The UGM’s Independent Admission Test (UM-CBT) this year commenced on June 21, 2023, and ended on July 8, 2023. The exams were held in Pekanbaru, Balikpapan, Medan, Makassar, Yogyakarta, and Jakarta.
Vice-Rector for Education and Learning, Professor Wening Udasmoro, assured that the overall implementation of UM-CBT this year proceeded smoothly. Additionally, there were no indications of cheating during the exams.
“UGM has conducted various testing pathways, and UM-CBT is the final exam session for admission to UGM,” she explained during the inspection at several test locations within the UGM campus on Saturday (1/7).
Professor Udasmoro explained that the 2023 UM-CBT was joined by a total of 39,533 participants, divided into three exam groups: 25,192 participants in the science and technology group, 13,225 in the social sciences and humanities group, and 1,116 in the mixed fields group.
The test series began in Pekanbaru and Balikpapan on June 21-23, 2023, and continued in Medan on June 22-24, 2023, and Makassar on June 23-25, 2023. After these cities, the tests were held in Yogyakarta on July 1-8, 2023, and Jakarta on July 3-8, 2023.
According to the exam locations, out of the 39,533 applicants, 30,791 participants took the exams in Yogyakarta, 5,507 participants in Jakarta, 1,200 participants in Pekanbaru, 1,195 participants in Medan, 371 participants in Balikpapan, and 470 participants in Makassar.
Furthermore, Professor Udasmoro conveyed that UM-CBT in Yogyakarta was conducted at 23 locations, utilizing 95 classrooms within the UGM Yogyakarta campus. Meanwhile, the exams in UGM Jakarta used 11 classrooms.
“There are 12 participants with disabilities taking the UM-CBT in Yogyakarta and one participant with disabilities in Jakarta. We have provided them with facilities to ease access, process, and exam administration,” she stated.
These 13 participants with disabilities include one person with visual impairment, one with low vision, five with physical disabilities, and six with hard of hearing.
Participants with disabilities received assistance from UGM, such as screen readers and interpreters for those with visual impairment and low vision. Accessible facilities and rooms were also provided for those with physical disabilities.
“UGM facilitates the needs of participants with disabilities according to their specific requirements,” added Director of Education and Teaching, Professor Gandes Retno Rahayu, MD.
Professor Rahayu mentioned that UGM has implemented unique mechanisms to prevent cheating during the exams, such as managing the exam questions specific to each location. The system randomizes the questions while ensuring the equivalent difficulty level across regions.
Moreover, they conducted special checks on the participants at the entrance. These checks include using metal detectors, verifying participants’ identities, and cross-checking registration data with electronic files.
“This morning, there was a suspicion regarding one participant using a hearing aid while not registered as someone with hard of hearing. We verified the situation and discovered that the participant had a hearing impairment. However, we made sure that the device was only used during long announcements and not during the exam,” she explained.
UM-CBT consists of three exam groups. The exam subjects for the science and technology group include academic abilities in science and technology (physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, natural sciences), general abilities (basic mathematics, English, and Indonesian), and academic potential tests.
The social sciences group consists of academic abilities in social sciences (history, geography, economics, sociology), general abilities (basic mathematics, English, and Indonesian), and academic potential tests.
The mixed group includes academic abilities in science and technology (physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, natural sciences), general abilities (basic mathematics, English, and Indonesian), academic abilities in social sciences (history, geography, economics, sociology), and academic potential tests.
This year’s results will be announced on July 13, 2023. Approximately 3,392 candidates, or 40% of the total admission quota, will be accepted through this pathway. This aligns with the applicable Rector’s Decree, which allocates 30% for SNBP, 30% for SNBT, and 40% for UM-CBT.
Author: Ika
Photographer: Firsto