Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)

On this page:

• Background
• Administration and results

 Background

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an international assessment that measures 15-year-old students’ knowledge and skills in the areas of reading, mathematics and science. PISA is organized by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Within Canada, PISA is coordinated by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC).

Rather than testing on facts, PISA focuses on students’ ability to use their knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges. Students complete both multiple-choice and open-ended questions. PISA has also recently incorporated a computer-based assessment with interactive questions. Questionnaires are also completed by students and schools to better understand factors that contribute to the success of students, schools and education systems.

Administration and results

The first administration of PISA was in 2000, and it takes place once every three years. Although each PISA administration includes questions on all three domains (areas of focus), the major domain changes from one administration to the next. The major domain for each year is indicated below in bold: 

• PISA 2022 Summary of Results (PDF) – Reading, Mathematics, and Science
• PISA 2018 Summary of Results – Reading, Mathematics, and Science
• PISA 2015 Summary of Results – Reading, Mathematics, and Science
• PISA 2012 Summary of Results (PDF) – Reading, Mathematics, and Science
• PISA 2009 Summary of Results (PDF) – Reading, Mathematics, and Science
• PISA 2006 Summary of Results (PDF) – Reading, Mathematics, and Science
• PISA 2003 Summary of Results (PDF) – Reading, Mathematics, and Science
• PISA 2000 Summary of Results (PDF) – Reading, Mathematics, and Science