Seoul – South Korean 15-year-olds have ranked among the top performers in mathematics, reading, and science compared to their counterparts from member nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), according to a recent report. The findings come from the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) report, operated by the OECD.
According to Yonhap News Agency, The 2022 PISA report assessed the abilities of 15-year-olds from 81 countries, including 37 OECD member nations, in applying their knowledge and skills in reading, mathematics, and science to real-life challenges. In South Korea, 6,931 students from 186 schools participated in the survey.
Korean students achieved scores of 527 in mathematics, 515 in reading, and 528 in science. These scores are significantly higher than the OECD averages of 472 in mathematics, 476 in reading, and 485 in science. In the global ranking, Korean students placed between third and seventh in mathematics, second and 12th in reading, and second and ninth in science, with these ranges considering sampling errors.
When compared exclusively to peers from OECD member countries, Korean students ranked between first and second in mathematics, first and seventh in reading, and second and fifth in science. The OECD noted that amid years of disruption, countries like Japan, Korea, Lithuania, and Chinese Taipei managed to maintain or improve learning outcomes, fairness in learning opportunities, and student well-being.
The 2022 scores for Korean students showed an improvement from the 2018 PISA report, increasing by one point in both mathematics and reading and nine points in science. Meanwhile, the OECD averages dropped in all three categories during this period.
Singapore topped the list in all three categories among all surveyed countries, scoring 575 in mathematics, 543 in reading, and 561 in science, according to the report.