Failed PISA once already — what actually worked for your second attempt? — Forums

rachel_sOP

May 27, 2026

So I bombed my first PISA attempt about six weeks ago. Got a 61 and needed a 70 to pass. I'd been studying on and off for maybe three weeks, mostly just reading through the official handbook and doing a few random practice questions I found online. Clearly that wasn't enough.

I'm registered to retake it in eight weeks and I want to actually have a real plan this time. I've been looking at PISA practice test sets and a couple of different study guide options but there's so much out there and I honestly can't tell what's worth the money. The quantitative reasoning section is where I fell apart — I run out of time every single time I do a timed set.

Anyone who's passed on a second try, what actually moved the needle for you? Did you use a structured study guide, or was it more about drilling practice questions? How many hours per week were you putting in? Any exam tips for the time management piece specifically would be huge right now.

Daniel M.

May 28, 2026

Second attempt here, passed with a 74. Honestly the biggest thing was timing drills — I set a hard 90-second limit per question and just kept going even if I wasn't done. It felt brutal at first but after two weeks of that I stopped running out of time entirely. Also blocked off two hours every single weekday morning, no exceptions. Consistency beat cramming by a mile for me.

Sarah M.

May 28, 2026

I used a paid study guide and thought it was okay but the practice tests that came with it were way harder than the real thing, which actually helped. Don't skip the written response sections even if they feel less important — I underestimated them first time around and they cost me. Also worth reviewing the scoring rubrics so you know exactly what they're looking for rather than just guessing.

Chloe W.

May 28, 2026

The quantitative section trips up almost everyone on the first go. Try working backwards from the answer choices on the harder problems — saves time when the math gets messy. You've got eight weeks which is plenty if you stay consistent. You've got this.

Failed PISA once already — what actually worked for your second attempt?

Join the Discussion

Related Discussions