Problem solving ability is one of the necessary abilities of students in studying physics. Therefore, these capabilities need to be taught to students in a variety of topics. This study aims to explore the students’ problem solving ability on heat and temperature through cognitive apprenticeship learning. Subjects in this study were 19 students of class C2 XMIPA SMAN 9 Malang academic year 2015/2016. The research method used was embedded mixed-method experimental models. The results showed: (1) The students’ problem solving ability has increased significantly with the average N-Gain score of 0.53 (medium category), and the value of the effect size was -2.57 (very strong category); (2) The students’ problem solving ability in general have a positive change in phase useful description, physics approach, mathematical procedures, and logical progression.