ANALYSIS OF CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS OF GRADE VIII STUDENTS IN SCIENCE LEARNING AT MTS IN SOMBA OPU DISTRICT

This study is a survey research that aims to determine students’ critical thinking skills in science learning at Madrasah Tsanawiyah (MTs) in Somba Opu District during the 2024/2025 academic year. The population of this study consisted of eighth-grade students totaling 229 students. The sample included 146 students from three schools: MTs Aisyiyah Sungguminasa 47 students, MTs Madani Pao-pao 87 students, and MTs Guppi Samata with 12 students. The indicators of critical thinking skills analyzed consisted of five aspects: providing simple explanations, building basic skills, drawing conclusions, providing further explanations, and organizing strategies and tactics. The data collection technique used was a critical thinking ability test in the form of multiple-choice questions, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis. The results show that students’ critical thinking skills in science learning at MTs in Somba Opu District are categorized as low, with an average score of 7.40. The percentage of achievement shows that providing simple explanations reached 42.61% (fair), building basic skills reached 39.72% (low), drawing conclusions reached 31.41% (low), providing further explanations reached 41.93% (fair), and organizing strategies and tactics reached 27.33% (low). These results indicate that students’ critical thinking skills need improvement.