The UM UGM CBT was conducted in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) for the first time. Located in Kupang, the 2024 UGM entrance test was attended by 76 high school and vocational high school graduates from across NTT on Tuesday (May 28) at the Nusantara Hall of the Educational Quality Assurance Center (BPMP) of East Nusa Tenggara Province.
Out of the 76 participants, 50 took the UM UGM CBT in the science and technology group and 26 in the social science and humanities group. The test in Kupang resulted from the collaboration between UGM and UGM Alumni (Kagama) in NTT.
As part of the local committee, they introduced the UM UGM CBT in NTT to high school and vocational high school principals, teacher representatives, and students in the area on March 20, 2024, at SMA Negeri 3 Kupang. The event was broadcast live on Facebook.
Professor Gandes Retno Rahayu, Director of Education and Teaching at UGM, stated that UGM implemented UM UGM CBT in Kupang as a policy to facilitate prospective students in East Nusa Tenggara’s taking the test.
“We want to reach prospective students all over Indonesia so they can take the UGM selection test without distance barriers. We get closer to them so that the test can be accessed by local youths in Kupang and surrounding areas,” she said.
Professor Rahayu explained that besides geographical proximity, holding tests in several regions manifests UGM’s commitment to providing the broadest possible access to education for all children of the nation from all corners of Indonesia.
To support the implementation of the exam, the local committee prepared a clean and comfortable building with complete facilities. These facilities include air conditioning, LCD, sound system, standard chairs and tables, and optimal internet connectivity.
The local committee also implemented strict security measures during the test to prevent potential cheating. One strategy applied was checking each participant’s entry with a metal detector and thoroughly verifying their identity and other required documents to ensure the security and validity of the participants.
“We ensure the smooth implementation of this exam. The campaign we carried out through various platforms and the security measures we applied are our efforts to provide the best service to participants and ensure the integrity of the exam,” said Robert Fanggidae, Chair of the UM UGM CBT Test Committee in NTT.
With the various efforts made by the UM UGM CBT Test Committee in NTT, the selection process will likely run smoothly. It is also expected to provide a fair opportunity for all participants to measure their academic potential.
Natania Kalista, one of the participants from SMA Negeri 3 Kupang, shared her experience of taking the test. She hoped that the UM UGM test next year would be scheduled not too close to the UTBK. She reasoned that the available study time was quite short, only a few weeks, which was inadequate for preparation for facing the UM UGM.
“I feel relieved after taking the UGM entrance exam. It feels like there’s no more burden to study and no more thinking about the exam questions,” she expressed.
Author: Alvi Hidayati Aziza
Editor: B. Diah Listianingsih