Development of a Mathematical Reasoning Test for Prospective Mathematics Teachers

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a mathematical reasoning test that is valid, reliable, possesses good discriminating power, and has an appropriate level of item difficulty for assessing the mathematical reasoning ability of prospective mathematics teachers. A descriptive quantitative method was employed to examine the characteristics of nine test items in terms of validity, reliability, discriminating power, and item difficulty. The participants were 21 fourth-year students from Semarang State University. The findings indicated that all test items met the validity criteria, with a reliability coefficient of 0.75, which is classified as high. In terms of discriminating power, six items were categorized as good, while three items were classified as satisfactory. Regarding item difficulty, seven items were categorized as easy and two as moderate. Overall, the developed mathematical reasoning test is suitable for assessing the mathematical reasoning ability of prospective mathematics teachers, as it satisfies the criteria of validity, reliability, and good discriminating power. This study is expected to serve as a reference for the development of mathematical reasoning assessment instruments in higher education. Nevertheless, further research is recommended to refine the distribution of item difficulty, thereby producing an instrument with a more balanced and varied range of difficulty levels.