Irreplaceable Roles Behind the Success of UTBK-SNBT at IPB University

The implementation of the Computer-Based Written Test (UTBK) of the National Selection Based Test (SNBT) at IPB University has been completed. It started on April 23 and ended on May 4, 2025. Behind the smooth implementation of the exam at IPB University, there are many teams with a variety of roles, both in front and behind the scenes. 

One of them is the information and communication technology (ICT) team, which from the beginning prepared the local server and computer configuration for the exam. This team also ensures that the devices used during the exam run smoothly without any problems.  

“Our strategy is to create a separate network for the UTBK exam and IPB community activities. The UTBK network uses a special cable line. We limit the connection to the local server only, so the computer will not be able to access the internet and other sites in accordance with the standards of the UTBK central committee, “said Dean Apriana Ramadhan, SKom, MKom, Coordinator of the UTBK-SNBT Committee of IPB University. 

Assistant in Digital Transformation, Institute for Information Management and Digital Transformation (LMITD) IPB University said, the process is routinely carried out in the morning. The server admin will unseal the exam question envelope which is taken from the central server, then downloaded to the IPB University local server. Then in the exam room, supervisors are required to carry out supervisor-specific authentication in the supervisor application. 

“The exam is divided into two sessions in a day and the authentication will vary according to the session. The authentication is managed centrally by the ICT coordinator. After that, the computer is ready and suitable for use by examinees,” Dean said. 

He added, the most important task of TIK IPB University is to ensure that all installation processes run smoothly. For this reason, one of the preparations made is by attending training related to the application that will be used by the ICT manager organized by the central committee of the National Selection of New Student Admissions (SNPMB) long before the exam. 

“So things related to the implementation of UTBK-SNBT at IPB University this year are all running in accordance with the direction of the central committee,” he said. 

Dean said, there were 30 people from the IPB University ICT committee deployed for the smooth running of the exam. IPB University provides as many as 900 computers spread across two campuses in several exam locations.  

“Basically, there are always new things in every UTBK implementation. The implementation of UTBK-SNBT 2025 is clearly different from last year, because the direction from the central committee is different from before. The system is always developed every year,” he concluded.

To support the smoothness and comfort of participants and exam companions, IPB University also prepared a number of facilities ranging from campus buses (Dramaga area), toilets, parking pockets, mosques and musala to health workers. 

Technical teams for a number of things were also deployed. Consisting of 7 electric, water and AC technicians, 10 mobile bus drivers, 2 electric car drivers, 14 security guards each spread across the exam location, 6 parking attendants, and 3 toilet cleaners. (*/Rz) (IAAS/NRA)