FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Self-examination and self-evaluation are examples of what kind of thinking?

1. Critical thinking

2. Reflective thinking

3. Metacognitive thinking

4. Analytical thinking

The correct answer is: Metacognitive thinking

Self-examination and self-evaluation fall under the category of metacognitive thinking. Metacognitive thinking involves being aware of one’s own thought processes and understanding how to regulate them to enhance learning and problem-solving. This includes reflecting on what one knows, how one learns, and strategizing for improvement based on this self-awareness. In the context of self-examination, individuals analyze their own thoughts, behaviors, and motivations, which helps them assess their strengths and weaknesses. Self-evaluation is the process of assessing one’s own performance or understanding in various tasks or subjects. Both practices require a conscious reflection on one’s cognitive activities, which is a core component of metacognition. While critical thinking, reflective thinking, and analytical thinking share some similarities with metacognitive thinking, they focus more on evaluating information or processes externally, rather than on the internal strategies and understanding of one’s own thinking processes. Thus, metacognitive thinking stands out as the most appropriate categorization for self-examination and self-evaluation.