Series of UTBK 2026 Cheating Incidents: From Using Impostors to Installing Hearing Devices
The Computer-Based Written Exam for the National Selection Based on Tests (UTBK SNBT) 2026 for entry into state universities began on Tuesday (21/4). Various cheating practices by participants have coloured the implementation of the selection for public universities in various regions. CNNIndonesia.com has compiled several cheating actions during the UTBK SNBT implementation in various areas, as follows:
Impostor Practice at Unesa
An impostor practice was found at Universitas Negeri Surabaya (Unesa). The committee successfully apprehended an impostor who used the real participant’s identity but with a manipulated photo.
“The method involves using the identity being impersonated. The name remains the original participant’s name, but the photo is replaced with that of the person taking the exam,” said Unesa’s Vice Rector for Education, Student Affairs, and Alumni, Martadi, on Tuesday (21/4).
This cheating action was uncovered after the committee cross-checked participant data across years. The perpetrator was known to be an impostor for someone registered in the medicine programme at Universitas Negeri Malang.
“We compared this data with last year; the photo was the same, but the name was different. From there, we became suspicious,” Martadi said.
According to Martadi, the perpetrator, who had briefly taken the exam, has now been handed over to the authorities on suspicion of forging documents such as ID cards and diplomas.
Impostor Network at UPNVJT
A cheating action through impersonation also occurred at UPN Veteran Jawa Timur (UPNVJT).
This cheating was revealed after a participant showed suspicious behaviour during the first exam session. After a physical and document check, identity discrepancies were found.
“We have recorded it in the minutes and reported it to the centre. It is currently being processed internally,” said UPNVJT’s Public Relations Staff, Nizwan Amin.
The participant who cheated at UPNVJT was known to have chosen the medicine programme at Universitas Brawijaya and Universitas Negeri Jember.
Not only that, the committee also detected links between the perpetrator’s data and other exam locations, including Universitas Airlangga (Unair) in Surabaya.
Unair’s Head of Public Relations and Protocol Centre, Pulung Siswantara, confirmed that the participant on the watchlist did not attend the location.
“The photo is indicated to be the same as a 2025 participant, so we were already wary. However, the individual did not show up at Unair,” Pulung said.
Hearing Aid Device at Undip
Meanwhile, the UTBK SNBT at Universitas Diponegoro (Undip) was shocked by a participant with initials M who hid a hearing aid device inside their ear.
“The perpetrator of the cheating has been handed over to Tembalang Police Sector as per the procedures we must follow. For further actions regarding the cheating perpetrator, it falls under the authority of law enforcement officials,” said Undip’s Vice Rector II, Heru Santoso, when contacted by reporters on Tuesday, quoted from detikJateng.
The cheating was detected by the committee during screening using a metal detector. The check was conducted before participants took the UTBK.
During the metal detector check, metal was found inside the participant’s clothing. After further examination, the committee detected metal inside both ears.
Meanwhile, Tembalang Police Chief, Kompol Kristiyastuti Handayani, said her side immediately went to the location after receiving a report regarding the cheating action.
“(The UTBK participant) brought a communication device in the form of a cable like a hands-free. The prospective student’s data has initials M. (From where?) From outside Semarang,” she said.
The UTBK participant who intended to cheat was then given counselling by the police. Since they had not yet taken the exam, the participant was returned to their parents.