Ilkogretim Online - Elementary Education Online, 2021; 20 (1): pp. 302-317 http://ilkogretim-online.org doi: 10.17051/ilkonline.2021.01.029 The Correlation between Critical Thinking Skills and Cognitive Learning Outcomes Hasan Tuaputty, Pattimura-University, Indonesia, tuaputtyhasan@gmail.com, ORCID: 0000-0002-0556-5102 Marleny Leasa, Pattimura University, Indonesia, marlenyleasa3@gmail.com, ORCID: 0000-0003-0718-3447 Aloysius Duran Corebima, University of Kanjuruhan Malang, Indonesia, durancorebima@gmail.com, ORCID: 0000- 0002-2632-9467 John Rafafy Batlolona, Pattimura University, Indonesia, johanbatlolona@gmail.com, ORCID: 0000-0003-3447-7432 Abstract. This correlational research aims to reveal the contribution of critical thinking skills (CTS) toward cognitive learning outcomes (CLO) on the learning using NHT and metacognitive strategies, and to reveal the differences in regression equations between the two learning models. The results revealed that there was a correlation between CTS and CLO in both the NHT and metacognitive strategies. The biggest contribution of CTS toward the students’ CLO was found in the NHT + metacognitive strategy learning model, which was 71.4%, and the regression equation of the learning model was Y = 21.66 + 0.72 X. The results of Anova show the significance value of b1, b2 was 0.009 (p <0.05) and the significance value of b1, b2, b3 was 0,000 (p <0.05). Thus, the rate and magnitude of the student CLO as an effect of the CTS are different from each other. These results prove the NHT learning model and metacognitive strategy is more effective in empowering CTS and CLO. Keywords: Critical thinking skills, cognitive learning results, NHT learning model, metacognitive strategy Received: 15.05.2020 Accepted: 29.08.2020 Published: 15.01.2021 INTRODUCTION Cognitive learning outcomes is the level of specific academic ability gained based on standard test results through a series of test results. The information is then decided whether the students experience graduation, failure, and rank and grade levels that will then be useful in entering the next level of education or to apply for a job (Mathew, 2017). The cognitive learning outcomes (CLO) refer to the intellectual skills possessed by a person. The achievement of CLO cannot be separated from students’ affective and psychomotor abilities. This is because learning behavior is related to cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. High CLO can provide opportunities for students to develop their affective and psychomotor domains (Galloway & Bretz, 2015). Information about students' CLO is beneficial for the students themselves as well as for the teachers. The students can use the information to know their learning progress, to know the concepts or materials that have not been mastered, as a source of self-motivation to learn better, and to improve the way, style, or learning strategy. For teachers, the information is beneficial to encourage them to teach better, to help determine a more appropriate learning strategy/model for the classroom learning, and to encourage schools to provide better learning facilities. On the other hand, the information on the achievement of students’ CLO is needed to examine the various factors that are thought to influence the learning outcomes, one of which is the students’ critical thinking skills (Shirazi & Heidari, 2019; Karbalaei, 2012). Critical thinking skills (CTS) are an active and organized cognitive process which is done to understand ourselves and to familiarize us with what is happening around by being aware of our own thinking process, as well as considering the thinking processes of others and applying what we already have (Danczak, Thompson, & Overton, 2020). Thus, critical thinking requires a high level of abstract and logical thinking and a commitment or habit of thinking to meet the standards and principles of good critical thinking. Such skills are defined as reflective and reasoned ways of thinking that are focused on deciding what the individuals believe and can do (van Peppen et al., 2018). Delphi’s consensus involving various experts managed to discuss