Classification of the high school central exam math questions according to the PISA mathematical literacy levels

The educational system aims to raise citizens who have the required and challenging abilities and qualities of the age. The knowledge, ability and manners that the individuals are supposed to acquire are being conveyed through educational programs and therefor those programs are constantly being updated according to the developments. As it is seen that the levels in PISA mathematics literacy proficiency scale overlap with the skills aimed to be acquired by students in the mathematics curriculum updated in 2018, it is aimed in this study to categorize the central exam math questions of LGS conducted in 2018 and 2019 as regards to PISA mathematics literacy proficiency scale. Since the study is designed within the qualitative approach, one of its techniques, document analysis was employed to assess the questions. There were 40 math questions that were asked in the central exams and they were analysed by the researcher and a field specialist to determine the levels of the questions. When the findings of the analysis were observed it was seen that the questions did not include the whole levels in the PISA mathematics literacy proficiency scale, and that they were concentrated around the 2nd level. In the central exam conducted in 2018, 20% of the questions (4 questions) were in level 1 while 45% (9 questions) in level 2, 20% (4 questions) in level 3 and 15% (3 questions) in level 4. In 2019, however, it was found that there were 11 (55%) questions at the level 2, 7 (35%) questions at level 3, and solely one question each in level 4 and 5. In this context, in order to accomplish the aims stated in the mathematics curriculum and to adequately reflect the concept of mathematics literacy to teaching, it is recommended to increase the number of the questions that needs higher level of mathematical literacy skills in accordance with the targets set for in the educational program. Including higher level questions in exam questions is also important in terms of identifying students with high level knowledge and skills.