One thousand two hundred fifteen participants took the Medan UGM Computer Based Test (CBT) Entrance Exam from May 31–June 1, 2024. The two-day test was held at the Raja Inal Siregar Hall, North Sumatra Governor’s Office Complex in Medan.
According to the UGM Director of Education and Teaching, Professor Gandes Retno Rahayu, the UGM CBT in Medan aims to make it convenient for prospective students in North Sumatra to take the entrance exam. Of the 1,215 participants, 804 took exams in science and technology, and 411 took social sciences and humanities.
“We want to reach prospective students across Indonesia so they can take the UGM selection test without distance barriers. Therefore, we bring the test closer to the local students in Medan and surrounding areas,” Director Rahayu said.
Director Rahayu explained that, in addition to geographical proximity, holding the test in various regions demonstrates UGM’s openness to providing broad access to education for all children across Indonesia. Data from the five areas with the most participants show that 505 people came from Medan.
Additionally, participants came from Deli Serdang Regency (98), Pematang Siantar City (58), Karo Regency (35), Samosir Regency (32), and the remaining participants came from other districts in Medan.
Dr. Medi, in charge of the UGM Medan test, explained that Medan is one of the CBT test locations outside Java. Other locations include Pekanbaru, Balikpapan, Kupang, and Makassar.
“The implementation of the UGM CBT in these regions is conducted in collaboration with local UGM Alumni Families (Kagama),” said Dr. Medi.
Raja Inal Siregar Hall was chosen as the test location due to its large capacity. It can accommodate 500 participants and has been a regular venue for UGM CBT activities in North Sumatra for years.
“In addition to working with local Kagama, the test is also supported by a good partnership with the Provincial Government of North Sumatra,” he added.
Participants took the general basic skills test, which includes basic mathematics, Indonesian language, and English, followed by the general basic skills potential test. Depending on their test group, participants also took the academic skills test in mathematics, physics, and chemistry for the science and technology group and the academic skills test in economics, sociology, and history for the social sciences and humanities group.
Dr. Medi added that the supervision of UGM CBT participants is conducted strictly according to established procedures. Security measures include securing equipment, documents, and participants.
“The Governor’s Office Security Team has a special room sealed and guarded to secure the equipment. All committee members, supervisors, room technicians, and network technicians must wear identification cards. Participants are screened with metal detectors and monitored by CCTV,” Dr. Medi explained.
Participants were not allowed to bring bags, watches, or mobile phones for the test and could only bring writing tools. The test was conducted online using tablets provided by the committee.
Keisha Simatupang, a UGM CBT participant from SMA Negeri 1 Medan, found the Medan test helpful as she did not have to travel to Yogyakarta.
“It was very helpful. The network for the test was also excellent, with no lag. I hope to be accepted into the International Relations program as my first choice and the Communication Science program as my second choice. I hope to be accepted, even though the exam questions were difficult to answer,” Simatupang said.
Frans Vasqualito Purba, a UGM CBT participant from SMA Santo Thomas 2 Medan, echoed similar sentiments. He appreciated the Medan test location’s proximity and found the facilities very supportive.
“The facilities provided were adequate for taking the exams,” Purba said.
Purba hopes to be accepted into the Civil Engineering program as his first choice and Architecture as his second choice. He is hopeful because he managed to answer the questions.
“The questions were manageable, although there were some materials I might not fully understand, but I could still work on them,” he said.
Author: B. Diah Listianingsih