Key insights from PISA 2025 for Scotland
10 September 2026
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a worldwide research project involving schools and students in over 80 countries. It is run by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), takes place every three years, and is designed to examine how 15-year-olds can apply what they have learned in school to real-life situations.
PISA 2025 provides an internationally comparable perspective on the knowledge, skills and experiences of Scotland’s 15-year-olds.
Scotland has participated in every cycle of PISA since the study began in 2000.
NFER delivered the study on behalf of the Scottish Government, with the online assessments carried out in schools and colleges in September and October 2025.
A summary of Scotland’s results can be accessed here:
Key Findings
- In science, mathematics and reading, Scotland’s mean performance did not change significantly between 2022 and 2025.
- Results in science and reading remain significantly above the OECD average. However, results remain below the levels achieved in some earlier cycles
- Performance was particularly strong in computational problem solving, a new area introduced for the 2025 cycle
- Socio-economic background remains associated with performance, with pupils from more advantaged backgrounds generally achieving higher PISA scores. However, this relationship was weaker in 2025 than in several previous cycles, with a particularly marked change in reading.
- Girls outperformed boys in reading, boys outperformed girls in mathematics, and there was no significant difference in science.