Academic Aptitude Test Results for Primary and Lower Secondary Schools to Determine Merit-Based Pathway in New Student Admission System 2026

The Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti stated that the results of academic aptitude tests (TKA) at primary and lower secondary school levels will become one of the assessment components in the New Student Admission System (SPMB) 2026 through the merit-based pathway.

Mu’ti explained that the TKA is designed to measure students’ basic academic abilities, particularly in literacy and numeracy. At both primary and lower secondary levels, the examination will cover only two main subjects. “The TKA implementation for primary and lower secondary schools will test Indonesian language and mathematics. Indonesian language will measure literacy, whilst mathematics will assess students’ numeracy skills,” Mu’ti stated in a written statement on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.

He made this announcement while overseeing a TKA implementation drill at UPTD State Middle School 2 Peudada, Bireuen District, Aceh. The visit was also part of an agenda to restore educational services in disaster-affected areas.

According to Mu’ti, TKA results will not only serve as a tool to measure students’ abilities but will also be used as one aspect of assessment in new student admissions through the merit-based pathway in SPMB 2026. He therefore encouraged all education stakeholders in the regions to ensure smooth TKA implementation.

“The TKA results will become one assessment aspect in SPMB 2026’s merit-based pathway. We hope for full support from regional governments and all stakeholders so that implementation runs smoothly and is carried out with sincerity and joy,” Mu’ti said.

During the visit, Mu’ti also officially inaugurated the revitalisation of a school building at UPTD State Middle School 2 Peudada and handed over government assistance to the school.

At the school, teachers have been preparing students for the TKA since the beginning of the even semester. Dewi Nofita, a mathematics teacher at SMPN 2 Peudada, stated that the school provided specialised material deepening for the two examined subjects.

According to Dewi, the use of interactive digital boards helps teachers create practice questions with more attractive visuals so that students do not become bored while studying. “For TKA preparation, students have been deepening their studies since the beginning of the even semester. Each of the two subjects is allocated approximately ten hours of learning time per week on a rotating basis,” Dewi said.

Several students reported that they had prepared for the examination. Haiyatul Husna, a Year 9 student at SMPN 2 Peudada, stated that she regularly completes practice questions daily to prepare for the TKA scheduled for April 2026. “Every day I work through questions and deepen my understanding of the material at school. I hope to achieve the best grades so that I can proceed to the senior secondary or vocational school of my choice,” said Husna.

Another student, Fajar Rizki, also viewed the TKA as an opportunity to assess his own abilities before proceeding to the next level of education. “I want to get into the school of my choice. That is why I continue to prepare myself until the TKA implementation,” said Fajar.