Mendikti Ensures Evaluation and Processing of Cheating in UTBK
Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mendikti Saintek), Brian Yuliarto, has disclosed various cheating methods during the Computer-Based Written Examination (UTBK) for the 2026 National Selection Based on Tests (SNBT). Brian urged prospective university students to trust in their own abilities.
Brian stated that indications of cheating were found at several campuses because participants were checked with metal detectors before entering the examination room. From there, a method involving hearing aids inside the ears was uncovered.
“Indeed, in the first session today, several indications of cheating were found at some locations. For the method using aids, for example, it can be detected because all participants are checked first with metal detectors before entering the examination room,” said Brian to reporters on Wednesday (21/4/2026).
Mendikti also revealed a method involving photo fabrication used by exam participants. The authorities, together with the SNPMB central committee, have been using face recognition to verify the authenticity of prospective students.
“Likewise with the photo fabrication method. From the start, we, together with the SNPMB Central Committee in implementing SNBT, have used face recognition and AI support to detect various indications of cheating. For example, if there is any discrepancy between the school of origin and the chosen examination location, or if a participant registers using a photo or facial identity of another person,” he said.
Brian hopes that the entire UTBK series this year runs smoothly. He stated that every finding of cheating will be recorded and thoroughly investigated by his side.
“However, at this time, our main focus is to ensure that the entire UTBK series runs in an orderly, smooth, safe, and fair manner until completion. All findings of cheating will be recorded, investigated in depth, and processed according to applicable provisions,” he said.
He then conveyed a message to prospective university students participating in the UTBK SNBT 2026. Brian hopes that UTBK participants can trust their own abilities.
“My message to the prospective students: believe in your own abilities. You have studied and prepared yourselves earnestly, certainly also with parents’ prayers. Insyaallah, with good effort and the right way, you will get the best results,” he revealed.
It is known that findings of various UTBK cheating methods have been quite diverse. There is a proxy method where one person uses two identities.
The perpetrators are spread across West Sulawesi University (Unsulbar), State University of Surabaya (Unesa), to State University of Malang (UM).
The method involves UTBK 2025 participants retaking the exam in 2026. With the data tracking system, the committee successfully identified the real identity of the proxy early on.
“Also at the Unsulbar UTBK centre, an attempt at proxy-taking by substituting participants was found. So this was deliberately observed, the same person taking UTBK in 2025-2026 for the participant’s name. So the person is the same, taking the exam 2025-2026 for two names. You can understand, right? So that is definitely a proxy substitute,” said the General Chair of the 2026 National Selection for New Student Admission (SNPMB) Responsible Team, Prof Dr Ir Eduart Wolok, ST, MT, as quoted by detikEdu, Tuesday (21/4/2026).
A quite surprising finding occurred at Diponegoro University (Undip) Semarang. One participant had implanted a hearing aid inside their ear.
“The next one is also cheating at the UTBK centre at Diponegoro University (Undip) Semarang, involving the use of a hearing aid. The hearing aid was inserted into the ear. So we had to bring, by the UTBK central committee, this participant to an ENT doctor to remove it,” said Edward while showing a shuddering expression.