2026 Academic Ability Test Results Released as Primary and Junior High Students’ Maths Scores Plummet
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education officially released the 2026 Academic Ability Test (TKA) results for primary (SD/MI) and junior high (SMP/MTs) levels on Monday, 26 May 2026. National results show mathematics scores remain lower than Indonesian language scores at both education levels.
According to data from the Basic and Secondary Education Policy Agency (BKPDM), primary school students’ average Indonesian language score was 60.14, compared to 43.41 for mathematics. At the junior high level, Indonesian averaged 60.83 and mathematics 40.34.
BKPDM Chief Toni Toharudin stated that the TKA results highlight the need to strengthen students’ reasoning, mathematical logic, and problem-solving abilities in daily teaching.
“This is a shared concern that logical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and problem-solving must be continuously reinforced in daily learning,” Toharudin said in a written statement on Monday, 26 May 2026.
The Ministry recorded a 98.12% participation rate for the main TKA schedule. Out of 8,875,362 registered students, 8,708,891 took the assessment as scheduled. An additional 463,533 students participated in the rescheduled session from 490,551 registered candidates.
Toharudin said the TKA generates national education big data that can be mapped down to provincial, district/city, school, and student competency levels. He added this data will form the basis for more precise, ground-level education policies.
“This quality mapping serves as the foundation for data-driven, precise education policies,” he stated.
Education Assessment Centre Head Rahmawati noted the high TKA participation reflects growing awareness among schools, parents, and students about the importance of educational assessments.
The TKA uses a classic scoring system ranging from 0-100, with all questions undergoing statistical verification and validation before results are released.
In addition to numerical scores, TKA results include achievement categories and student competency descriptions. Rahmawati explained this approach aims to make TKA a learning reflection tool rather than just a numerical assessment.
“If a child falls into the adequate category, parents and teachers can identify which skills have been mastered and which need strengthening,” Rahmawati said.
The Ministry stressed that TKA results are not intended to label schools, regions, or students. The results will also be used as one component in the Merit-based Student Admission System (SPMB), alongside report card grades and other achievements.
Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education Communication Bureau Head Yudhistira Nugraha said TKA results integration into the new student admission system is done via API and web services to ensure more objective and transparent selection.
“The use of TKA in SPMB is expected to make the selection process more objective, fair, transparent, and comprehensive in assessing students’ academic abilities,” Nugraha stated.