Test your PISA knowledge!

Did you know that the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment, or PISA, can tell us not only how students do in school, but how they feel about school? This month’s issue of PISA in Focus, for example, examines students’ sense of belonging at school, and whether that feeling of being a part of a larger community has, on average, intensified or waned over the past decade.

This issue offers just one small piece of information we can glean from PISA results; but it also marks a milestone: it is the 100th issue of PISA in Focus. The reader-friendly briefs that highlight important findings from the world’s most comprehensive student assessment first appeared in February 2011. To celebrate the 100th issue of PISA in Focus (or PiF, as it’s affectionately known here at the OECD Directorate for Education and Skills), we’d like to share with you 100 things we’ve learned from PISA over the past eight years.

But first, why not take our short quiz to see how much you’ve already learned? (And don’t forget: we’ll be learning a lot more on 3 December, when results from PISA 2018 are released…)

1.

In 2015, the majority of students in all countries that participated in PISA reported that they feel they belong to the school community. In the vast majority of countries, this sense of belonging at school had done what since 2003?

Weakened

Strengthened

Remained the same

2.

What proportion of students in OECD countries had already repeated a grade before the age of 15?

one in 8

one in 20

one in 35

one in 50

3.

When 15-year-old boys and girls perform at the same level in mathematics…

their parents are likely to expect that both their sons and their daughters will pursue a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM)

their parents are more likely to expect that their daughters will pursue a STEM career

their parents are more likely to expect that their sons will pursue a STEM career

their parents are likely to expect that neither their sons nor their daughters will pursue a STEM career

4.

In 2012, 15-year-old students in OECD countries reported that they spend an average of 21 hours per week on the Internet. Three years later, the average number of hours spent per week on the Internet had...

decreased, to 19 hours per week

increased, to 23 hours per week

increased, to 25 hours per week

increased, to 29 hours per week

5.

Immigrant students who share a common country of origin, and thus many cultural similarities…

perform very differently, depending on the country of destination

perform similarly, regardless of the country of destination

show the same behavioural problems, regardless of the country of destination

show the same attitudes towards learning, regardless of the country of destination

6.

School principals across OECD countries cite two problems that hinder student learning the most. Which two?

shortage of educational materials and of teachers

student truancy and teacher shortage

student truancy and staff resisting change

teacher shortage and staff resisting change

7.

What proportion of 15-year-old students in OECD countries scores below the baseline level of proficiency in at least one of the core subjects PISA assesses (reading, mathematics and science)?

More than one in 4 students

More than one in 6 students

More than one in 10 students

More than one in 20 students

8.

What percentage of students worries about taking tests?

Nearly 10%

Nearly 20%

Nearly 60%

Nearly 80%

Learn more about PISA on our website!

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Published by OECD Education and Skills Today