, checked and then combined with data from all participating countries to produce an international dataset.  In the third year of the cycle, the data are analysed, and national and international reports are written and published.  Who participates? PISA assesses 15-year-old students, since in most OECD countries students at this age are approaching the end of compulsory schooling.  First, a representative sample of schools is selected (e.g., reflecting a mixture of schools by size, location, type, and gender composition).  Next, 15-year-old students are sampled at random within participating schools.  In schools with 35 or fewer 15-year-olds, all are selected.  In larger schools, 35 students (again, all aged 15) are selected at random.  Because PISA selects students based on age, not grade level, participating students usually represent a range of grades.  For example, while most PISA 2006 students in Ireland were Third Year students, some Second Year, Transition Year, and Fifth Year students also took part.

International Studies

What is Pisa?

PISA is an international assessment of the reading, science and mathematical literacy of 15-year-old students.  It takes place in 3-year cycles, allowing us to monitor changes in student achievement and other features of the education system over time.  Three main areas, or ‘domains’, are examined in every cycle, but the major domain changes with each cycle.  In PISA 2000, the major domain was reading literacy, in PISA 2003, it was mathematical literacy, and in PISA 2006, science was the major domain.  In PISA 2009, reading literacy will again be the main domain.  

• Why is PISA important?
• How is PISA conducted?
• Who Participates?

Why is PISA important

PISA provides information about education systems, and allows us to compare students across a large number of countries.  It is one of the largest assessments in the world, and it:

• assesses students’ real-life knowledge and skills and preparedness for future adult participation in society
• provides internationally comparable measures of student achievement
• examines the relationship between student achievement and factors such as school and student characteristics
• examines changes in achievement and other factors over time
• helps to focus educational policy.

How is PISA conducted?

PISA takes place in three year cycles.  In the first year of the cycle, test and questionnaire items are developed and tested, and participating countries conduct Field Trials (test runs) to ensure that the main assessment will run smoothly.  In the second year, the main assessment takes place and the resulting national data are collected, checked and then combined with data from all participating countries to produce an international dataset.  In the third year of the cycle, the data are analysed, and national and international reports are written and published. 

Who participates?

PISA assesses 15-year-old students, since in most OECD countries students at this age are approaching the end of compulsory schooling.  First, a representative sample of schools is selected (e.g., reflecting a mixture of schools by size, location, type, and gender composition).  Next, 15-year-old students are sampled at random within participating schools.  In schools with 35 or fewer 15-year-olds, all are selected.  In larger schools, 35 students (again, all aged 15) are selected at random.  Because PISA selects students based on age, not grade level, participating students usually represent a range of grades.  For example, while most PISA 2006 students in Ireland were Third Year students, some Second Year, Transition Year, and Fifth Year students also took part.