42. The PISA mathematics framework defines the domain of mathematics for the PISA survey and
describes an approach to the assessment of the mathematical literacy of 15-year-olds. That is,
PISA assesses the extent to which 15-year-old students can reason mathematically and handle
mathematics adeptly when confronted with situations and problems
– the majority of which are
presented in real-world contexts.
43. For purposes of the assessment, the PISA 2021 definition of mathematical literacy can be
analysed in terms of three interrelated aspects (see Figure 2):
Mathematical reasoning (both deductive and inductive) and problem solving (which
includes the mathematical processes that describe what individuals do to connect the
context of the problem with mathematics and thus solve the problem);
The mathematical content that is targeted for use in the assessment items; and
The contexts in which the assessment items are located coupled with selected
5
21st
century skills that support and are developed by mathematical literacy.
44. The following sections elaborate these aspects to support understanding and to provide
guidance to the test developers. In highlighting these aspects of the domain, the PISA 2021
mathematics framework helps to ensure that assessment items developed for the survey reflect a
range of mathematical reasoning and problem solving, content, and contexts and 21st century
skills, so that, considered as a whole, the set of assessment items effectively operationalises what
this framework defines as mathematical literacy. Several questions, based on the PISA 2021
definition of mathematical literacy lie behind the organisation of this section of the framework. They
are:
What do individuals engage in when reasoning mathematically and solving contextual
mathematical problems?
What mathematical content knowledge can we expect of individuals
– and of 15-year-old
students in particular?
In what context is mathematical literacy able to be both observed and assessed and how
do these interact with the identified 21st century skills?