This report is part of a wide-ranging program of quantitative and qualitative analysis, entitled 'The learning curve'. It seeks to further understanding of what leads to successful educational outcomes, both economic and social. The report outlines the main findings from the analysis of a large body of internationally comparable education data, the Learning Curve Data Bank (LCDB). First compiled in 2012, the LCDB has been updated in early 2014 to include, among other indicators, the latest test results from: the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS); the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS); the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA); and the initial output from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), which looks at cognitive skill levels across the population. The report also draws on desk research, as well as interviews conducted with experts in education.