This study aims to describe the students’ mathematical connection
ability viewed from cognitive style and gender in class VIII E of this school. This
study was descriptive qualitative research. Subjects of this study were 12 students
consisting of 3 males and females of Field Independent students and 3 males of
Field Dependent students selected using purposive sampling technique. Data of
this study were collected by using a written test (GEFT test and mathematical
connection ability test), interviews and documentation. The data analysis
techniques used in this study were GEFT testing, data reduction, data
presentation, drawing conclusions and verification. Results of this study were
obtained (1) Field Independent-style student were able to recognize and use
correlation between ideas in mathematics, connect mathematical materials with
the previous ones and apply mathematics to everyday life; (2) Field Dependentstyle
male students are only able to apply mathematics to everyday life; (3) Field
Dependent-style female students are less able to recognize and use correlation
between ideas in mathematics, but they were able to connect mathematical
material with the previous ones and apply mathematics to everyday life.