A comparision of the mathematics questions used in University entrance exam (ÖSS) and high schools in terms of Bloom's taxonomy

SUMMARY A comparision of the mathematics questions used in University Entrance Exam (ÖSS) and high schools in terms of Bloom's Taxonomy The aim of this study is to analyze the mathematics questions in the university entrance examinations and mathematics questions asked in exams in different type of high schools in terms of the levels of cognitive domain of Bloom's Taxonomy. In the study, document analysis method was used. 290 mathematics questions which had been asked in ÖSS carried out between 1995 and 2004 and 2300 mathematics exam questions which had been asked at Lycee 1, Lycee 2 and Lycee 3 in five different types of six high schools in Trabzon were collected. These questions were analyzed in terms of the criterions prepared by taking into consideration of the levels of cognitive domain of Bloom's Taxonomy Results showed that although mathematics exam questions which had been asked in Public High Schools (PHS), Technical and Multi Program High School (TMPHS) and Vocational and Commercial High School (VCHS) were generally at the comprehension level, those in Anatolian High Schools (AHS) and Science High School (SHS) were generally at the application and analysis level. Similar to AHS and SHS, mathematics questions in the university entrance exams were generally at the application level. From the comparison of the levels of mathematics questions asked in university entrance exams and exams in different type of high schools, it was concluded that although the levels of the questions asked in PHS, TMPHS and VCHS were inconsistent with those in the university entrance exams, the levels of the questions asked in AHS and SHS were consistent with those in the university entrance exams. It is believed that asking students questions at higher cognitive levels will make them get the ability of analyzing and evaluating skills. Key Words: Bloom's Taxonomy, Mathematics Exam Questions, The University Entrance Exam vm