What is PISA?

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an international research programme coordinated by the OECD and conducted every four years around the world.

Not all schools in New Zealand participate in the PISA Study. QMC chooses to take part because it provides valuable insights into student achievement, wellbeing and future readiness, while also contributing to educational research at a national and international level.

What is the PISA Study evaluating?

PISA assesses how well 15-year-olds can apply their learning to real-world problems and situations. Rather than measuring what students can memorise, it evaluates their ability to:

• Think critically
• Solve problems
• Apply knowledge
• Interpret information
• Make informed decisions

The PISA Study is designed to evaluate how effectively schools are helping students develop the knowledge, skills and capabilities they will need for life beyond school and informed citizenship in the modern world.

What methodology is used?

Alongside academic testing, students complete a detailed questionnaire about their experiences, attitudes, aspirations and learning strategies, providing valuable insight into student perspectives on life and learning at school.

Find out more about what the PISA Study 2025 found about QMC

▶️ Take a deeper dive into the PISA Study 2025's findings about learning and teaching at QMC.

▶️ Take a deeper dive and learn more about what the PISA study found about life at QMC.

▶️ Take a deeper dive and learn more about what the PISA study found about how QMC is preparing students for the future.