Students' mathematics problem-solving skills in PISA problems

Abstract

Students' problem-solving skill is a process that involves thought, action, and participation in a problem. This study aimed to describe Students' mathematical problem-solving skills in PISA problems based on Newman's problem-solving steps. This study employed a qualitative descriptive approach, and the subjects were six Junior High School students aged less than 15 years selected by purposive sampling. Data collection was conducted by administering PISA problem tests and interview through G-meet. The interview data were analyzed descriptively, while the data of the test results were analyzed based on the assessment guideline of students' problem-solving skills. The results revealed that S1 solved the problems by reading, comprehension, transformation, processing skill and encoding; S2 and S3 solved the problems by reading the problems, comprehension, and transformation problems; S4 and S5 solved the problems by reading and comprehension; and S6 solved the problems just by reading problems without understanding the problems. Thus, students' problem-solving skills still unsatisfied. Based on the findings, further research investigating the factors affecting student achievement in PISA is necessary.