The main problem is that the study of research competence does not lose its relevance nowadays, but on the contrary, requires special attention of teachers of secondary schools. The main subject of the study is teaching students research skills to the most effective methods of mastering key competencies. Objective: the role of research competence in the learning process of students. Methods: analysis, synthesis and comparative analysis are the main research methods. Results and their significance: as a result, the concept of "research competence" was studied. Various views on this idea are considered. In the last ten years, the program of socio-economic development of Kazakhstan has determined the main directions of the development of the system of education of students. The research has both theoretical and practical significance, since its results can be used in the development of programs and methods for the development of research competence in biology lessons.