PISA 2025: Slovak Students above OECD Average in Mathematical Literacy

Bratislava, 8 September (TASR) - The results of 15-year-old Slovak students in the international PISA 2025 testing in reading and scientific literacy are below the average for OECD countries, while in mathematical literacy they ranked among countries above the OECD average. The results are being presented on Tuesday in Bratislava. This is the first-ever regional presentation of PISA results for countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In scientific literacy, a statistically significant increase in the score of Slovak students was recorded compared to the last two PISA cycles (2022, 2018). However, it is still lower than in the PISA 2006 cycle, when scientific literacy was the main domain of measurement for the first time. The difference in performance compared to the PISA 2006 cycle is 14 points, according to the International Report of the PISA 2025 Study and the first results of the testing from the viewpoint of Slovakia, which were published by the National Institute of Education and Youth on its website. Despite the fact that the percentage of students in the at-risk group decreased in PISA testing 2025 compared to the previous cycle (scientific literacy), or remained unchanged (reading and mathematical literacy), a significant proportion of students in the at-risk group is still visible. The percentage of Slovak students who, based on their performance in PISA testing 2025, were ranked into the top-performing group increased significantly in mathematical literacy compared to PISA 2022. In the other two basic domains, it remained comparable to 2022. According to the results of PISA 2025, the share of Slovak students in the at-risk group in reading literacy is statistically significantly higher than the OECD average. In mathematical literacy, this share is significantly lower and in scientific literacy it is comparable to the OECD average. Meanwhile, the share of Slovak students who ranked in the top level in reading and scientific literacy is significantly lower than the OECD average. In mathematical literacy, this share is significantly higher. The influence of socio-economic background on the performance of Slovak students remains more pronounced than the OECD average. Slovakia first took part in the PISA study in 2003. In 2025, it completed its eighth cycle of the testing, which is conducted at three-year intervals. Last year, 300 schools and more than 6,000 15-year-old pupils in Slovakia took part. The main area tested was scientific literacy, while reading and mathematical literacy were also assessed. Slovak students also took part in a new testing area focusing on learning in the digital world. ko/mcs