The findings from national and international assessments and studies supplement and help establish a context for board and provincial assessment data. This information assists in setting educational priorities and is valuable for improvement planning. It also serves to measure Ontario students’ achievement against national and international benchmarks.
In addition to the provincial assessments, EQAO is responsible for coordinating Ontario’s participation in the following national and international assessments:
On this page
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)
Ontario has participated in the study since its inception. Previous administrations were conducted in 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2019.
Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS)
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)
PISA stands for Programme for International Student Assessment. It is an international study that measures the abilities of 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics and science. In Canada, PISA is coordinated by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC).
For more information about the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the results of PISA 2018, visit the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) Web site.
Pan Canadian Assessment Program (PCAP)
- In 2023, science will be the major domain.
- In 2019, math was the major domain.
- In 2016, reading was the major domain.
- In 2013, science was the major domain.
- In 2010, math was the major domain.
- In 2007, the first administration of PCAP, reading was the major domain.
For more information about the Pan Canadian Assessment Program (PCAP) and the full report on the 2019 administration, visit the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) Web site.
The International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS)
Twenty countries participated in ICILS 2013, including Canada. The Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) coordinated Canada’s participation. In Canada, only two provinces participated—Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador. Since a representative sample of Ontario students (English and French) participated in ICILS 2013, valid and reliable comparisons between Ontario and the other participating jurisdictions are possible. Ontario’s participation was coordinated by EQAO on behalf of the provincial government.