Table CNT7.1 shows the Marshall Islands’ distribution of grade seven overall numeracy scores against the PILNA numeracy proficiency scale. This scale converts a student’s overall numeracy score into a level ranking from zero to eight. The expected minimum overall numeracy performance for grade seven students is proficiency level five. Pacific stakeholders expect these students to reach or exceed this proficiency level.

The average overall numeracy score for grade seven students in Marshall Islands in 2021 was 505.47 (SD = 63.79). This corresponds to proficiency level five in the PILNA numeracy proficiency scale (level five is assigned to scores 500–525). On average, grade seven students in Marshall Islands are achieving the minimum expected standard in numeracy, Figure CNF5.7.

The average numeracy score does not tell us the whole story. The proportion of students who are meeting the minimum expected standard is also important. Approximately 57% of students performed at or above this expected level (levels 5–8). Conversely, approximately 43% of students performed below the expected proficiency level (levels 0–4). In other words, most grade seven students are meeting the minimum expected level for numeracy (57%), but there is a significant proportion (43%) who are yet to meet it.

Table CNT7.2 compares the numeracy performance of grade seven students in Marshall Islands with that of the region. While 57% of grade seven students performed at or above the expected level (levels 5–8) for numeracy in Marshall Islands, this figure was higher, at 72%, for the region.

When looking at Marshall Islands’ distribution of grade seven numeracy proficiency scores in 2021 by gender (Table CNT7.3), differences can be seen. Approximately 62% of girls performed at or above the expected proficiency level (levels 5–8) compared to approximately 53% of boys.

Table CNT7.4 shows grade seven scores for Marshall Island students on the PILNA numeracy proficiency scale over time. Accompanying this is Figure CNF7.7, showing the proportion of grade seven students in Marshall Islands meeting the minimum overall numeracy standard over time. A lower proportion of grade seven students met the minimum expected level in 2021 than in previous PILNA cycles (2012 = 64%, 2015 = 61%, 2018 = 76%, 2021 = 57%). Regional results also saw lower performance in 2021 than in 2018, but maintained a higher performance on average than the 2012 and 2015 PILNA cycles. This indicates that Marshall Islands had a larger drop in students achieving proficiency in grade seven numeracy than was observed on a regional level.