About PISA
The Programme for International Student Assessment
What is PISA?
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is the world’s biggest international education study, involving schools and pupils in over 90 countries. PISA is run by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) every three years. The study makes it possible to evaluate education systems worldwide by measuring the knowledge and skills of pupils close to the end of compulsory education in reading, mathematics, and science. Through analysis of pupils' scores, alongside contextual information on pupil characteristics and engagement, school management, and national policy, the study offers a chance to understand differences in pupil performance, both across and within participating countries.
The focus of the 2025 PISA cycle will be science, with a larger proportion of questions targeting this area.
Taking part in PISA allows participating countries to compare their achievement internationally, to learn from the policies and practices of other countries, and monitor trends over time. These activities are key to improving educational attainment and experiences.
The PISA assessment comprises:
An onscreen assessment for pupils
This assesses competency in science, reading and mathematics. The assessment is comprised of two one-hour sections.
A background questionnaire for pupils
Asking about their characteristics, school and learning experiences.
A school questionnaire for the headteachers/principals
Asking about the context of their school, staff and pupils.
- March 2024 – Schools and pupils take part in the PISA Field Trial.
- February to April 2025 – Schools and pupils in England participate in the PISA Main Study.
- September to October 2025 – Schools and pupils in Wales and Northern Ireland participate in the PISA Main Study.
- December 2026 – Findings for each country are published in an international report by the OECD. National reports will be written for England (by OUCEA), Wales and Northern Ireland (by UCL).
