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Exploring the Influence of Gender and ProblemSolving Skills on Mathematical Achievement of Secondary School Students


Authors : Dr. Sita Devi; Gian Singh

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 3 - March


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/y5acafa8

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/2s3drxch

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26mar1374

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : Problem solving ability plays a central role in determining learner’s success in mathematics by promoting conceptual understanding. The present study explores the influence gender and problem-solving ability on mathematical achievement of secondary school students. To achieve the objectives of the present study, a survey technique under descriptive method of research was adopted. Total sample of 1518 grade 9 th school students were selected from different districts of Himachal Pradesh by employing a random sampling technique from different schools affiliated with Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education, Dharamshala. For measuring the student’s problem-solving skills and Mathematics Achievement, Problem-solving ability Test and Mathematics Achievement Test were used. Statistically data was analysed by employing Analysis of variance (Two Way ) for 2x3 factorial design of the study i.e. two types of gender and three level of problem solving ability ( i.e. high, moderate and low). Major findings of the study revealed that gender has a significant main effect on mathematical achievement of secondary school students. Further findings identified that problem solving ability has significantly influenced the mathematical achievement of students at secondary stage. In addition to this, results also indicated that gender and problem solving ability (in combination with each other) did not significantly affect the maths achievement of secondary school students.

Keywords : Gender, Mathematical Achievement, and Problem-Solving Skills and Secondary Level.

References :

  1. Abdullah, M., & Hamoud, M. (2025). The effect of mathematical puzzles on students’ problem-solving ability and mathematics achievement. Education Research International, 2025, 1–9.
  2. Ahmed, W., Minnaert, A., Kuyper, H., & Van der Werf, G. (2021). Reciprocal relationships between mathematics achievement and problem solving ability among secondary school students. Educational Psychology Review, 33(2), 673–694. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-020-09540-8.
  3. Bloom, B. S. (1956). Taxonomy of educational objectives: The classification of educational goals. Longmans, Green.
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  5. Hooda, Madhuri (2018). Effect of Problem Solving Ability on Mathematics Achievement among Secondary School Students: An Empirical Study. Research  Review International Journal of Multidisciplinary, 3(8), 653-658.
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  10. Putri, C. V., &Miatun, A. (2023). Mathematical problem-solving ability and mathematics achievement among high school students. Prisma Sains, 11(1), 55–63.
  11. Schoenfeld, A. H. (1985). Mathematical problem solving. Academic Press.
  12. Suparman, Juandi, D., & Herman, T. (2021). Students’ emotions in mathematical problem solving and their influence on mathematics achievement. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1806, 012067.
  13. Szczygieł, M. (2020). When does mathematics anxiety predict mathematics achievement? Educational Psychology, 40(2), 1–18.
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Problem solving ability plays a central role in determining learner’s success in mathematics by promoting conceptual understanding. The present study explores the influence gender and problem-solving ability on mathematical achievement of secondary school students. To achieve the objectives of the present study, a survey technique under descriptive method of research was adopted. Total sample of 1518 grade 9 th school students were selected from different districts of Himachal Pradesh by employing a random sampling technique from different schools affiliated with Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education, Dharamshala. For measuring the student’s problem-solving skills and Mathematics Achievement, Problem-solving ability Test and Mathematics Achievement Test were used. Statistically data was analysed by employing Analysis of variance (Two Way ) for 2x3 factorial design of the study i.e. two types of gender and three level of problem solving ability ( i.e. high, moderate and low). Major findings of the study revealed that gender has a significant main effect on mathematical achievement of secondary school students. Further findings identified that problem solving ability has significantly influenced the mathematical achievement of students at secondary stage. In addition to this, results also indicated that gender and problem solving ability (in combination with each other) did not significantly affect the maths achievement of secondary school students.

Keywords : Gender, Mathematical Achievement, and Problem-Solving Skills and Secondary Level.

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - March - 2026

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