Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)
Through the ADR Scotland programme, accredited researchers can now securely access Scottish Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) data from the 2012, 2015 and 2018 survey cycles within the Scottish National Safe Haven. PISA is widely recognised as a global benchmark for measuring the skills of 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics and science. It is carried out every three years by member countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Around 3,000 pupils in each survey cycle
Carried out every three years (2012, 2015 and 2018)
Reading, mathematics and science assessed
In Scotland, around 3,000 pupils participated in each survey cycle. The dataset includes detailed background information from pupils and headteachers, covering factors such as socioeconomic context, attitudes to learning and school environments. When linked to administrative data, including the Pupil Census and Attendance and Absence records, researchers can use this data to explore how wider life circumstances and school experiences shape attainment and development over time.
Research questions could include:
What factors are most strongly associated with high performance in mathematics, reading and science?
How do PISA outcomes vary for care-experienced young people compared with their peers?
Is PISA performance a predictor for participation and success in higher education, apprenticeships or employment?
Is PISA performance impacted by different local community characteristics (socio-economic, digital access)?
This transforms PISA from a largely standalone international comparison tool into a rich, connected resource for understanding educational journeys in Scotland. It can generate insights to support the delivery of Scottish Government policy priorities laid out in the National Improvement Framework, Getting It Right For Every Child, The Promise and the Scottish Attainment Challenge. Research using the data will have the potential to inform decisions in focus areas including education reform, closing the poverty-related attainment gap, improving wellbeing, enhancing literacy and numeracy outcomes and ensuring positive school leaver destinations.
Additional information, including how to apply for access to the dataset, can be found in the Research Data Scotland metadata catalogue. You can also find additional content about PISA and how the survey was conducted on the Scottish Government website for 2018, 2015 and 2012.
