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Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2026
What PIRLS is
The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) is an international reading assessment delivered in a digital, on screen format.
It is administered by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), a global cooperative of research institutions responsible for major large scale educational studies.
Conducted every five years, PIRLS provides an in depth understanding of how well 9-10 year old children read. PIRLS 2026 will involve:
- 62 participating education systems
- an estimated 400,000 pupils taking part worldwide
PIRLS in Scotland
PIRLS 2026 offers an important opportunity to understand how children’s reading development and learning experiences in Scotland compares with that of learners internationally. Scotland last took part in 2006.
Pearson UK has been appointed as the National Centre responsible for delivering PIRLS 2026 in Scotland. They will oversee the administration of the assessment in approximately 150 sampled primary schools during May and June.
About the assessment
The assessment involves Primary 5 pupils in a sample of Scottish primary schools. They will engage with a range of literary and information texts in an exclusively digital format. Learners read texts on screen and answer questions designed to reflect their real-world reading experiences. This digital approach also allows the IEA to:
- collect detailed process data on how learners navigate and respond to the texts
- gain deeper insights into reading behaviours
Alongside the assessment, children, parents/carers, teachers and school leaders complete a questionnaire designed to gather extensive contextual information about:
- home environments
- teaching practices
- school climate
- other factors that influence reading development
Together, these components provide a detailed picture of children’s reading achievement and the conditions that support it.
This PowerPoint class lesson introduces PIRLS to children in a clear, engaging and reassuring way.
Read the following tips to help you prepare for the day of the assessment.
Download tips for a smooth PIRLS day.
Support learner readiness
Use the specially created Education Scotland classroom resource as a short, teacher‑led activity in the run‑up, so learners feel familiar with what PIRLS involves and approach the day with calm confidence.
Reduce technology load
Many P5 learners are used to touchscreens, so laptops, trackpads, and mouse control can add extra cognitive load.
- Give learners practice using a laptop, mouse/trackpad, typing, and navigating the screen
- Make sure learners know what to do if something goes wrong (for example raise a hand, stay calm)
Create a calm, comfortable space
- Ensure there is enough room for laptops, movement, and a clear line of sight
- Arrange seating so pupils can work independently with a minimum of distractions
- Check lighting, temperature, and noise levels
Plan for early finishers
Quiet, purposeful options help maintain a calm atmosphere.
- Bring a book to read
- Provide a quiet drawing or puzzle option
- Agree expectations in advance so learners feel confident
Clarify adult roles
- Decide who will:
- welcome learners
- assign their seats
- check attendance, support technology
- monitor the room
- Ensure all staff know the timing, flow, and key messages
Sort the small logistics early
- Check device numbers, chargers, and logins ahead of time
- Arrange comfort and water breaks before starting
- Have a simple backup plan for device issues
- Confirm start and finish times with everyone involved
Share these tips with learners, parents and carers to prepare them for the PIRLS assessment.
Download the guide for learners. parents and carers leaflet
What is PIRLS all about?
PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study) is a big, international study that lots of countries take part in.
It assesses and compares how well children read and how they learn at around the age of 10 (Primary 5 in Scotland).
PIRLS takes place every five years and is run across more than 60 countries and education systems.
PIRLS 2026 is fully digital, which means it will be carried out on a computer.
What will happen on the day of PIRLS?
There will be two activities for you to complete:
- an on-screen reading activity. You will read stories and information texts, thenanswer some questions about them
- A questionnaire asking you about your experience of reading, school and learning
Quick tips for learners
- There’s no need to do any special preparation for PIRLS. Just be ready to try your best – that’s more than enough
- Take your time and read the texts and questions carefully
- If you’re not sure, have a go and choose the best answer you can
- Stay positive – you’re helping Scotland take part in an important international study
Why is PIRLS important?
Your answers to the questions in PIRLS will help give a clear picture of reading in Scotland. They will allow Scotland to compare how we are doing with other countries to help improve reading education in the future.
Why has our school been chosen?
Schools are chosen at random (like picking names from a hat). This helps make sure the results are fair.
When will PIRLS take place?
In Scotland, PIRLS will take place during May and June 2026. Your school will tell you the exact day and date.
Privacy – keeping information safe
Your answers are private. People will not see your results with your name on them
- Pupils and schools are not named in the results
- You won’t receive a score or mark. This is because PIRLS looks at Scotland’s results as a whole and not at individuals.
Thank you for supporting PIRLS 2026. We hope you have a really positive experience. Your participation will help improve reading education in Scotland
Watch video demonstrations of previous PIRLS reading passages and their associated questions. These videos give a clear picture of how the assessment looks in practice. They show both digital literary texts and online informational tasks.
In PIRLS 2026, questionnaires play a vital role in collecting contextual information to help understand reading in Scotland, the factors that influence it and how it could be improved.
By way of example, information on the questionnaires from PIRLS 2021 can be found at: Context Questionnaires – PIRLS 2021. These are the:
- Student Questionnaire - completed by all learners following the reading assessment. Collects information about school life, reading attitudes, home environment etc
- Home Questionnaire (Early Learning Survey) - completed by parents/carers. Collects information about a learner’s home background e.g. languages spoken in the home, parents’ reading activities, attitudes towards reading etc
- Teacher Questionnaire - completed by pupils’ reading teachers. Collects information about classroom factors related to reading and teacher characteristics
- School Questionnaire - completed by the headteacher. Collects information about school characteristics, including pupil demographics and the availability of resources
Additional support and information on PIRLS 2026 is available from the National Research Centre, Pearson UK. This includes:
- About PIRLS Scotland 2026 - explains what the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study is, who it is for and its purpose.
- For schools | PIRLS Scotland 2026 - guidance for selected schools on what participation involves and why taking part is important.
- For parents and carers | PIRLS Scotland 2026 – gives clear, accessible information for parents and carers of the learners involved in the study and what participation means for their child.
- Frequently Asked Questions | PIRLS Scotland 2026 | Pearson UK
A range of data analysing and evaluating previous PIRLS assessments can be found on the IEA website. This includes a data repository and national and international reports which can be found by selecting the ‘publications’ tab at the top of the page.
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