Analysis of expert problem solving student’s behaviour in the context of the mathematical Kangaroo Contest

Abstract

We present results of a research aimed to analyse the strategies of students considered as expert problem solvers in the context of the competition Proves Cangur, with multi-choice answers and limited time to solve the test. Our aim is to understand better students’ strategies of resolution, the ways they use the options of answer, and how the limited time affects students’ strategies of resolution and confidence in their answers. The students solved two sets of problems, one in the same conditions of the competition and another one without such restrictions. A categorization is established for the degree of certainty in the answers. Important differences in the selection of strategies are not apparent when options of answer are or are not given. Significant differences have been observed in the percentage of success, that agrees with differences found in students’ levels of confidence when giving an answer.