Every three years, while teenagers around the world focus on their regular studies, a select group of 15-year-olds participates in what has been called the "Olympics of Education"—the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
Created by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), this international assessment doesn't just test whether students can recall facts; it measures their ability to apply knowledge to real-life challenges 1 . As education systems globally face unprecedented challenges—from digital transformation to the need for environmental stewardship—PISA has become increasingly influential in shaping national education policies and practices.
This article explores how this international knowledge assessment system works, what it reveals about global education, and why its implementation prospects matter for the future of learning worldwide.
Unlike traditional exams that focus on curriculum content, PISA assesses how effectively students can apply their reading, mathematics, and science knowledge to solve problems they might encounter in everyday life 1 . The program tests 15-year-olds because this age represents a critical point where students in most countries are nearing the end of compulsory education.
"Success in the 21st century requires more than just subject knowledge—it demands adaptable skills and competencies that transcend traditional academic boundaries."
The PISA 2025 framework represents a significant shift in how educational outcomes are conceptualized and measured. Previous frameworks centered on "scientific literacy," but the current approach has broadened to examine general outcomes of science education 6 .
Using scientific knowledge to recognize, produce, and apply explanations for natural and technological phenomena 6
Designing investigations, interpreting data, and drawing appropriate conclusions 6
Critically assessing information sources and making informed decisions 6
The upcoming 2025 assessment introduces a groundbreaking component called "Learning in the Digital World," which focuses on two essential competencies for learning with technologies:
Monitoring and controlling one's metacognitive, cognitive, behavioural, motivational and affective processes while learning 4
Using digital tools to explore systems, represent ideas and solve problems with computational logic 4
This innovation recognizes that as technology advances, young people must be prepared to "interact with computational models and simulated realities, and to solve problems using digital tools" 4 .
| Digital Skill | Percentage of Students Taught This Skill |
|---|---|
| How to detect phishing or spam emails |
|
| How to use the short description below search results |
|
| How to detect whether information is subjective or biased |
|
| How to use keywords when using a search engine |
|
PISA employs a sophisticated sampling methodology where approximately 15-year-old students are selected randomly from participating schools in each country. The assessment includes a combination of multiple-choice questions and constructed-response items that require students to generate their own answers.
The tests are designed to be completed in two hours, with additional time devoted to background questionnaires that gather information about students' attitudes, beliefs, and learning environments.
PISA's comprehensive approach extends beyond cognitive testing to include questionnaires that assess:
Currently underway with results to be published in 2026, will focus on science and include the innovative "Learning in the Digital World" assessment 1 4 . It will also introduce a new assessment of foreign languages, recognizing the importance of multilingualism in a globalized world.
Already in planning stages, will focus on reading with an innovative domain of "Media and Artificial Intelligence Literacy" 1 . This forward-looking approach demonstrates PISA's commitment to staying relevant in a rapidly changing information landscape.
A new international assessment measuring skills of learners completing vocational education and training programs 1 .
Providing school-level estimates of performance to help individual schools benchmark their results internationally 1 .
A project aiming to establish an international framework for future development of education systems 1 .
Recent PISA developments have placed increased emphasis on making the assessment accessible to all students, including those with special educational needs. Pilot studies have explored accessible test forms for students with moderate difficulties seeing, specific difficulties reading, and difficulties focusing and controlling behavior 1 .
These studies have shown promising results, with students engaging effectively with accommodations like:
Based on PISA accessibility studies 1
As education faces unprecedented challenges—from digital transformation to environmental crises—the international assessment of knowledge through programs like PISA has never been more critical. These assessments provide valuable insights that help education systems worldwide prepare students not just for exams, but for life.
The implementation prospects of international knowledge assessment are evolving toward more inclusive, forward-looking approaches that measure not only what students know, but how they think, solve problems, and engage with an increasingly complex world.
As PISA expands to assess skills like digital literacy, environmental agency, and AI awareness, it reflects a growing understanding that the classrooms of today must prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow.
Perhaps most importantly, PISA and similar assessments have created a global conversation about educational quality—one that transcends national boundaries and political differences in pursuit of better learning outcomes for all children. In an interconnected world, this shared understanding of what works in education may prove to be one of our most powerful tools for building a better future.
This article was developed based on information from the OECD's official PISA resources and frameworks for 2025. For more detailed information about PISA methodology and results, visit the OECD official website.