Table CNT7.1 shows the Palau distribution of grade seven overall numeracy scores against the PILNA numeracy proficiency scale Figure CNF7.7. 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 Palau in 2021 was 596.70 (SD = 51.74). This corresponds to proficiency level eight in the PILNA numeracy proficiency scale (level eight is assigned to scores above 575). On average, grade seven students in Palau are achieving above the minimum expected standard in numeracy.

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 96% of students performed at or above this expected level (levels 5–8). Conversely, approximately 4% 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 (96%), only a very small number are not.

On average, grade seven students in Palau (597) are scoring higher than similar students in the region – year six students (531). Further, a higher proportion of grade seven students (96%) met or exceeded the expected minimum numeracy proficiency level compared to similar students across the region (72%) and in Small Island States (73%).

When looking at the Palau distribution of grade seven numeracy proficiency scores in 2021 by gender (Table CNT7.3), a similar proportion of girls and boys are meeting the minimum expected proficiency level; approximately 98% of girls and approximately 94% of boys performed at or above the expected proficiency level (levels 5–8).  Higher proportions of girls, however, scored in levels 8a (girls, 44%; boys, 34%) and 8b (girls, 30%; boys, 25%) compared to boys. These are the two highest levels of the PILNA numeracy proficiency scale; 8b is the highest.