PISA produces information about education, learning outcomes and informal learning

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an internationally standardised assessment which produces information within an international frame of reference about education, learning outcomes and informal learning.

The most recent results of the assessment will be released on December 2023 (PISA 2022).

PISA assesses the learning outcome of students aged 15 in mathematics, science and reading literacy. PISA assesses to what extent students have acquired knowledge and skills that are essential for full participation in society and the variation in these skills over time. The students participating in the assessment are chosen by random sampling.

PISA also gauges attitudes to learning and learning skills. Questionnaires to students and schools gauge learning environments at home and at school, the students' social background and the support they receive in learning, and students' attitudes to school and learning.

The subjects in the assessment vary. The earlier assessments focused on the following subjects:

PISA 2022: mathematics
PISA 2018: reading
PISA 2015: science
PISA 2012: mathematics
PISA 2009: reading
PISA 2006: science
PISA 2003: mathematics
PISA 2000: reading

Finland's participation is financed by the Ministry of Education and Culture, which also nominates Finland's representative on the PISA Governing Board.

Contact information

Tommi Karjalainen, opetusneuvos 
Ministry of Education and Culture, Varhaiskasvatuksen, perusopetuksen ja vapaan sivistystyön osasto ( VAPOS ), Strategiaryhmä Telephone:0295330140   Email Address:


Eeva-Riitta Pirhonen, Director General 
Ministry of Education and Culture, Varhaiskasvatuksen, perusopetuksen ja vapaan sivistystyön osasto ( VAPOS ) Telephone:0295330258   Email Address:

Arto Ahonen PISA National Project Manager (Finnish Institute for Educational Research / University of Jyväskylä), +358 40 839 4209, [email protected]

Jenna Hiltunen, Project Researcher (University of Jyväskylä), +358 40 805 4273

Mari-Pauliina Vainikainen, Research Coordinator (Centre for Educational Assessment / University of Helsinki), +358 50 318 2188