Caught Cheating During Academic Ability Test, Students and Schools to Receive Zero Scores

JAKARTA - The Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Abdul Mu’ti, has reminded that there will be consequences for students and schools caught cheating during the Academic Ability Test (TKA) next April.

“We are firm on this principle. If a student cheats or a school cheats, we will immediately nullify their scores,” said Mu’ti when met at the Ministry of Education office in Jakarta on Monday (30/3/2026).

He emphasised that the TKA’s tagline is “honest and joyful,” so its implementation must align with that tagline.

“We have issued SOPs. This covers inspections, sanctions, and various mechanisms to ensure that the TKA runs honestly and joyfully,” he explained.

He assured that the TKA is fully prepared overall.

Now, it is just a matter of waiting for the implementation date to begin.

Mu’ti confirmed that everything has been carefully considered, including technical preparations such as internet usage and computer availability, which have been arranged.

“Schools that do not or have not yet obtained computers have been arranged accordingly so they can borrow from other schools not conducting the TKA,” he said.

The TKA is intended for sixth-grade students of primary schools (SD/MI) and ninth-grade students of junior secondary schools (SMP/MTs) as part of the national academic ability measurement.