The OECD PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) investigates whether students have acquired the applicable knowledge essential for full participation in a modern society (they measure how students can apply their knowledge to novel situations). Meaningful learning and understanding are basic aspects of all kinds of learning and they are even more important in the case of learning mathematics. The aim of this research was to measure students' independent thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as to investigate the way they can actively apply their knowledge when solving problems directly and not directly connected to the curriculum. We have investigated the relationship between different knowledge areas and levels in the case of Primary School and Kindergarten Teacher Training College's students at Partium Christian University Oradea.