Mathematics

Average PISA Maths scores in selected OECD countries, 2018

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Scotland’s average mathematics score (489) was slightly below the OECD average in 2018 (494). Of the selected OECD countries, Spain had the lowest score with 481 and Netherlands had the highest average score with 519. 

Average PISA Maths scores in selected OECD countries, 2003 - 2018

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Scotland’s average score for Mathematics in 2003 was considerably higher than the other selected OECD countries. However, the average score declined throughout the period and dipped below the OECD average from 2015. Spain consistently had the lowest score, while Germany’s average Maths score was the highest from 2009 up until when Norway had the highest score in 2018.

Notes

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an assessment of 15 year-olds’ skills carried out under the auspices of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The programme runs every three years across all OECD members and a variety of partner countries. Scotland has participated since the first wave of testing in 2000.

 Around 510,000 students participated in the study worldwide. This includes the 34 member states of the OECD and 31 “partner countries and economies”.