TAIPEI, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Students from Taiwan achieved fifth place in mathematics and tenth in science in the latest PISA global education test, both down from the previous test in 2015, local media reported Wednesday.
However, their scores in reading rose to 17th, up from 23rd in the 2015 test, Wednesday's United Daily reported, quoting a press release from the island's education authority.
Taiwan achieved fourth place in both mathematics and science in the 2015 test.
The PISA test was hosted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The 2018 exam tested around 600,000 15-year-old students in 79 countries and regions on reading, science, and mathematics. The main focus was on reading, with most students doing the test on computers.
Students from the Chinese mainland scored the highest level in reading, science, and mathematics in the 2018 test.
The island's education authority said it will hire more teachers to improve the reading ability of students in primary and junior middle schools and provide customized coaching while allocating a higher budget for high schools to assist students with poor reading ability.
