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The Program of International

Student Assessment

Julie Nhem
Deakin University
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What is PISA?
The Program for International Student Assessment is a
triennial international survey which aims to evaluate
education systems worldwide by testing the skills and
knowledge of 15 year old students (Organisation for
Economic Cooperation Development 2016)

It measures the ability of students to use their skills and

knowledge to meet real life challenges. It focuses on
Science, Reading and Maths (OECD 2016).

The test is conducted every three years.

PISA attempts to measure the knowledge and skills that

students possess towards the end of their years in school
which will enable them to participate fully in adult life
(Australian Council for Educational Research 2017).
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Purpose of PISA

To focus on how well students are prepared for lifelong

learning in the areas of reading, mathematical and scientific
literacy.

Allows participating countries such as Australia to learn from

other countries practices.

It monitors the performance of students over time. The

regularity of the test allows comparability from one cycle to
the next and to identify whether any policy changes have
made an effect on educational standards. (ACER 2017)

Allows governments to further understand and enhance the

effectiveness of the educational system on a national and
state based level.
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What does PISA look like?
The test questions are either multiple choice or short
answers.

The test focuses on the areas of mathematical literacy,

reading, and science literacy.

Students are also required to complete a background

questionnaire providing information about themselves,
their attitudes to learning and their homes (OECD 2016).

Participating countries are also given the option to

administer optional PISA questionnaire such as the
computer familiarity test, educational career
questionnaire and a parent background questionnaire
(OECD 2016).
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Outcomes of PISA

During the last PISA testing in 2015 (ACER 2017):

A total of 72 countries participated

A total of 540,000 students worldwide sat the test

A total 14,530 Australians were amongst the students

And a total of 758 schools were involved.

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Australia and PISA
Below is a set of graphs which highlights the
performance of Australian students participating in PISA.

(ACER
2017)
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Australia and PISA

(ACER
2017)
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Positive Impact of PISA
Australia is making a valuable contribution to the education
community both nationally and internationally through
participating in an assessment such as this (Education
Council 2014).

PISA has a real life focus and it involves student applying

what they know and can do.

Students are able to demonstrate their capability to analyse,

reason and communicate effectively as they pose, interpret
and solve problems in a variety of situations (ACER 2017).

International testing allows schools and students the

opportunity to experience cutting edge assessment, designed
by international experts which is applicable to all students
(Education Council 2014).

Student motivation increases as they are given a rare chance

to participate in a test which is conducted internationally.
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Negative impact of PISA
There has been problems with making international comparisons
using the PISA test scores. A majority of the test is presented in
English, however, the content is translated into more than 40
languages for survey use. The quality of translation may cause
challenges (Baird et al. 2011, p.8).

Not all 15 year olds who participate in the assessment are

towards the end of their education.

PISA occurs every three years, which makes it difficult to rely on

the statistics for change.

Minimal teacher involvement.

Despite the intention to look beyond the curriculum, what is

taught in schools will ultimately impact the students
performances. There will be more or less similarity between
what is taught and he PISA skills domain across different
countries (Baird et al. 2011, p.8).
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References
Australian Council for Educational Research 2017, FAQS, ACER,
retrieved 21 March 2017 < https://www.acer.org/ozpisa/faqs>

Australian Council for Educational Research 2017, Key Findings,

retrieved 21 March 2017 https://www.acer.org/ozpisa/key-findings

Baird, AJ Isaacs, T Johnson, S Stobart, G YU, G T, Sprague R, Daugherty

2011, Policy Effects of PISA, Oxford University Centre for Educational
assessment, retrieved 20 March 2017 <
http://oucea.education.ox.ac.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P
olicy-Effects-of-PISA-
OUCEA.pdf>

Education Council 2014, Benefits of International Studies of Student

Achievement, Education Council, retrieved 20 March 2017,<
http://www.educationcouncil.edu.au/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/do
cuments/Reports%20and%20publications/Archive%20Publications/Measu
ring%20and%20Reporting%20Student%20Performance/Benefits_of_Intern
ational_Studies_May_06.
pdf>

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development 2016, About,

OECD retrieved 20 March 2017 < http://www.oecd.org/pisa/aboutpisa/
>