Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

By the end, you can break a problem into parts, check sources, weigh options and explain a decision with evidence.

Job-ready skillAbout 25 hours3 stagesFree

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Lessons play here, from free YouTube courses.

Critical thinking is checking information before you believe it and solving problems step by step instead of guessing. Employers rank it among the most wanted skills, and it protects you from scams and fake news.

Turn on JavaScript to track your progress. The lessons are:FoundationsLearn how to question information and spot weak arguments.Task: Find a viral claim on social media. Check it with three reliable sources and write whether it is true, false or misleading, and how you know.Core skillsUse problem-solving tools: root cause, options and decisions.Task: Pick a real problem (at home, school or work). Use the '5 Whys' to find the root cause, list three options with pros and cons, and choose one.Applied practiceApply it at work.Task: Write a one-page recommendation to a manager about a real problem: the problem, evidence, options, your recommendation and the risk.

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What competent looks like

Checks sources before sharing
Separates facts from opinions
Finds root causes, not only symptoms
Compares options fairly
Explains decisions with evidence

The South African route

There is no formal licence. Prove it with examples in interviews (use the STAR method) and with written recommendations you have made.

Free resources

Critical thinking courses (free)
OpenLearn

These links go to free courses and sites run by other organisations. We chose them in October 2026 but do not run them, so check costs, dates and entry requirements on their site. Broken link? Tell us.

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