A Systematic Review on Instruments to Assess Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving Skills

Abstract

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving (CTPS) are soft skills essential to be equipped among students according to 21st-century learning. Several instruments have been developed to measure CTPS skills among students in various subjects. This review aimed to identify the type of instrument and the context they are used. The research methodology was based on the systematic literature search in online databases, mainly in Scopus and ERIC, complemented by Google Scholar and MyCite. The keywords used during the searching process included “instrument”, “test”, “assessment”, “critical thinking”, and “problem-solving”. The screening process took into consideration the type of publication in which only the articles written in Malay or English language within the year 2017 to 2021 were considered. The result of this review revealed that the test, rubric, observation sheet, and questionnaire were the most used types of instruments. Meanwhile, the contexts of measurement were by group discussion, experimental report, quiz, and answer sheet. This review can help educators and researchers make informed decisions about choosing the appropriate CTPS instrument and context for their assessments.