Prisma Sains: Jurnal Pengkajian Ilmu dan Pembelajaran Matematika dan IPA IKIP Mataram
Vol. 14 No. 3: July 2026

Analysis of Elementary School Teachers' Ability in Compiling HOTS Questions in Mathematics Subjects

Rohmah Indahwati (Madura University)
Wildona Zumam (Madura University)
Sri Harini (Madura University)
Sri Indriati Hasanah (Madura University)
Nur Fauziyah (Muhammadiyah Gresik University)
Hasan Basri (Universitas Madura)
Syamsiyatul Magfiroh (Madura University)
Asifaul Ulum (Madura University)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Jun 2026

Abstract

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) is one of the essential competencies that must be developed from an early age because it plays an important role in forming students’ critical and logical thinking skills. However, students’ abilities in this aspect are still low, one of the influencing factors being the limited facilitation of HOTS questions provided by teachers. This study aims to determine: (1) the comparison of HOTS and LOTS questions made by teachers; (2) teachers’ understanding of HOTS questions; and (3) teachers’ difficulties in compiling HOTS questions. This study employed a qualitative research approach with a qualitative case study. The respondents consisted of 6 teachers selected based on certain criteria. Data were obtained through interviews and reviews of daily test documents, with a total of  51 questions analyzed using the revised Bloom’s taxonomy framework. Data analysis referred to Miles and Huberman’s stages, namely data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results showed that the percentage of HOTS questions appearing in teachers’ daily test items was still low. Only 4 out of the 51 analyzed questions (8%) were classified as HOTS questions, while the remaining items were categorized as lower-order thinking skills (LOTS) questions. In addition, only 1 teacher (17%) correctly understood the definition of HOTS questions, while 5 teachers (83%) did not. Teachers also experienced difficulties in developing stimuli and finding references related to HOTS questions. These findings indicate that teachers require structured training in distinguishing procedural application questions (C3) from authentic HOTS tasks at the C4–C6 levels.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

prismasains

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Earth & Planetary Sciences Education Electrical & Electronics Engineering Energy Engineering Environmental Science Mathematics Physics Other

Description

J-PS (Prisma Sains: Jurnal Pengkajian Ilmu dan Pembelajaran Matematika dan IPA IKIP Mataram) was published by the Faculty of Science, Engineering, and Applied Science Universitas Pendidikan Mandalika. J-PS containing scientific articles in the form of research and ...