ANALISIS KEMAMPUAN KOMUNIKASI MATEMATIS SISWA DALAM PENYELESAIAN SOAL HOTS MATERI BARISAN DAN DERET ARITMATIKA DITINJAU DARI GENDER

This study aims to describe students' mathematical communication skills in solving Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) problems on the topic of arithmetic sequences and series, viewed from a gender perspective. The research was conducted at SMK Muhammadiyah Lebaksiu using a descriptive qualitative approach, involving six tenth-grade students selected through purposive sampling, representing three levels of mathematical ability (high, medium, low) and both genders. Data were collected through written HOTS-based tests and semi-structured interviews. The results showed that students in the high-ability category (both male and female) demonstrated good communication skills, while female students outperformed their male counterparts in explaining steps and attention to detail in the medium and low categories. Interviews supported the written test results and revealed differences in communication styles between genders, with male students tending to go straight to the solution and female students providing more detailed explanations. The study concludes that mathematical communication skills are influenced by both gender and students’ ability level, and it recommends adaptive and inclusive learning strategies to improve numeracy literacy at the vocational school level.