The PISA exam is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about assessments in global education. But what is the PISA exam, and why does it matter so much for students, teachers, and policymakers in India and around the world? Why did India participate in PISA exam only once in 2009 and scored 72nd out of 73 countries? This blog breaks it down clearly and practically, especially as we head towards PISA 2025.
What is PISA Exam?
Let’s begin with the basics. The PISA exam full form is the Programme for International Student Assessment. It’s a global test conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The exam measures how well 15-year-old students apply their knowledge in reading, math, and science to solve real-world problems.
Unlike school exams, PISA exam questions are not about memorizing formulas or definitions. Instead, they test how students think, analyze, and reason. It’s all about practical application of knowledge in real-life situations.
Importance of PISA Exam 2025
PISA is not just another academic test, it’s a tool to evaluate the effectiveness of education systems across the world. More than 80 countries take part in each cycle. The results help governments understand:
- Are students ready for future challenges?
- Is the current education model working?
- How does one country’s education compare to others globally?
So when India participates in PISA 2025, the outcomes will provide deep insights into how our schools are performing in preparing students for life, not just for exams.
India will not be participating in PISA 2025 and the reasons are not clearly stated yet. While India performed poorly in 2009, some authorities stated that the exam lacks cultural connections. PISA is all about logical implementation of studies, understanding the concepts, and using those to solve real world problems.
What Makes PISA Exam Questions Unique?
The key difference between the PISA exam and CBSE board exams lies in their approach to assessing student learning. CBSE primarily focuses on curriculum-based knowledge, where students are tested on how well they remember and reproduce information from textbooks. The questions are usually direct, theory-driven, and framed within the academic context. In contrast, PISA evaluates how students apply their knowledge in real-world situations. The questions are framed as life-based scenarios that test reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities rather than rote learning. PISA does not follow any specific syllabus, which allows for broader skill evaluation.
Another major difference lies in question structure. CBSE exams often ask for fixed responses, definitions, calculations, or explanations based on a chapter. PISA, on the other hand, may present a situation and ask multiple questions based on it, encouraging interpretation and analysis. Students must justify their answers or make decisions using logic, not just memory. This format aligns closely with how skills are applied in everyday life and future workplaces.
CBSE-type:
- Define osmosis.
- Solve: x² – 4x + 4 = 0
- What are the functions of the root system in plants?
- Write a short note on the Non-Aligned Movement.
PISA-type:
- A newspaper article shows rising air pollution in your city. Suggest two actions you can take at a personal level and explain why they help.
- A graph shows the population of frogs in a pond over 5 years. Interpret the trend and predict the population in year 6 with reasoning.
- A recipe serves 4 people using 300g of rice. How much rice will you need for 7 people? Show your working.
- You are buying a phone plan. Plan A costs ₹299/month with 1.5GB/day, Plan B costs ₹349/month with 2GB/day. Which is better if you use only 1GB per day and why?
PISA exam questions are designed to reflect everyday challenges where knowledge of science, math, and reading is applied. For example:
- In reading: Interpreting an online review or email conversation
- In math: Figuring out the best mobile plan or calculating paint needed for a room
- In science: Analyzing data from a water purification system or understanding health reports
Each PISA exam question pushes students to think critically, process information, and make decisions, skills that matter in life and the workplace.
Subjects Covered in PISA Exam
The PISA exam focuses on three core areas:
- Reading Literacy – Understanding, using, and evaluating written content
- Mathematical Literacy – Applying math in daily scenarios
- Scientific Literacy – Interpreting scientific knowledge in real-life contexts
In every cycle, one subject is the primary focus. For PISA 2025, the main domain is Science. That means science questions will dominate, with math and reading still included but as minor areas.
Who Takes the PISA Exam?
The PISA exam targets 15-year-old students, typically in Grade 8 or 9, regardless of their curriculum. Public, private, rural, and urban schools are all eligible. In India, the Ministry of Education and NCERT work together to select schools for participation.
Participation is representative, ensuring that the selected students give a true picture of how the country’s education system performs overall.
How to Prepare for the PISA Exam?
Here’s the important part: you can’t “mug up” for PISA. There is no fixed syllabus. Preparation for PISA exam is more about:
- Improving comprehension skills in reading
- Applying math in real scenarios (not just solving sums)
- Building curiosity and observation in science
Teachers and students can refer to PISA exam questions from previous years (publicly available on OECD websites) to understand the type and structure.
Sample PISA Exam Questions – A Quick Glimpse
Let’s look at a few examples of PISA exam questions:
- A menu from a restaurant is shown. Students must calculate cost for a family meal and decide the best value option.
- A graph of temperature changes is given. Students must explain the trend and suggest clothing choices.
- A scientific claim is made in a news article. Students must evaluate if the claim is supported by evidence.
These examples show how the PISA exam makes students think, evaluate, and respond, just like they would in real life.
Benefits of PISA for Indian Students and Schools
Participating in PISA 2025 could have offered multiple advantages:
- Encourages skill-based learning in classrooms
- Promotes a shift from rote to reasoning
- Prepares students for higher education abroad
- Helps Indian schools compete at global standards
- Supports NEP 2020’s vision of competency-focused education
Atal Tinkering Lab and PISA Exam
Atal Tinkering Lab, an initiative by NITI Aayog and Atal Innovation Mission, is focusing on establishing application-based learning in India. The Atal Tinkering Lab cirriculum is smartly designed to help students understand the core of STEM and implement it to solve actual world challenges.
There are 10,000 ATL labs in India and lakhs of students have already started learning STEM. In budget 2025, our Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ma’am has declared that the government will establish 50,000 more ATL labs in the next 5 years. Each school will get a grant of ₹20 lakhs to setup and run the ATL labs. These smart initiatives will help our young talented students to prepare for PISA like international exams and score commendable this time. Let’s hope that India participates in PISA 2028 and takes our name to global corners.
Final Thoughts
The PISA exam is not just a test, it’s a mirror. It reflects the real capabilities of students, teachers, and the entire education system. It’s time for schools in India to adopt practices that align with global benchmarks.
Instead of focusing on rote learning, educators can introduce scenario-based learning, group discussions, open-ended assessments, and activity-based teaching that mirrors PISA exam questions.
ATALUP is an ATL Management System that is helping schools enroll for ATL labs and run activities regularly. If you wish to prepare your students for PISA 2028 and start application-based learning in your school, ATALUP can help.