Abstract
This study aimed to investigating the effect of problem-based learning with char-acter emphasis toward the students’ higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) and characters. This study an experimental research using the single factor independ-ent group design which conducted on secondary school in Mataram - Indonesia. The treatment was given to three independent randomly selected groups, namely Problem-Based Learning with Character Emphasis (PBL-CE), Problem Based-Learning (PBL), and Regular Learning (RL). The data of the students’ HOTS were collected through essay tests and the data of the students’ characters were collected through self-assessment sheets, and analyzed using MANOVA. The results showed that the highest mean score for HOTS was found in the PBL-CE group, its was significantly different with RL group, and not significantly differ-ent with PBL group. Meanwhile, for the average score of student characters, the PBL-CE group scored higher and was significantly different from the other two groups (PBL and RL). The generalization of the study results has shown that there is an effect of problem-based learning with character emphasis on students' higher order thinking skills and character.