One of the 21st century skills is the mathematical literacy ability. The aim of this research was to describe the mathematical literacy ability student based on mathematical ability. This was qualitative descriptive research. The subjects of this research were three 8th grade students MTs Muallimaat Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta. The data collection was by test and interview methods. The research instruments was mathematical literacy test used 4 PISA questions and semi-structured interview guidlines. The data were analyzed using a Miles and Hubermans concept, that was data reduction, presentation, and conclusion. To determine students mathematical literacy based on students mathematical ability, first step is grouping the students mathematical ability. There are 3 type of mathematical ability, high, average, and low mathematical ability. One person its was chosen of every group to be research subject, namely S1 (students with high mathematical ability), S2 (students with average mathematical ability), and S3 (students with low mathematical ability). Then was given a test mathematical literacy and interview. The analysis result showed that students can only answer of 2 question with level 2 and 4 mathematical literacy, whereas in question number 3 and 4 with level 3 mathematical literacy, student cant resolving.