RESULTS of the 2019 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) show a slight decline in the ability of candidates to apply the components in Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) in answering examination questions.
This year, the Education Ministry’s analysis includes the ability of SPM 2019 candidates to master HOTS questions drawn from a sample of 278,904 candidates.
Education director-general Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim said: “Based on the quality of answers given by candidates (in 2019), 56 per cent are able to master HOTS as compared to 61.01 per cent (in 2018).
The elements are divided into four skill categories – application, analysis, assessing and creation. This year’s performance stood at; application (53.33 per cent), analysis (62.64 per cent), assessing (47.51 per cent) and creation (60.52 per cent).
“Since 2014, HOTS questions are tested in the national-level examinations and have gradually been increased. In 2018, 30 per cent of the items were tested, but 2019 saw 35 per cent of HOTS items in the examination.
“The examination board will look into the decline in certain components of HOTS,” said Habibah.
She added that HOTS is an important element that should be emphasised as outlined in the 2013-2025 Malaysian Education Blueprint (PPPM).
“Teachers should develop students' thinking skills through active involvement in various classroom activities focusing on inquiry, projects, problem solving, decision making, discussion, and debate, among others.
“On top of that, the role of parents and the community are imperative in providing the space and opportunity for students to develop their thinking skills.
“The ability to master HOTS is essential for students to face life challenges and become globally competitive in line with 21st century educational developments,” she said when announcing the 2019 SPM result analysis at the Education Ministry here, today.
