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20 Math Critical Thinking Questions to Ask in Class Tomorrow

• November 20, 2023

The level of apathy towards math is only increasing as each year passes and it’s up to us as teachers to make math class more meaningful . This list of math critical thinking questions will give you a quick starting point for getting your students to think deeper about any concept or problem. 

Since artificial intelligence has basically changed schooling as we once knew it, I’ve seen a lot of districts and teachers looking for ways to lean into AI rather than run from it.

The idea of memorizing formulas and regurgitating information for a test is becoming more obsolete. We can now teach our students how to use their resources to make educated decisions and solve more complex problems.

With that in mind, teachers have more opportunities to get their students thinking about the why rather than the how.

Table of Contents

Looking for more about critical thinking skills? Check out these blog posts:

• Why You Need to Be Teaching Writing in Math Class Today
• How to Teach Problem Solving for Mathematics
• Turn the Bloom’s Taxonomy Verbs into Engaging Math Activities

What skills do we actually want to teach our students?

As professionals, we talk a lot about transferable skills that can be valuable in multiple jobs, such as leadership, event planning, or effective communication. The same can be said for high school students. 

It’s important to think about the skills that we want them to have before they are catapulted into the adult world. 

Do you want them to be able to collaborate and communicate effectively with their peers? Maybe you would prefer that they can articulate their thoughts in a way that makes sense to someone who knows nothing about the topic.

Whatever you decide are the most essential skills your students should learn, make sure to add them into your lesson objectives.

When should I ask these math critical thinking questions?

Critical thinking doesn’t have to be complex or fill an entire lesson. There are simple ways that you can start adding these types of questions into your lessons daily!

Start small

Add specific math critical thinking questions to your warm up or exit ticket routine. This is a great way to start or end your class because your students will be able to quickly show you what they understand. 

Asking deeper questions at the beginning of your class can end up leading to really great discussions and get your students talking about math.

Add critical thinking questions to word problems

Word problems and real-life applications are the perfect place to add in critical thinking questions. Real-world applications offer a more choose-your-own-adventure style assignment where your students can expand on their thought processes. 

They also allow your students to get creative and think outside of the box. These problem-solving skills play a critical role in helping your students develop critical thinking abilities.

Keep reading for math critical thinking questions that can be applied to any subject or topic!

When you want your students to defend their answers.

• Explain the steps you took to solve this problem
• How do you know that your answer is correct?
• Draw a diagram to prove your solution.
• Is there a different way to solve this problem besides the one you used?
• How would you explain _______________ to a student in the grade below you?
• Why does this strategy work?
• Use evidence from the problem/data to defend your answer in complete sentences.

When you want your students to justify their opinions

• What do you think will happen when ______?
• Do you agree/disagree with _______?
• What are the similarities and differences between ________ and __________?
• What suggestions would you give to this student?
• What is the most efficient way to solve this problem?
• How did you decide on your first step for solving this problem?

When you want your students to think outside of the box

• How can ______________ be used in the real world?
• What might be a common error that a student could make when solving this problem?
• How is _____________ topic similar to _______________ (previous topic)?
• What examples can you think of that would not work with this problem solving method?
• What would happen if __________ changed?
• Create your own problem that would give a solution of ______________.
• What other math skills did you need to use to solve this problem?

Let’s Recap:

• Rather than running from AI, help your students use it as a tool to expand their thinking.
• Identify a few transferable skills that you want your students to learn and make a goal for how you can help them develop these skills.
• Add critical thinking questions to your daily warm ups or exit tickets.
• Ask your students to explain their thinking when solving a word problem.
• Get a free sample of my Algebra 1 critical thinking questions ↓

8 thoughts on “20 Math Critical Thinking Questions to Ask in Class Tomorrow”

I would love to see your free math writing prompts, but there is no place for me to sign up. thank you

Ahh sorry about that! I just updated the button link!

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What is the Critical Thinking Test?

Critical thinking practice test, take a free practice critical thinking test, practice critical thinking test.

Updated November 16, 2023

The Critical Thinking Test is a comprehensive evaluation designed to assess individuals' cognitive capacities and analytical prowess.

This formal examination, often referred to as the critical thinking assessment, is a benchmark for those aiming to demonstrate their proficiency in discernment and problem-solving.

In addition, this evaluative tool meticulously gauges a range of skills, including logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and the ability to evaluate and synthesize information.

This article will embark on an exploration of the Critical Thinking Test, elucidating its intricacies and elucidating its paramount importance. We will dissect the essential skills it measures and clarify its significance in gauging one's intellectual aptitude.

We will examine examples of critical thinking questions, illuminating the challenging scenarios that candidates encounter prompting them to navigate the complexities of thought with finesse.

Before going ahead to take the critical thinking test, let's delve into the realm of preparation. This segment serves as a crucible for honing the skills assessed in the actual examination, offering candidates a chance to refine their analytical blades before facing the real challenge. Here are some skills that will help you with the critical thinking assessment: Logical Reasoning: The practice test meticulously evaluates your ability to deduce conclusions from given information, assess the validity of arguments, and recognize patterns in logic. Analytical Thinking: Prepare to dissect complex scenarios, identify key components, and synthesize information to draw insightful conclusions—a fundamental aspect of the critical thinking assessment. Problem-Solving Proficiency: Navigate through intricate problems that mirror real-world challenges, honing your capacity to approach issues systematically and derive effective solutions. What to Expect: The Critical Thinking Practice Test is crafted to mirror the format and complexity of the actual examination. Expect a series of scenarios, each accompanied by a set of questions that demand thoughtful analysis and logical deduction. These scenarios span diverse fields, from business and science to everyday scenarios, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of your critical thinking skills. Examples of Critical Thinking Questions Scenario: In a business context, analyze the potential impacts of a proposed strategy on both short-term profitability and long-term sustainability. Question: What factors would you consider in determining the viability of the proposed strategy, and how might it affect the company's overall success? Scenario: Evaluate conflicting scientific studies on a pressing environmental issue.

Question: Identify the key methodologies and data points in each study. How would you reconcile the disparities to form an informed, unbiased conclusion?

Why Practice Matters

Engaging in the Critical Thinking Practice Test familiarizes you with the test format and cultivates a mindset geared towards agile and astute reasoning. This preparatory phase allows you to refine your cognitive toolkit, ensuring you approach the assessment with confidence and finesse.

We'll navigate through specific examples as we proceed, offering insights into effective strategies for tackling critical thinking questions. Prepare to embark on a journey of intellectual sharpening, where each practice question refines your analytical prowess for the challenges ahead.

This is a practice critical thinking test.

The test consists of three questions . 

After you have answered all the questions, you will be shown the correct answers and given full explanations.

Make sure you read and fully understand each question before answering. Work quickly, but don't rush. You cannot afford to make mistakes on a real test .

If you get a question wrong, make sure you find out why and learn how to answer this type of question in the future. 

Six friends are seated in a restaurant across a rectangular table. There are three chairs on each side. Adam and Dorky do not have anyone sitting to their right and Clyde and Benjamin do not have anyone sitting to their left. Adam and Benjamin are not sitting on the same side of the table.

If Ethan is not sitting next to Dorky, who is seated immediately to the left of Felix?

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Numerical Critical Reasoning Test: Free Practice & Tips

• Sample Questions

If your employer or prospective employer has asked you to take a numerical critical reasoning test, then you’re in for a challenge. These exams are widely known as the most difficult psychometric examinations around, and they’ll demand all of your attention and ingenuity. Here’s what you should know going for the interview.

What’s the Difference Between a Numerical Reasoning Test & a Quantitative Critical Thinking Test?

A numerical reasoning test is fairly straightforward insofar as it uses standard algebraic formulas and geometric theorems. A regular numerical reasoning exam won’t require all that much creativity. As long as you’re comfortable using percentages, ratios, proportions, etc., you shouldn’t have too much difficulty arriving at the answer.

A quantitative critical thinking test, by contrast, will require much more from you. Not only will you have to extract information from graphs, tables, and word problems, but you’ll also have to manipulate data in strange ways and pull in outside information to come to a conclusion.

What Does a Critical Reasoning Test Prove?

Critical reasoning questions test your ability to think outside the box and solve problems in new ways. Innovative companies like Apple and Google are always on the search for clever engineers who bring a fresh perspective to the team and approach dilemmas from new angles.

As Einstein once said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

While your new job probably won’t require you to solve logic puzzles at your desk, you’ll surely face unforeseen obstacles and challenges. By requiring this test as part of the hiring process, the company is hoping to find unique, fertile minds with new ideas.

Who Do Numerical Critical Reasoning Tests Assess?

Numerical critical reasoning tests are used to test any job-seekers from entry-level graduate applicants to senior level professionals. The pre-employment screening questions used on these psychometric exams are designed to test critical thinking skills required to make calculated decisions on an everyday basis.

What Do Numerical Critical Reasoning Tests Assess?

Unlike a standard numerical reasoning test, quantitative critical thinking tests are more unpredictable. You can practice abstract reasoning questions , logic puzzles, and estimation problems, but critical reasoning tests are designed to trick you.

How to prepare for a Numerical Critical Reasoning Assessment?

That is to say, that chances are more than likely you’ll encounter problems you haven’t seen before. The best way, and perhaps the only way, to prepare for this kind of exam is to review your standard formulas. Critical reasoning tests usually don’t last longer than about 20 minutes, so you’ll be working under pressure. The last thing you’d want is to forget the mathematical knowledge you do have.

Final Preparation Tips:

Quantitative critical reasoning isn’t simple. It requires a great deal of creativity and concentration. Not only do you need to have mastered the basics, but you need to be able to manipulate mathematical rules in unpredictable ways. These online questions and videos can get you started on numerical critical reasoning, but if you want to be really prepared for the assessment center, make sure to check out some of our resources below.

Free Example Questions:

• There are 8 billiard balls, and one of them weighs slightly more than the others. What is the minimum number of times you need to use the scale to figure out which ball is heaviest?
• A man needs to take one X pill and one Y pill every day. One day, he shakes out one X pill into his hand and then two Y pills. Unfortunately, the pills look, taste, and smell exactly the same. How does the man figure out which pills he needs to take without wasting any?

Explained Answers:

On the other hand, if the two sides are equal, you know the heavier ball is in the third group, which you haven’t weighed yet. So, you’ll place one ball on either side of the scale to find out which one is heavier.

• If he has one X pill and two Y pills, he’ll need to line them up in a row, split them all in half, and place each half on the table. Then, he’ll take another X and split it in half so that each side will contain a total of one X and one Y. Finally, he’ll take one half and save the other half to take the following day.

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• Critical Thinking

How To Encourage Critical Thinking in Math

By Mary Montero

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Critical thinking is more than just a buzzword… It’s an essential skill that helps students develop problem-solving abilities and make logical connections between different concepts. By encouraging critical thinking in math, students learn to approach problems more thoughtfully, they learn to analyze and evaluate math concepts, identify patterns and relationships, and explore different strategies for finding the solution. Critical thinking also involves a great deal of persistence. Those are critical life skills!

When you think about it, students are typically asked to solve math problems and find the answer. Showing their work is frequently stressed too, which is important, but not the end. Instead, students need to be able to look at math in different ways in order to truly grasp a complete understanding of math concepts. Mathematics requires logical reasoning, problem-solving, and abstract thinking.

What Does Critical Thinking in Math Look Like?

When I think about critical thinking in math, I focus on:

• Solving problems through logical thinking . Students learn how to break down complex problems, analyze the different parts, and understand how they fit together logically.
• Identifying patterns and making connections. Students learn how to identify patterns across different math concepts, make connections between seemingly unrelated topics, and develop a more in-depth understanding of how math works.
• Evaluating and comparing solutions. Students learn to evaluate which solution is best for a given problem and identify any flaws in their reasoning or others’ reasoning when looking at different solutions

Mathematician Posters

These FREE Marvelous Mathematician posters have been a staple in my classroom for the last 8+ years! I first started using a version from MissMathDork and adapted them for my classroom over the years. 

I print, laminate, and add magnetic stickers on the back. At the beginning of the year, I only put one or two up at a time depending on our area of focus. Now, they are all hanging on my board, and I’ll pull out different ones depending on our area of focus. They are so empowering to my mathematicians and help them stay on track!

A Marvelous Mathematician:

• knows that quicker doesn’t mean better
• looks for patterns
• knows mistakes happen and keeps going
• makes sense of the most important details
• embraces challenges and works through frustrations
• uses proper math vocabulary to explain their thinking
• shows their work and models their thinking
• discusses solutions and evaluates reasonableness
• gives context by labeling answers
• applies mathematical knowledge to similar situations
• checks for errors (computational and conceptual)

Critical Thinking Math Activities

Here are a few of my favorite critical thinking activities. 

Square Of Numbers

I love to incorporate challenge problems (use Nrich and Openmiddle to get started) because they teach my students so much more than how to solve a math problem. They learn important lessons in teamwork, persistence, resiliency, and growth mindset. We talk about strategies for tackling difficult problems and the importance of not giving up when things get hard.

This square of numbers challenge was a hit!

ALL kids need to feel and learn to embrace challenge. Oftentimes, kids I see have rarely faced an academic challenge. Things have just come easy to them, so when it doesn’t, they can lack strategies that will help them. In fact, they will often give up before they even get started.

I tell them it’s my job to make sure I’m helping them stretch and grow their brain by giving them challenges. They don’t love it at first, but they eventually do! 

This domino challenge was another one from Nrich . I’m always on the hunt for problems like this!!  How would you guide students toward an answer??

Fifteen Cards

This is a well-loved math puzzle with my students, and it’s amazing for encouraging students to consider all options when solving a math problem.

We have number cards 1-15 (one of each number) and only seven are laid out. With the given clues, students need to figure out which seven cards should be put out and in what order. My students love these, and after they’ve done a few, they enjoy creating their own, too! Use products, differences, and quotients to increase the challenge.

This is also adapted from Nrich, which is an AMAZING resource for math enrichment!

This is one of my favorite fraction lessons that I’ve done for years! Huge shout out to Meg from The Teacher Studio for this one. I give each child a slip of paper with this figure and they have to silently write their answer and justification. Then I tally up the answers and have students take a side and DEBATE with their reasoning! It’s an AMAZING conversation, and I highly recommend trying it with your students. 

Sometimes we leave it hanging overnight and work on visual models to make some proofs. 

Logic Puzzles

Logic puzzles are always a hit too! You can enrich and extend your math lessons with these ‘Math Mystery’ logic puzzles that are the perfect challenge for 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. The puzzles are skills-based, so they integrate well with almost ANY math lesson. You can use them to supplement instruction or challenge your fast-finishers and gifted students… all while encouraging critical thinking about important math skills!

Three levels are included, so they’re perfect to use for differentiation.

• Introductory logic puzzles are great for beginners (4th grade and up!)
• Advanced logic puzzles are great for students needing an extra challenge
• Extra Advanced logic puzzles are perfect for expert solvers… we dare you to figure these puzzles out! 

Do you have a group of students who are ready for more of a fraction challenge? My well-loved fraction puzzlers are absolutely perfect for fraction enrichment. They’ll motivate your students to excel at even the most challenging tasks! 

Math Projects

Math projects are another way to differentiation while building critical thinking skills. Math projects hold so much learning power with their real-world connections, differentiation options, collaborative learning opportunities, and numerous avenues for cross curricular learning too. 

If you’re new to math projects, I shared my best tips and tricks for using math projects in this blog post . They’re perfect for cumulative review, seasonal practice, centers, early finisher work, and more.

I use both concept-based math projects to focus on specific standards and seasonal math projects that integrate several skills.

Error Analysis

Finally, error analysis is always a challenging way to encourage critical thinking. When we use error analysis, we encourage students to analyze their own mistakes to prevent making the same mistakes in the future.

For my gifted students, I use error analysis tasks as an assessment when they have shown mastery of a unit during other tasks. For students in the regular classroom needing enrichment, I usually have them complete the tasks in a center or with a partner.

For students needing extra support, we complete error analysis in small groups.  We go step-by-step through the concept and they are always able to eventually identify what the error is. It is so empowering to students when they finally figure out the error AND it helps prevent them from making the same error in the future!

My FREE addition error analysis is a good place to start, no matter the grade level. I show them the process of walking through the problem and how best to complete an error analysis task.

When you’re ready for more, this bundle of error analysis tasks contains more than 240 tasks to engage and enrich your students in critical thinking practice.

If you want to dig even deeper, visit this conceptual vs computational error analysis post to learn more about using error analysis in the classroom. 

Related Critical Thinking Posts

• How to Increase Critical Thinking and Creativity in Your “Spare” Time
• More Tips to Increase Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is essential for students to develop a deeper understanding of math concepts, problem-solving skills, and a stronger ability to reason logically. When you learn how to encourage critical thinking in math, you’re setting your students up for success not only in more advanced math subjects they’ll encounter, but also in life. 

How do you integrate critical thinking in your classroom? Come share your ideas with us in our FREE Inspired In Upper Elementary Facebook group .

Mary Montero

I’m so glad you are here. I’m a current gifted and talented teacher in a small town in Colorado, and I’ve been in education since 2009. My passion (other than my family and cookies) is for making teachers’ lives easier and classrooms more engaging.

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One Comment

Mary Thankyou for your inspirational activities. I have just read and loved the morning talk activities. I do have meetings with my students but usually at end of day. What time do you

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Critical Thinking Test: Sample Questions with Explanations (2024)

Employers value and seek candidates who demonstrate advanced critical thinking skills. They often administer critical thinking tests as part of their hiring process. Critical thinking tests can be very difficult for those who don’t prepare. A great way to start practicing is by taking our critical thinking free practice test.

What Does The Critical Thinking Test Include?

The Critical Thinking Test assesses your capacity to think critically and form logical conclusions when given written information. Critical thinking tests are generally used in job recruitment processes, in the legal sector. These tests measure the analytical critical thinking abilities of a candidate.

Why Is Critical Thinking Useful?

Critical thinking is put into action in various stages of decision-making and problem-solving tasks:

• Identify the problem
• Choose suitable information to find the solution
• Identify the assumptions that are implied and written in the text
• Form hypotheses and choose the most suitable and credible answers
• Form well-founded conclusions and determine the soundness of inferences

What is Watson Glaser Test and what Critical Thinking Skills it Measures?

The most common type of critical thinking test is the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (W-GCTA). Typically used by legal and financial organizations, as well as management businesses, a Watson Glaser test is created to assess candidates’ critical thinking skills.

The test consists of 10 questions to be answered in 10 minutes approx (although there is no timer on the test itself). Our test is slightly harder than the real thing, to make it sufficiently challenging practice.

You need to get 70% correct to pass the test. Don’t forget to first check out the test techniques section further down this page beforehand.

Questions          25

Pass percentage          70%.

The test is broken down into five central areas:

• Assumptions
• Interpretation

Critical Thinking Course

• 1 BONUS Interview Prep Video Guide Buy this Course: Get full access to all lessons, practice tests and guides.

The Five Critical Thinking Skills Explained

1. recognition of assumption.

You’ll be presented with a statement. The statement is then followed by several proposed assumptions. When answering, you must work out if an assumption was made or if an assumption was not made in the statement. An assumption is a proclamation that an individual takes for granted. This section of the tests measures your ability to withhold from forming assumptions about things that are not necessarily correct.

• 1: Assumption Made
• 2: Assumption Not Made

Although the passage does state that Charlie’s fundraising team is doing its best so that the charity event can meet its goal, nowhere did it state that their team is leading the event.

2. Evaluation of Arguments

You will be presented with an argument. You will then be asked to decide whether the argument is strong or weak. An argument is considered strong if it directly connects to the statement provided, and is believed to be significant.

No, participation awards should not be given in every competition because studies have shown that this would cause the participants to put in less effort because they will get a prize no matter what the outcome is.

• 1: Strong Argument
• 2: Weak Argument

This is a strong argument as it provides evidence as to why participation awards should not be given in every competition

3. Deductions

In deduction questions, you will need to form conclusions based solely on the information provided in the question and not based on your knowledge. You will be given a small passage of information and you will need to evaluate a list of deductions made based on that passage. If the conclusion cannot be formed for the information provided, then the conclusion does not follow. The answer must be entirely founded on the statements made and not on conclusions drawn from your knowledge.

In a surprise party for Donna, Edna arrived after Felix and Gary did. Kelly arrived before Felix and Gary did.

• 1: Conclusion Follows
• 2: Conclusion Does not Follow

For questions like this, jot down the clues to help you out. Use initials as a quick reference.

K | F&G | E

Looking at the simple diagram, “K”, which stands for “Kelly,” arrived before Edna “E” did. The answer is A.

4. Interpretation

In these questions, you are given a passage of information followed by a list of possible conclusions. You will need to interpret the information in the paragraph and determine whether or not each conclusion follows, based solely on the information given.

A number of students were given the following advice:

“The use of powerful words is a technique, which makes you a better writer. Your choice of words is very important in molding the way people interaction with the article. You should use powerful words to spice up your article. Power words should be used liberally to enhance the flavor of what you write! ”

In the fourth sentence, it is stated, “Power words should be used liberally to enhance the flavor of what you write!”

Thus, if you were to write an essay, using powerful words can give more flavor to it.

5. Inferences

An inference is a conclusion made from observed or supposed facts and details. It is information that is not apparent in the information provided but rather is extracted from it. In this section, you will be provided with a passage of information about a specific scene or event. A list of possible inferences will then be given, and you will need to decide if they are ‘true’, ‘false’, ‘possibly true’, ‘possibly false’, or whether it is not possible to say based on the information provided.

With the advancement of technology, the need for more infrastructure has never been higher. According to the plan of the current U.S. Administration, it aims to put a $1 trillion investment on improving infrastructure, a portion of which will include priority projects and technologies that can strengthen its economic competitiveness such as transportation, 5G wireless communication technology, rural broadband technologies, advanced manufacturing technologies, and even artificial intelligence.

It stated that it expects to work with Congress to develop a comprehensive infrastructure package, which is expected to have a budget of $200 billion for certain priorities.

• 2: Probably True
• 3: Not Enough Information
• 4: Probably False

Although it was mentioned in the passage that the U.S. government is to allocate $200 billion on certain priorities, it did not specify if these certain priorities were for ‘transportation, 5G wireless communication technology, rural broadband technologies, advanced manufacturing technologies, and artificial intelligence’ or if the aforementioned priorities will have a different allocation.

What we can be sure of, however, is that at least a portion of the $1 trillion infrastructure budget will be used on the mentioned priorities regardless, meaning that there is a chance that $200 billion will be used on those aforementioned areas.

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Critical Thinking Test Practice ▷ Free Critical Reasoning Samples & Tips 2024

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✻  What is a Critical Thinking Test ?

✻  Sample Questions

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✻  Free Critical Thinking Practice Test

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What Is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking, also known as critical reasoning, is the ability to assess a situation and consider/understand various perspectives, all while acknowledging, extracting and deciphering facts, opinions and assumptions. Critical thinking tests are a sub-type of aptitude exams  or psychometric tests used in pre-employment assessment for jobs reacquiring advanced analytical and learning skills.

The Skills You Will Be Tested On

Critical thinking tests can have 5 major sections or sub-tests that assess and measure a variety of aspects.

1) Inference

In this section, you are asked to draw conclusions from observed or supposed facts. You are presented with a short text containing a set of facts you should consider as true.

Below the text is a statement that could be inferred from the text. You need to make a judgement on whether this statement is valid or not, based on what you have read.

Furthermore, you are asked to evaluate whether the statement is true, probably true, there is insufficient data to determine, probably false, or false.

For example:  if a baby is crying and it is his feeding time, you may infer that the baby is hungry. However, the baby may be crying for other reasons—perhaps it is hot.

2) Recognising Assumptions

In this section, you are asked to recognise whether an assumption is justifiable or not.

Here you are given a statement followed by an assumption on that statement. You need to establish whether this assumption can be supported by the statement or not.

You are being tested on your ability to avoid taking things for granted that are not necessarily true. For example, you may say, "I’ll have the same job in three months," but you would be taking for granted the fact that your workplace won't make you redundant, or that you won’t decide to quit and explore various other possibilities.

You are asked to choose between the options of assumption made and assumption not made.

3) Deduction

This section tests your ability to weigh information and decide whether given conclusions are warranted.

You are presented with a statement of facts followed by a conclusion on what you have read. For example, you may be told, "Nobody in authority can avoid making uncomfortable decisions."

You must then decide whether a statement such as "All people must make uncomfortable decisions" is warranted from the first statement.

You need to assess whether the conclusion follows or the conclusion does not follow what is contained in the statement. You can read more about our  deductive logical thinking test  resources here. 

4) Interpretation

This section measures your ability to understand the weighing of different arguments on a particular question or issue.

You are given a short paragraph to read, which you are expected to take as true. This paragraph is followed by a suggested conclusion, for which you must decide if it follows beyond a reasonable doubt.

You have the choice of conclusion follows and conclusion does not follow.

5) Evaluation of Arguments

In this section you are asked to evaluate the strength of an argument.

You are given a question followed by an argument. The argument is considered to be true, but you must decide whether it is a strong or weak argument, i.e. whether it is both important and directly related to the question.

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Critical Thinking Question Examples

As there are various forms of critical thinking and critical reasoning, we've provided a number of critical thinking sample questions.

You can take our full Critical Thinking Sample Test to see more questions.

Argument Analysis Sample Question

Which of the following is true?

• Most of the people surveyed, whether they own pets or do not own pets, displayed outstanding interpersonal capacities.
• The adoption of a pet involves personal sacrifice and occasional inconvenience.
• People with high degrees of empathy are more likely to adopt pets than people with low degrees of empathy.
• Interpersonal capacities entail tuning in to all the little signals necessary to operate as a couple.
• A person's degree of empathy is highly correlated with his or her capacity for personal sacrifice.

The correct answer is C

Answer explanation: In a question of this type, the rule is very simple: the main conclusion of an argument is found either in the first or the last sentence. If, however, the main conclusion appears in the middle of an argument, it will begin with a signal word such as thus, therefore, or so. Regardless of where the main conclusion appears, the rest of the passage will give the reasons why the conclusion is true or should be adopted. The main conclusion in this passage is the last sentence, signaled by the words, 'This indicates that people who are especially empathetic are more likely to adopt a pet than people who are less empathetic'.

Argument Practice Sample Question

A: No. Differential bonuses have been found to create a hostile working environment, which leads to a decrease in the quality and quantity of products .

This argument is:

The correct answer is A (Strong)

Schema of the statement: Differential cash bonuses (productivity↑) → workplace↑

Explanation: This argument targets both the action and the consequences of the action on the object of the statement. It states that the action (implementing differential cash bonuses) has a negative effect on the workplace (a decrease in the quality and quantity of products). Therefore, it is an important argument, one that is relevant for the workplace. Note that this argument does not specifically target differential cash bonuses. Still, they are considered a sub-group of the subject of the argument (differential bonuses).

Interpretations Sample Question

Proposed assumption: Vicki and Bill encountered a personal battle because they couldn’t come to terms with their disease.

A. Conclusion follows

B. Conclusion does not follow

The correct answer is B (Conclusion does not follow)

It is plausible that the reason people who suffer from sleep apnoea encounter a personal battle is because of an inability to come to terms with this disease. However, since the passage does not provide an actual reason, you cannot reach this conclusion without reasonable doubt. 

The most common type of Critical Thinking Assessment is the Watson Glaser .

Difficult and time-pressured, the Watsong Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA) takes a unique testing approach that breaks away from more traditional assessments. To see examples, check out our free Watson Glaser practice test .

Our expertly curated practice programme for the Watson Glaser will provide you with:

• A full-length diagnostic simulation
• Focused practice tests for the different test sections: inferences, assumptions, deductive reasoning, interpretations, and arguments.
• 3 additional full-length simulations
• Interactive tutorials

Or learn more about the Watson Glaser Test.

Critical Thinking Tests FAQs

What critical reasoning test am I most likely to take?

Very Likely the Watson-Glaser test

Another popular critical thinking assessment, Watson-Glaser is a well-established psychometric test produced by Pearson Assessments.

The Watson-Glaser test is used for two main purposes: job selection/talent management and academic evaluations. The Watson-Glaser test can be administered online or in-person.

For Watson Glaser practice questions,  click here !

What skills do critical reasoning test measure?

Critical Thinking can refer to various skills:

• Defining the problem
• Selecting the relevant information to solve the problem
• Recognising assumptions that are both written and implied in the text
• Creating hypotheses and selecting the most relevant and credible solutions
• Reaching valid conclusions and judging the validity of inferences

Pearson TalentLens condenses critical thinking into three major areas:

• R ecognise assumptions – the ability to notice and question assumptions, recognise information gaps or unfounded logic. Basically not taking anything for granted.
• E valuate arguments – the ability to analyse information objectively without letting your emotions affect your opinion.
• D raw conclusions – the ability to reach focused conclusions and inferences by considering diverse information, avoiding generalisations and disregarding information that is not available.

These are abilities that employers highly value in their employees, because they come into play in many stages of problem-solving and decision-making processes in the workplace, especially in business, management and law.

Why are critical thinking tests important to employers?

Critical thinking, or critical reasoning, is important to employers because they want to see that when dealing with an issue, you are able to make logical decisions without involving emotions.

Being able to look past emotions will help you to be open-minded, confident, and decisive—making your decisions more logical and sound.

What professions use critical thinking tests?

Below are some professions that use critical thinking tests and assessments during the hiring process as well as some positions that demand critical thinking and reasoning skills:

Preparation Packs for Critical Thinking & Critical Reasoning Assessmentsץ The Critical Thinking PrepPack™ provides you with the largest assembly of practice tests, study guides and tutorials. Our tests come complete with straightforward expert explanations and predictive score reports to let you know your skill level as well as your advancement. By using our materials you can significantly increase your potential within a few days and secure yourself better chances to get the job.

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Are you about to apply for a role in the finance industry?

Several major banking and consulting employers evaluate their applicants using critical thinking tests, among other methods. Visit your potential employer's page to better understand the tests you are about to face, and start preparing today!

HSBC  |  UBS  |  Bain & Co  |  Macquarie  |  Morgan Stanley  |  Barclays  |  EIB  |  Deloitte  |  Deutsche Bank  |  KPMG  |  PWC  |  Lazard  |  EY  |  Nomura  |  BCG  |  BNP Paribas  |  Jefferies | Moelis & Co

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Measuring Mathematical Critical Thinking

• First Online: 31 August 2021

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• Benjamin Rott 7  

Part of the book series: Freiburger Empirische Forschung in der Mathematikdidaktik ((FEFMD))

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To accompany the identification of epistemological beliefs in the study at hand, an aspect of mathematical knowledge and competence was chosen to be assessed as well. Instead of measuring mathematical achievement in terms of students’ knowledge of the content of university courses, we chose to address critical thinking (CT). This choice was made to capture the students’ actual use of mathematical knowledge for a theoretically more coherent picture of their competence

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Both articles were published in PME (International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education) conferences proceedings, where the copyright remains with the authors.

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Rott, B. (2021). Measuring Mathematical Critical Thinking. In: Epistemological Beliefs and Critical Thinking in Mathematics. Freiburger Empirische Forschung in der Mathematikdidaktik. Springer Spektrum, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-33539-7_3

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Mathematical Reasoning Tests Practice & How to Get Ready for Them? – 2024

What Is Mathematical Reasoning?

Mathematical reasoning is the ability to use quantitative data to identify patterns, solve problems without a pre-existing formula, interpret graphs and find plausible conclusions when presented with numerical evidence. Mathematical reasoning is a high-calibre form of critical thinking and problem-solving that is sought after in a variety of fields including healthcare, finance, and mechanical-based occupations.

What Is a Mathematical Reasoning Test?

Mathematical reasoning tests are administered to evaluate the aforementioned skills. This is achieved with questions that assess the candidate’s aptitude with basic mathematical functions, percentages, ratios, fractions, and statistics among other numerical disciplines. Depending on the field you are interested in, you may come across one of the following tests:

• Basic Skills Test The basic skills test is slightly different than the others because it covers more bases than just mathematical reasoning. The basic skills test also assess verbal skills and evaluates these two abilities alongside one another. This test will be equal parts math and verbal reasoning. It is commonly used to place candidates for multiple roles rather than evaluating them for one position.
• Basic Numeracy Test The basic numeracy test appraises the candidate’s mathematical foundation. Questions will consist of the fundamentals such as: algebra, decimals, geometrical concepts, and the four operations. This test is most common for administrative and operational jobs but is utilized to assess applicants seeking employment for jobs that require the use of basic math on a regular basis.
• Numerical Reasoning Test The numerical reasoning test is the most popular mathematical reasoning assessment to date. This test is more comprehensive than the previously detailed assessments because candidates must interact with ‘real world’ problems. They will be presented with graphs, tables and charts that fit a hypothetical scenario that is prevalent in their field. From there, they must find a solution and choose the correct answer from a list of choices.
• Advanced Numerical Reasoning The advanced numerical reasoning test follows a similar structure as the numerical reasoning test; however, it is considered much more difficult. The advanced version assesses your unlearned abilities alongside your prior knowledge of the content. This includes formulas that are not explicitly stated, the ability to interpret data and graphs, and strong analytical skills are a must.
• Critical Numerical Reasoning Test The critical numerical reasoning test is a subcategory of the advanced numerical reasoning tests. The difference is the precision of the critical numerical reasoning tests. This assessment is methodical and is typically administered to job seekers interested in technology or engineering.
• Currency and Unit Conversion Test The currency and unit conversion test is very simple. The candidate is asked to take a number and convert it to an international currency or unit. For example, what would forty American dollars be in Euros?
• Non-Calculator Test The non-calculator test is exactly what it sounds like; a math test without a calculator. This test will be comprised of the same principles as any other numerical reasoning test; however, the numbers are smaller and easier to work with. This test serves the purpose of assessing the candidate’s ability to work through problems mentally. To accomplish this, the non-calculator tests must be completed within a smaller amount of time than the other assessments.

How Is the Mathematical Reasoning Test Scored?

The mathematical reasoning test scores are reported to the employer as a raw score and a percentile score. The raw score is the amount of correct answers. A percentile score is how well you fared in comparison to your norm group. Your norm group will be a collection of scores from people in the same field as you at the same level of experience.

While your raw score is important, employers typically emphasize the percentile score because it tells them if you exceed, meet, or fail to meet their benchmark. For example, if you were to achieve a percentile score of eighty, that would tell the company that you did better than 80% of the people that have taken this assessment. The percentile is on a scale of zero to one hundred with fifty being the average.

Most companies will not send you your exact scores, instead, you will receive a notification alerting you if you have passed or not. Some companies will send you a feedback report which details the areas you should work on. A few common subsets are:

• Data interpretation
• Applied Mathematics
• Algebra & Geometry
• Fractions & Ratios

The score that is expected out of you depends on the requirements of the company. It is important to keep in mind that companies will bar numerous candidates from consideration if they don’t meet or exceed their standards.

When Will I Take the Mathematical Reasoning Test?

The mathematical reasoning test is most commonly administered during the interview process. The pre-employment math test is administered after the initial screening as an objective measure of the candidate’s numerical aptitude. If a candidate is successful in the first stage of the recruitment process, they will receive the online assessments via email within one or two weeks. Candidates are asked to complete the assessments within a specified number of days, after which the candidate will be notified of their standing within the week.

How to Prepare for the Mathematical Reasoning Test?

Math is a difficult subject for most. The mathematical reasoning test questions are designed to trip you up and the answer choices can be identical and confusing. Luckily, the content of the mathematical reasoning tests can be studied which is uncommon for aptitude tests .

If you want to prepare for your mathematical reasoning test successfully, review the previously described subsets by working through practice problems. The best study tools are online practice tests. By using these tests, you can prepare for both the material and the time constraint. It’s important to practice with the running clock because many candidates find themselves skipping or guessing at the questions; this method negatively impacts both your raw and percentile score. If you spend some time using the online practice tests, you can find the pace that works best for you.

Another benefit of the online practice tests is their variety. You will be able to prepare for each type of question from percentages to analysis. After you have taken the practice test, if you feel unsure about a certain subset, you can narrow your preparation to make certain that you do well in that section during the test.

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10 Brilliant Math Brain Teasers

Tap into rigorous problem-solving and critical thinking with these playful math brain teasers for middle and high school students.  

To break the ice during the first few awkward moments of class in the new school year, high school math teacher Lorenzo Robinson uses an unusual strategy: He reads his students’ minds.

Here’s how the mystical feat unfolds: Each student picks a number between 1 and 100. Next, they use calculators to add, subtract, multiply, and divide their way through a set of predetermined numbers. At the end, everyone ends up with the same answer: 427. Robinson isn’t psychic, of course, but because the mechanics of the teaser are always the same, regardless of which initial numbers his students select, he’s able to correctly “guess” their final result—much to their amazement. 

Starting off the lesson with a math brain teaser sets a playful tone and lowers the stakes for kids, “generating a buzz around my class,” Robinson says. “It makes students feel as though this class is not going to be scary, it’s going to be interesting. ‘We’re going to be learning, but we’re also going to have some fun.’” 

Robinson thinks of math brain teasers as a variation on brain breaks —a brief respite from dense curricular material that gives kids time to pause and process. They can also provide an opportunity to build relationships and community as kids put their heads together to find solutions. Good brain teasers can be sneaky: They get kids developing problem-solving and critical thinking skills. 

Meanwhile, before introducing a new one, Robinson works through the problem himself, identifying questions that students might have along the way and making sure his class has the background knowledge to understand how the teaser works. It’s important, he says, to provide a few minutes for kids to examine and discuss the teaser. Ask them to observe, highlight, and share things that stand out. 

“The most powerful reaction is when a kid doesn’t get the correct answer,” Robinson says, and they ask to try the problem again. “They want to feel what the other kids are feeling, that educational euphoria. They want to do it again because they want to be right.” That organic intellectual curiosity is hugely helpful in high school math, Robinson says, because it can be “parlayed into the other stuff that we do.”

We combed through dozens of math brain teasers to find 10 good ones—including several of Robinson’s tried-and-true favorites.  

Number Magic: I’ll Bet Your Number is… 427

• Start by having students pick any number between 1 and 100. 
• Add 28. 
• Multiply that number by 6. 
• Subtract 3. 
• Divide that number by 3. 
• Subtract 3 more than your original number. 
• Add 8. 
• Subtract 1 less than your original number. 
• Multiply that number by 7. 

And voilà, you’ll correctly identify each student’s final result as 427. Courtesy of: Lorenzo Robinson  

Can Your Shoe Size Tell Your Age? 

• Start with your shoe size. If you are a half size—for example, size 8.5—round up to 9.
• Multiply your shoe size by 5. 
• Add 50. 
• Multiply that number by 20. 
• Subtract the year you were born—for example, 1991. Add 1 if you already had your birthday this year. 

The first digit(s) are your shoe size, and the last two digits are your age.  Courtesy of: Lorenzo Robinson.  

Cutting Across a Cross

Ask students to draw a cross on a sheet of paper. Drawing one on the board as a point of reference is helpful. Next, ask students to draw two straight lines that will segment or cut the cross into pieces. The goal is to produce the most pieces.

The solution can be found here .  Sourced from: MathisFun.com .

Number Magic: I’ll Bet Your Final Number is… 5  

• Start with a positive number. Students shouldn’t say the number out loud.
• Square that number. 
• Add 10x the original number to what you have now. 
• Add 25 to the result of the previous step. 
• Now take the square root of that number, rounding to the nearest whole number. 
• Subtract your original number.
• Before students share their final figure, reveal that you guess their collective result is 5. 

Courtesy of: Lorenzo Robinson.

Birthday Math 

Have students work in pairs and share the following instructions with their partner:

• Start with the number 7.
• Multiply that by the month of your birth. For example, if you were born in September, you’d use the number 9 to represent your birth month. 
• Subtract 1. 
• Multiply that number by 13. 
• Add the day of your birth. 
• Add 3. 
• Multiply that number by 11. 
• Subtract the month of your birth. 
• Subtract the day of your birth. 
• Divide by 10.
• Add 11 to that number. 
• Divide by 100. 

The result on the calculator screen should be their partner’s birthday.  Sourced from: Dr. Mike’s Math Games for Kids .

Coin Conundrum

Ask students to imagine that they have two coins that total 30 cents in value. Have them try to figure out what the two coins are, only providing them with a singular piece of information: One of the coins is not a nickel. The answer: A quarter and a nickel. (Only one of the coins is not a nickel.)

Sourced from: WeAreTeachers .

The Phone Number Trick  

• Ignoring your area code, type the first three digits of your phone number into a calculator.
• Multiply that number by 80. 
• Add 1. 
• Multiply that number by 250. 
• Add the last four digits of your phone number. 
• Add the last four digits of your phone number again. 
• Subtract 250. 
• Divide this number by 2. Do you recognize your phone number?

Courtesy of: Lorenzo Robinson. 

A Number Challenge

For a slightly more independent teaser, challenge students to produce a math equation that works using these four numbers—2, 3, 4, and 5—as well as a plus (+) and equal sign (=). Students can work individually, in pairs, or in small groups as they try to create a valid equation. The answer: 2 + 5 = 3 + 4.

Sourced from: WeAreTeachers .  

Math Mind Reader 

Students can work in pairs with this teaser. One person will start off by holding the calculator so their partner cannot see it; the other person can read the steps aloud to the partner with the calculator. 

• The student with the calculator starts by choosing a whole number from 1 to 20 and writing it down on a piece of paper without letting their partner see it. 
• Next, the student with the calculator enters their secret number into the calculator. 
• Multiply that number by 3. 
• Add the secret number, then subtract 5. 
• Multiply by 3, then multiply by 3 again. 
• Add the secret number, then subtract the number of their favorite month (you don’t have to know what month it is). For example, 9 represents the ninth month of the year, September. 
• Multiply by 3, then multiply by 3 again, and then again a third time. 
• Add the secret number, then subtract their favorite day of the month (again, you don’t have to know what it is on your end). 
• Ask them to show the non-calculator partner the result. At this stage, the non-calculator partner can guess the original secret number, even though what appears on the screen may be a very large number. 

If the result is negative, their secret number is 1.

If the result has only three digits, their secret number is 2.

In all other cases, ignore the last three digits, and then add 2 to get the secret number! 

Sourced from: Dr. Mike’s Math Games for Kids .

What’s Unique About This Number?

After writing the number 8,549,176,320 on the board, ask students to observe the number and tell you everything they think is unique about the number.

Answer: It is the digits 0 to 9 in alphabetical order (eight, five, four, nine, one, seven, six, three, two, zero), but it’s surprising and fun to see what students come up with. This number can also be evenly divided by the digits 1 through 9 except for the number 7, for example. 

Sourced from: MathisFun.com . 

5. Teaching Mathematical Reasoning: Critical Math Thinking Through Problem-Solving and Modeling

• Mathematical problem-solving : This approach makes students think conceptually about problems before applying tools they’ve learned.
• Mathematical modeling : Modeling projects give students experience in weighing several factors against one another and using mathematical knowledge to make decisions.

I. Mathematical Problem-Solving

An emphasis on open-ended mathematical problem-solving can help develop mathematical reasoning skills and address a problem teachers have long been concerned about: too much “rote” learning in math. 

Too often students spend time in math class memorizing procedures and applying them mindlessly to problems. This leads to errors when students are confronted with unfamiliar problems. It also contributes to a widespread misperception of math as boring and lacking relevance to everyday life. 

On the other hand, attempting to remedy this problem by giving students open-ended problems has its own drawbacks. Without the conceptual and methodological tools to solve these problems students become frustrated and disengaged. It can end up being an inefficient way to spend class time.  

Although learning fundamental math skills like algorithms for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing is absolutely critical for students in the early grades, the deeper mathematical problem-solving skills are the ones we really want students to graduate with. How can we ensure they do?

The deeper mathematical problem-solving skills are the ones we really want students to graduate with.

Evidence suggests that skills in mathematical problem-solving lead to more general improvements in outcomes related to math. They help students acquire a deeper understanding of mathematical reasoning and concepts. 

For instance, the commutative property, which most students learn applies to addition and multiplication problems (changing the order of the operations doesn’t affect the outcome), also applies to other logical and practical situations. A familiarity with some of these situations fosters deeper conceptual understanding, and deeper conceptual understanding leads to better critical thinking.

And learning these skills helps students improve outcomes related to critical thinking more generally. For example, students who become skilled in mathematical problem-solving tend to also:

• Create beneficial habits of mind — persistence, thoroughness, creativity in solution-finding, and improved self-monitoring.
• Break down hard problems into easier parts or reframing problems so that they can think about them more clearly. 
• Some problem solving tactics are applicable to situations well beyond math: making a visualization of a situation to understand it more clearly; creating a simplified version of the problem to more easily address the essence of the problem; creating branches of possibilities to solve the problem; creating “what if” example cases to test key assumptions, etc.
• Elevate the value of discussion and argumentation over simple appeals to authority.

Small-group mathematical problem solving targets skills that traditional mathematics instruction doesn’t. Instead of just finding a match between an algorithm and a question, students must: adapt or create an algorithm; evaluate and debate the merits of different solution paths; and verify their solution through additional evidence.

Small-group mathematical problem solving targets skills that traditional mathematics instruction doesn’t.

This process continues until the class has thoroughly explored the problem space, revealing multiple solution paths and exploring variations on the problem or contrasting problem-types.

Of course, the usefulness of a question like this depends on what students already know. If students don’t already know that chickens have two legs and pigs have four, they’re just going to be confused by the problem (and the explanation of the solution). It also requires some other basic skills—for instance, that if one chicken has two legs, four chickens would have eight.

As a way of evaluating student growth, teachers could also include some of these open-ended problems in homework assignments or as extra credit assignments.

Lesson Plan Outline

An example that might be appropriate for fifth grade is something like the following: A farmer has some pigs and some chickens. He finds that together they have 70 heads and 200 legs. How many pigs and how many chickens does he have? Divide the class into student groups of three to four. Have students spend a few minutes reading over the problem individually. Then let student groups discuss possible solution paths. The teacher walks around the classroom, monitoring the groups. Then the teacher leads a whole-class discussion about the problem.

• So how did you go about thinking about the problem?
• Show us how you got your answer and why you think it’s right. This might mean that a student goes up to the board to illustrate something if a verbal explanation is inadequate.
• And what was the answer you got?
• Does anyone else have a different way of thinking about the problem? If there are other ways of solving the problem that students didn’t come up with, teachers can introduce these other ways themselves.

Developing Math Problem-Solving Skills

Teachers should keep in mind the following as they bring mathematical problem-solving activities into their classrooms:

• Problem selection . Teachers have to select grade-appropriate problems. A question like “John is taller than Mary. Mary is taller than Peter. Who is the shortest of the three children?” may be considered an exercise to older students — that is, a question where the solutions steps are already known — but a genuine problem to younger students. It’s also helpful when problems can be extended in various ways. Adding variation and complexity to a problem lets students explore a class of related problems in greater depth.
• Managing student expectations . Introducing open-ended math problems to students who haven’t experienced them before can also be confusing for the students. Students who are used to applying algorithms to problems can be confused about what teachers expect them to do with open-ended problems, because no algorithm is available.
• Asking why . Asking students to explain the rationale behind their answer is critical to improving their thinking. Teachers need to make clear that these rationales or justifications are even more important than the answer itself. These justifications give us confidence that an answer is right. That is, if the student can’t justify her answer, it almost doesn’t matter if it’s correct, because there’s no way of verifying it.

II. Mathematical Modeling

Another approach is mathematical modeling. Usually used for students in middle or high school, mathematical modeling brings math tools to bear on real-world problems, keeping students engaged and helping them to develop deeper mathematical reasoning and critical thinking skills.

Math modeling is an extremely common practice in the professional world. Investors model returns and the effects of various events on the market; business owners model revenue and expenses, buying behavior, and more; ecologists model population growth, rainfall, water levels, and soil composition, among many other things. 

But, despite these many applications and the contributions it can make to general mathematical reasoning and critical thinking skills, mathematical modeling is rarely a main component of the math curriculum. Although textbook examples occasionally refer to real-world phenomena, the modeling process is not commonly practiced in the classroom.

Modeling involves engaging students in a big, messy real-world problem. The goals are for students to:

• refine their understanding of the situation by asking questions and making assumptions,
• leverage mathematical tools to solve the problem,
• make their own decisions about how to go about solving the problem,
• explain whether and how their methods and solutions make sense,
• and test or revise their solutions if necessary.

Mathematical modeling typically takes place over the course of several class sessions and involves working collaboratively with other students in small groups.

Modeling is not just about getting to a “right” answer — it’s about considering factors beyond mathematics as well.

Modeling also offers the opportunity to integrate other material across the curriculum and to “think mathematically” in several different contexts. Modeling is not just about getting to a “right” answer — it’s about considering factors beyond mathematics as well. For example, students deal with questions like:

• What is a “fair” split? 
• What level of risk should someone tolerate?
• What tradeoffs should a society make?

In others words, students come to see mathematics as the socially indispensable tool that it is, rather than an abstract (and sometimes frustrating) school subject.

Mathematical Modeling and Critical Thinking

Research suggests that the ability to solve abstractly framed academic math problems is not necessarily related to mathematical reasoning more broadly: that is, the ability to use math well in everyday life or to integrate mathematical thinking into one’s decision-making. Students may be able to follow procedures when given certain cues, but unable to reason about underlying concepts. 

It’s also very common to hear complaints from students about math — that either they aren’t “ math people ,” that math is irrelevant, or that math is simply boring.

Mathematical modeling is one approach to resolving both these problems. It asks students to move between the concreteness of real — or at least relatively realistic — situations and the abstraction of mathematical models. Well-chosen problems can engage student interest. And the practice emphasizes revision, step-by-step improvement, and tradeoffs over single solution paths and single right-or-wrong answers.

Mathematical modeling often begins with a general question, one that may initially seem only loosely related to mathematics:

• how to design an efficient elevator system, given certain constraints;
• what the best gas station is to visit in our local area;
• how to distinguish between two kinds of flies, given some data about their physical attributes.

Then, over the course of the modeling process, students develop more specific questions or cases, adding constraints or assumptions to simplify the problem. Along the way, students identify the important variables — what’s changing, and what’s not changing? Which variables are playing the biggest role in the desired outcomes?

Students with little experience in modeling can leap too quickly into looking for a generalized solution, before they have developed a feel for the problem. They may also need assistance in developing those specific cases. During this part of the process, it can be easiest to use well-defined values for some variables. These values may then become variables later on.

After students explore some simplifying cases, then they work on extensions of these cases to reach ever more general solutions.

A key part of this activity is letting students be creative — students will often come up with unusual or especially innovative solutions.

Throughout the modeling process, the teacher may need to point out missing assumptions or constraints, or offer other ways of reframing the problem. For any given modeling problem, some solutions are usually more obvious than others, which leads to common stages students may reach as they solve the problem. But a key part of this activity is letting students be creative — students will often come up with unusual or especially innovative solutions.

A sample problem, from the Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Mathematical Modeling Education is below:

This problem involves variables that aren’t necessarily immediately apparent to students. For instance, the size of the gas tank, and how much gas you fill up on per trip. As students manage this specific case, they can take other hypothetical scenarios to generalize their solution: if it’s 10 miles away, how cheap would the gas have to be to make it worth it? What about the time spent in the car — is there a value to put on that?

Many modeling problems can be arbitrarily extended in various directions. Instead of just considering the best gas station to go to for a single car, for instance, students can explore the behavior of a fleet of trucks on set routes or seasonal changes to gas prices.

It’s also possible to include shorter modeling activities, where students work together in pairs or small groups to extend a problem or interpret the meaning of a solution.

These kinds of modeling activities are not reserved solely for older students. One example of a modeling problem for students in elementary school might be something like: what should go in a lunchbox? Students can talk about what kinds of things are important to them for lunch, “mathematize” the problem by counting student preferences or coming up with an equation (e.g., lunch = sandwich + vegetable + dessert + drink); and even explore geometrically how to fit such items into a lunchbox of a certain size.

Teaching Mathematical Modeling: Further Key Factors

Mathematical modeling activities can be challenging for both teachers and students. 

Often, mathematical modeling activities stretch over several class periods. Fitting modeling activities in, especially if standardized tests are focused on mathematical content, can be challenging. One approach is to design modeling activities that support the overall content goals.

The teacher’s role during mathematical modeling is more like a facilitator than a lecturer. Mathematical modeling activities are considerably more open-ended than typical math activities, and require active organization, monitoring, and regrouping by the teacher. Deciding when to let students persevere on a problem for a bit longer and when to stop the class to provide additional guidance is a key skill that only comes with practice.

The teacher’s role during math modeling is more like a facilitator than a lecturer.

Students — especially students who have traditionally been successful in previous math classes — may also experience frustration when encountering modeling activities for the first time. Traditional math problems involve applying the right procedure to a well-defined problem. But expertise at this kind of mathematical reasoning differs markedly from tackling yet-to-be-defined problems with many possible solutions, each of which has tradeoffs and assumptions. Students might feel unprepared or even that they’re being treated unfairly.

Students also have to have some knowledge about the situation to reason mathematically about it. If the question is about elevators, for example, they need to know that elevators in tall buildings might go to different sets of floors; that elevators have a maximum capacity; that elevators occasionally break and need to be repaired. 

Finally, the mathematical question needs to be tailored to students’ experience and interests. Asking a group of students who don’t drive about how to efficiently purchase gas won’t garner student interest. Teachers should use their familiarity with their students to find and design compelling modeling projects. This is chance for both students and teachers to be creative. 

To download the PDF of the Teachers’ Guide

(please click here)

Sources and Resources

O’Connell, S. (2000). Introduction to Problem Solving: Strategies for The Elementary Classroom . Heinemann. A recent handbook for teachers with tips on how to implement small-group problem solving.

Youcubed.org , managed by Jo Boaler.  A community with lots of resources for small-group problem solving instruction.

Yackel, E., Cobb, P., & Wood, T. (1991). Small group interactions as a source of learning opportunities in second-grade mathematics . Journal for research in mathematics education , 390-408. Education research that illustrates how small-group problem solving leads to different kinds of learning opportunities than traditional instruction.

Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Mathematical Modeling Education , 2nd ed. (2019). Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications & Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.  An extensive guide for teaching mathematical modeling at all grade levels.

Hernández, M. L., Levy, R., Felton-Koestler, M. D., & Zbiek, R. M. (March/April 2017). Mathematical modeling in the high school curriculum . The variable , 2(2). A discussion of the advantages of mathematical modeling at the high school level.

Privacy Overview

Critical thinking definition

Critical thinking, as described by Oxford Languages, is the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement.

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Some even may view it as a backbone of modern thought.

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People turn up to various approaches in improving their critical thinking, like:

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Usage of critical thinking comes down not only to the outline of your paper, it also begs the question: How can we use critical thinking solving problems in our writing's topic?

Let's say, you have a Powerpoint on how critical thinking can reduce poverty in the United States. You'll primarily have to define critical thinking for the viewers, as well as use a lot of critical thinking questions and synonyms to get them to be familiar with your methods and start the thinking process behind it.

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