Program for International Student Assessment (PISA)

3. KEY CONCEPTS

The core types of literacy measured by PISA are defined as follows.

Reading literacy. An individual's capacity to understand, use, reflect on and engage with written texts, in order to achieve one's goals, to develop one's knowledge and potential, and to participate in society.

Mathematics literacy. An individual's capacity to identify and understand the role that mathematics plays in the world, make well-founded judgments, and use and engage with mathematics in ways that meet one's needs as a constructive, concerned, and reflective citizen.

Science literacy. An individual's scientific knowledge and the use of that knowledge to identify questions, acquire new knowledge, explain scientific phenomena, and draw evidence-based conclusions about science-related issues; an understanding of the characteristic features of science as a form of human knowledge and inquiry; an awareness of how science and technology shape our material, intellectual, and cultural environments; and a willingness to engage in science-related issues—and with the ideas of science—as a reflective citizen.