Contexts 112. An important aspect of mathematical literacy is that mathematics is used to solve a problem
set in a context. The context is the aspect of an individual’s world in which the problems are
placed. The choice of appropriate mathematical strategies and representations is often dependent
on the context in which a problem arises, and by implication there is the need to utilise knowledge
of the real world context in developing the model. Being able to work within a context is widely
appreciated to place additional demands on the problem solver (see Watson and Callingham,
(2003
[29]
), for findings about statistics). For PISA, it is important that a wide variety of contexts are
used. This offers the possibility of connecting with the broadest possible range of individual
interests and with the range of situations in which individuals operate in the 21st century.
113. In light of the number of countries participating in PISA 2021 and with that an increasing
range of participants from low- and middle-income countries as well as the possibility of out-of-
school 15-year-olds, it is important that item developers take great care to ensure that the contexts
used for items are accessible to a very broad range of participants. In this regard it is also
important that the reading load of the items remains modest so that the items continue to assess
mathematical literacy.
114. For purposes of the PISA 2021 mathematics framework, the four context categories of the
PISA 2012 framework have been retained and are used to inform assessment item development. It
should be noted that while these contexts are intended to inform item development, there is no
expectation that there will be reporting against these contexts.
115.