Mathematical literacy and self-efficacy of first year third level students

A PISA style test was administered to first year students in three institutions across the third-level sector in Ireland. Immediately following this test a questionnaire was completed seeking to identify factors such as confidence, perseverance and goal-orientation that may influence a student’s mathematical achievement. In this paper we will discuss some of the results from the test and a section of the questionnaire that referred to the students’ confidence in performing those types of mathematical tasks.