Performance tests in the PISA study follow the concept of literacy, which refers to functional basic education. In the context of PISA, the term ‘functional’ comprises two aspects: On the one hand, functional basic literacy enables students to apply knowledge and skills which they have acquired to their current situation in life. On the other hand, it ensures social and cultural participation in their post-school life and forms the basis for lifelong learning.
Both aspects are particularly important when measuring educational outcomes towards the end of mandatory schooling. In the domains examined, PISA assesses the knowledge and skills which form prerequisites for continued learning in the respective area. It also examines the extent to which, at the time of testing, young people had acquired skills both in and outside of school in order to become literate in the areas examined.