As many as 20,849 participants took the State University National Selection 2010 test for Yogyakarta region held for two days from 16-17 June 2010 at three locations: Universitas Gadjah Mada (Natural Sciences test group), Yogyakarta State University (Social Sciences test group), and Sunan Kalijaga Islamic State University of Yogyakarta (Mix of both sciences group). Some 7,459 participants did the test in Natural Science group, 9,845 (Social Sciences) and 3,545 (mix).
In general, the number of participants of the test this year increased significantly compared to that of last year. In 2009, there were 5,499 participants, consisting of 6,012 examinees of Natural Sciences group, 7,169 (Social Sciences), and 2,318 (mix).
According to Yogyakarta Committee Chairman for Natural Sciences, Dr. Budi Prasetyo Widyobroto, D.E.A., D.E.S.S., online registration seems to be influential in increasing the number of participants as it makes registration easier and the access is wider than the manual method.
He said that the committee expanded the utilization of information and communication technology (ICT) as part of the educational process. The online method educates the community to have “self –declare” habit; it saves money and is more effective. "The increase is about 30%. In terms of service, the online method is effective. This method can prevent manipulation, and it is good to reform bureaucracy in public services," he said on Wednesday (16/6) after monitoring the implementation of the national test in Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM.
Meanwhile, UGM Senior Vice Rector of Academic, Research and Community Services, Prof. Dr. Retno S. Sudibyo, M.Sc., Apt., said that despite the increase from previous years, the quota for UGM student candidates through this test is only 700-800 seats, or 11.26 percent of a total of 7100 seats. Other candidates should take either the Excellent Talent Scouting or Written Test (60%) or other methods. "Last year, we only accepted about 300 students through the national test, so, the increase this year is quite significant," said Retno S. Sudibyo. The increase is caused by several factors, such as the Government’s request through the Ministry of National Education. "We also assessed the quality of questions in this test is more appropriate with UGM standard," she added.
Related to the test material, Retno explained that the Committee starting this year has involved UGM, some of the test was even prepared by UGM. Still, she was reluctant to mention the amount of test material from UGM. "I can not say. It is the committee’s confidential data. UGM and I do not know anything about the matter," she admitted.
Test monitoring was conducted at several locations. Vice Rectors, Deans, and the Heads of Units from four universities (UGM, UNY, Sunan Kalijaga Islamic State University, and Diponegoro University) visited Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM where they witnessed participant Dwija Paramastya S., test number 110-46-011205051, had to take the test in bed because he jad just an operation due to an accident.
The monitoring was continued to the Faculty of Economics and Business UGM at room U.284. The group saw Adyasti Andika Sari, test number 110-46-011402004 , in a special room. who needs to make use of crutches due to her unfit health condition. Furthermore, the monitoring was continued to Faculty of Natural Sciences, Yogyakarta State University, and Sunan Kalijaga Islamic State University of Yogyakarta