To see countries that finished ahead of us, select a link below.

These ratings are based on the PISA 2003 study.
Read the 44-page Executive Summary here.

What is PISA?

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a three-yearly survey of the knowledge and skills of 15-year-olds in the principal industrialized countries. The product of a collaboration between participating governments through the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD), it draws on leading international expertise to develop valid comparisons across countries and cultures.

Well over a quarter of a million students in 41 countries took part in a two-hour test in their schools, assessing their skills in mathematics, reading, science and problem solving. All 30 OECD member countries participated, as well as 11 partner countries.