The Analysis of the Primary School Mathematics Exam Questions According to the MATH Taxonomy

Abstract

In this study, the contents and types of elementary 6th, 7th, 8th grades’ mathematics exam questions are analyzed according to groups and categories of the MATH taxonomy. In order to achieve this aim documentary analysis research and Chi-square test are used and the analyses of questions are based on the definitions of groups and categories of the MATH taxonomy. Analyzed questions consist of 939 questions which are collected from mathematics classes of different schools at East Blacksea regions. In all of the questions, 260 are at 6th grade (27.7%), 327 are at 7th grade (34.8%), and 352 are at 8th grade (37.5%) mathematics written exam questions. According to the results, two in every three questions used by instructors in math exams are at A3 "Routine use of Procedures" level in which the use of the procedure or algorithm is required to use properly. Most of the questions are from category A which contains routine procedures and basic abilities.  in addition to this, there are fewer questions at category B which is required the higher order thinking skill, and scarcely any questions at higher-up thinking level, category C.