<![CDATA[Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) is a crucial aspect of the learning process because they enhance students’ ability to analyze, evaluate, and generate new ideas. Therefore, HOTS has significant potential as a strategic approach for implementing social science and science learning (IPAS) learning to think critically, solve complex problems, and develop innovative solutions. This study aims to identify the development and trends in the application of HOTS in the social science and science learning in elementary schools. The method used was a bibliometric study analyzing 1,007 articles sourced from the Scopus and Google Scholar databases during the 2021–2026 period. The results of the study indicate that the application of HOTS in IPAS learning has a positive impact on improving students’ critical thinking abilities, creativity, and problem-solving skills. However, the implementation of HOTS still largely focuses on cognitive assessment and the development of instructional materials. These findings indicate the need for further research that examines HOTS more comprehensively, including affective and metacognitive aspects, as well as the reinforcement of 21st-century skills in contextual and sustainable learning. Thus, HOTS not only contributes to improving students’ thinking abilities but also helps teachers build a deeper conceptual understanding. Therefore, HOTS has great potential as a strategic approach to implementing IPAS learning that aligns with the educational needs of the 21st-century in elementary schools.]]>
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