Which cognitive level would require a student to justify their reasoning on a complex issue?

Justifying reasoning on a complex issue engages a higher level of cognitive processing typically associated with critical thinking and analytical skills. This aligns with the cognitive level of evaluating, where students need to assess information, draw conclusions, and support those conclusions with evidence and reasoning.

At this level, learners are expected to not only analyze information but also weigh different perspectives or solutions and justify their choices. This is more demanding than merely understanding the material or recalling information, as it involves a deeper engagement with the subject matter. For instance, in evaluating, students might be asked to critique arguments, identify biases, or assess the validity of assumptions, which all require substantiation of their reasoning.

In contrast, understanding involves comprehending and making sense of information, while remembering is focused on recalling facts or basic concepts. Creating is the highest level of cognitive processing where students synthesize new ideas, but justifying reasoning specifically falls squarely within the evaluating stage.