Layered Test for Dream College

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Nurfadillah (18) equips herself with layered protection before attending the UTBK-SNMPTN at Halu Oleo University, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Sunday (5/7/2020). In the midst of a pandemic, more than 700,000 prospective students throughout Indonesia took the exam with multiple examinations.

Thousands of prospective students willingly travel across regions and fulfill layers of prerequisites while overcome with anxiety to get into their dream colleges. Participating in the state university entrance test during the Covid-19 pandemic feels like risking health for the sake of a better future.

At midday on Sunday (5/7/2020), 18-year-old Nurfadillah was sitting quietly in front of the examination room at Halu Oleo University’s (UHO) School of Agriculture in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi. The computer-based exam (UTBK) for the joint state university entrance test (SBMPTN) will start in two hours. She had arrived early to avoid missing the test.

Sitting on a chair physically distanced from other seats by 1.5 meters, the girl from North Kolaka had a clear plastic folder with various documents on her lap. On top of it, she was tightly holding a face shield that she had purchased online for Rp 45,000 (US$3.12).

She rechecked the documents, which included a graduation statement letter, an exam card and an ID card. She also had a travel permit from the Central Pakue village head in North Kolaka and a health certificate from a local community health center (Puskesmas).

She needed the travel permit as she had to travel between regions. She traveled for eight hours to Kendari on public transportation on Friday (3/7). The graduate of SMA I Pakue high school moved from one Covid-19 red zone to another. In Kendari, she stayed at her grandmother’s house near the exam location.

She also had her Covid-19 rapid test result, another requirement for taking the test.

“Even if I have all the other documents but I don’t have this one, I cannot take the test,” said the first born of two siblings, while showing the nonreactive result of her Covid-19 rapid test. “I took the rapid test yesterday. I arrived [at the testing site] at 8 a.m. and it was finished at 2:30 p.m.,” she said.

A nonreactive rapid test result is a main prerequisite for taking the test. Unsurprisingly, thousands of prospective college students flocked to UHO to take it. The rapid test is free of charge and prospective students who will take entrance tests soon are prioritized.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Situation of UTBK-SNMPTN at Halu Oleo University, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, on Sunday (7/7/2020). In the midst of a pandemic, more than 700,000 prospective students throughout Indonesia took the exam with strict health protocols.

Nurfadillah arrived when the queue was opened at 8:30 a.m. However, most of the people there did not adhere to health protocols. They elbowed one another as everyone tried to get ahead of the queue. Nurfadillah said that she chose to stay back and be delayed but safe.

It was only when the queue was organized that she rejoined the line. Even then, people stood so close to one another. “I was afraid, especially when I heard that a person tested reactive. However, I needed [the rapid test result] to go to college. We just follow the rules,” said the girl who dreams of being a teacher.

A UTBK prospective participant at UHO tested reactive during the rapid test and was immediately referred to Bahteramas Hospital for a swab test.

Ananda Aulia, 17, another prospective student, said that she was anxious for having to take the university entrance exam.. “I got here at 7 a.m. and the place was already packed. When I queued [for the rapid test], I was a little afraid,” said the girl from Kendari.

She had prepared herself for the test. Other than studying and praying, she also maintained her health and avoided getting sick. The first born of two siblings equipped herself with a face mask, liquid hand wash and gloves.

“When I get home from here, I will take a bath immediately, so that the virus does not stay on me. This is what it’s like, being a student in the year of the coronavirus. There are so many tests,” said Aulia, who picked the faculty of economy as her first choice. She said that she wanted to work in banking.

Layered

Other than prospective exam takers, exam supervisors and security officers are also required to adhere to layered health protocols. Security officer Ismunandar, 32, wears a mask while on duty. He also requires exam takers to wash their hands with soap and checks their temperature.

“This is protocol. Those without masks cannot enter the exam room. I am also afraid of catching the virus, especially when I get home and see my family,” he said. He also adheres to physical distancing rules and he immediately takes a shower when he gets home.

UHO School of Agriculture dean Marsuki Iswandi, the guarantor for the faculty’s exam location, said strict health protocols were imposed during the exam. Physical distancing in exam rooms and outdoors is a must. Rooms can only be filled at half capacity. All exam supervisors must wear a mask. The hope is to prevent everyone involved in the exam from exposure to Covid-19.

“We have made various considerations before holding the exam. The exam will take place for nine days,” he said. UHO SBMPTN committee data shows that 8,702 registrants will join in the exam that will be held from Sunday (5/7) to Monday (13/7). Two sessions of exam in 39 rooms are held every day. One room can only contain 10-25 prospective students.

Committee secretary La Ode Midi said that the exam would fill a quota of 30 percent of the 8,000 students that the university would accept. Previously, the university also held selection based on prospective students’ academic reports, the nationwide state university entrance test and independent tests. The exam consists only of a scholastic aptitude test that assesses basic skills in logic and analysis.

“Academic potential test is cancelled in line with directions from the central government. This includes today’s test, held under strict health protocols,” La Ode said.

Kompas/Bahana Patria Gupta

Participants in the Computer-Based Writing Examination (UTBK) - Joint Selection to Enter State Universities (SBMPTN) enter the examination room by maintaining distance between participants at Airlangga University, Surabaya, East Java, Sunday (5/7/2020).

University Entrance Test Body (LTMPT) data as of 2 July 2020 at 2 p.m. shows that there are 703,875 UTBK-SBMPTN participants nationwide, including 579,069 participants in the first phase and another 124,806 in the second phase.

LTMPT head M Nasih said that strict health protocols were imposed on all UTBK phases. All rooms and computers are disinfected a day before tests are held and also between test sessions. This is to ensure smoothness in UTBK and to prevent Covid-19 spread.