<![CDATA[This study was conducted in response to teachers’ difficulties in identifying student talents objectively at SMP Negeri 3 Bukittinggi, where the process previously relied on classroom observation and questionnaires that were not systematically processed. The study aimed to develop and evaluate an expert system based on the Certainty Factor (CF) method for student talent identification. A Research and Development (R&D) approach was applied using the Waterfall System Development Life Cycle (SDLC), consisting of communication, planning, modeling, construction, and deployment. Expert knowledge was obtained through observation, literature study, and interviews with Guidance and Counseling teachers. The system applies Certainty Factor calculations to eight talent categories using 48 predefined indicators and was implemented with PHP, CodeIgniter 4, and an SQLite database. Product evaluation produced an Aiken’s V validity score of 0.98, a practicality score of 0.95, and an N-Gain effectiveness score of 0.78. The resulting system presents students’ dominant talents together with their confidence levels and can assist teachers in providing more focused guidance. The findings indicate that a Certainty Factor-based expert system can serve as a practical decision-support instrument for guidance and counseling services at the junior secondary level by reducing dependence on subjective observation and supporting earlier, more consistent talent development.]]>
