The evaluation of PISA 2012 mathematics questions

PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) is one of the world's largest educational research organized by the OECD. Since 2000, through this research carried out every three years, it is evaluated to what degree students in the age group of 15own necessary basic knowledge and skills in order to take their place in modern societies in the OECD member states and other participating countries. This study aims to evaluate the PISA 2012 mathematics questions. For this purpose, "To what extent do the mathematics questions overlap with the secondary school 5th-8th grade mathematics curriculum outcomes? " and "How are the opinions of the secondary mathematics teachers for the math questions?" are the questions of concern. Descriptive survey model was employed in the present study. For the first problem, the PISA 2012 mathematics questions, secondary school mathematics curriculum were analyzed through document analysis and the gains were matched with questions. In the second phase of the research, interview form was formed for teachers to get feedback on those questions. There are four questions in the form of interview. The interview form attached with the 2012 PISA mathematics questions were sent via e-mail to the 100 secondary school mathematics teachers who work for Ministry of Education. The obtained data were analyzed with descriptive analysis and content analysis techniques. When the PISA 2012 mathematics questions were analyzed, the questions seem to comply with the curriculum. However, when considered the views of teachers, they indicated that learners were accustomed to questions which are based on memorization and which do not require further comments and learners were reluctant to read the questions when they are long ones. The results suggest that learners need arithmetic calculations and multi-step word problems along with more application and practice. Keywords: PISA 2012 Mathematics Questions, Gains of Teaching Programmes