Abstract
This study investigated the thinking skills represented on the test items English questions of the Jordanian Secondary Certificate Examinations. The study was conducted by analyzing 260 reading questions of the Jordanian GSCE examinations. The questions were analyzed using the cognitive level of Bloom’s Taxonomy. It was found that most question items were dominated by lower-level thinking skills, mainly knowledge and comprehension. It was also found that two higher-order levels were not represented at in the reading section of the examinations. As a result, the study recommended that the thinking levels should be taken into consideration when exams are written. It is also suggest that exam writers be trained on the thinking skills exam questions represent.
Highlights
Education should enable young generations to meet their roles by providing them with knowledge and skills
Concerning the thinking skills represented on the reading comprehension section of the Jordanian IGSCE test items, it is shown that lower-order thinking skills are dominant compared to the higher-order thinking skills
In the higher-order thinking skills, there is only the skill of evaluation represented on the test items while the skills of analysis and synthesis are not found
Summary
Education should enable young generations to meet their roles by providing them with knowledge and skills. These knowledge and skills are not confined to mastering subject areas and their application, but they rather should involve higher-order thinking skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and self-management (Council, 2013). The current trend in education emphasizes the implementation of Higher-Order Thinking skills (HOTS) to enhance learners’ creative and critical thinking. Anderson and Krathwohl (2001) stated that HOTS are the skills involving the process of analyzing, evaluating, and creating. HOTS critical and creative thinking skills can be defined as skills that involve the processes of analysis, evaluation, and creation. The application of higher-order thinking skills is geared by bloom’s taxonomy
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