eng Science and Education Publishing American Journal of Educational Research 2327-6150 2017-06-20 5 6 639 644 10.12691/education-5-6-8 EDUCATION2017568 article Yuna Sutria yuna.sutria@yahoo.co.id 1 S Sahyar 1 D Derlina 1 Post Graduate, State University of Medan, Medan, Indonesia This research aims to ; Analyzing the gain of high conceptual knowledge and critical thinking ability of students by using problem based learning model and conventional learning, Analyzes whether the gain of high conceptual knowledge and critical thinking ability of students that are taught by model learning problem based learning is better than students who are taught by conventional learning. This research is a quasi experiment research with two class pretest-posttest design. The research population is all students of class X MAN 3 Medan semester II academic year 2016/2017. The population for this research are 11 classes. The sample in this research was taken by two random classes consist of 80 students. Class X MIA-3 as an experiment class taught by problem based learning model assisted visual media consist of 40 students, Class X MIA-4 as a control class taught by conventional learning consist of 40 students. The instrument of this research used essay test for high conceptual knowledge and critical thinking ability that has been validated. The resulting data were analyzed using statistic t test. The results showed that: The gain average in the high conceptual knowledge of students taught by the problem based learning model assisted visual media is in high category and using conventional learning is in medium category. The gain average of critical thinking ability students using model problem based learning model assisted visual media is in the high category and using conventional learning is in medium category. The gain average of high conceptual knowledge of students taught by problem based learning model assisted visual media is better than taught by conventional learning. The gain average of critical thinking ability of students taught by problem based learning model assisted visual media is better than taught by conventional learning. http://pubs.sciepub.com/education/5/6/8/education-5-6-8.pdf problem based learning model high conceptual knowledge critical thinking ability visual media