An Analysis of Mathematical Problem Solving Ability of High Capability Students of the Islamic Elementary Schools at Sumedang

Abstract

We often face problems, such as: tasks, questions, or obstacles which cannot be known how to solve soon; it is difficult to avoid by human being. Mathematical problem solving is an exercise for students to face non routine things and how to try to solve them. One of the programs which was held by the Religion Ministry that has a goal to produce human resources who are capable of solving daily life problems is Kompetisi Sains Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (Islamic Elementary School Science Competition) in level sub district, regency, province, and nation. The skills which were competed in this program were Mathematics and Science. This research aimed to study the students’ skills of KSMI 2014 at Sumedang in answering question items of problem solving. The subject of this research was 57 students of 57 Islamic Elementary Schools who were selected by each school and considered having high mathematical problem solving skills. This competition was held in April 2014. The examined contents were Arithmatics, Geometry, and Data and
Measurement. The result of this analysis of the students’ answers informed that generally the students still felt difficult to solve the problems, especially in Geometry.