Comparing adult mathematical literacy with PISA students: results of a pilot study

In Germany, very little empirical data about the mathematical competence of adults is available. The aim of this study is to test the level of mathematical competence in an adult sample. For this purpose, a mathematics test was constructed using the PISA mathematics framework as a guideline. The test consisted of fourteen public items from the mathematics test in PISA 2000. The study was implemented by carrying out house visits (Germany). The sample was comprised of 64 adults (90 % women, age: 41 years). The test results were scaled in the metric of PISA 2000. Compared with the average German student competencies in PISA 2000, the average competency in the adult sample was on the same level as the fifteen-year-old comprehensive secondary school student (at a German Gymnasium). Further analysis shows that the mathematics competency level in the adult sample is positively connected to the individual vocational education degree.