SNBT Cheating Rooted in Social Pressure and Educational Inequality
Education expert Satria Dharma noted that cheating in the National Selection Based on Tests (SNBT), which recurs annually, is not solely due to weak technical oversight. He stated that the problem stems from social pressures, extreme competitive culture, and educational inequality.
‘A root cause of SNBT cheating is not just weak technical oversight, but a combination of social pressure, educational inequality, extreme competitive culture, and societal perceptions of success,’ Satria told Media Indonesia on Monday (25 May).
He explained that gaining admission to top state universities (PTNs) in Indonesia is often seen as a symbol of intelligence, social status, and family pride. Consequently, the SNBT is no longer viewed merely as an exam but as a life-or-death gamble. Under such circumstances, some candidates justify cheating as an acceptable path to pass.
Beyond social pressure, Satria highlighted the highly competitive selection system as another factor. Limited seats at elite PTNs compared to the number of applicants create intense competition. ‘Small differences in scores can determine one’s future. In an extremely competitive environment, people are more likely to rationalise cheating,’ he said.
He also pointed out educational inequality, where some students have access to quality schools, top teachers, expensive tutoring, and adequate internet, while others do not. ‘When the system seems unfair from the start, some find it easier to justify cheating,’ he added.
Satria noted that societal culture prioritising results over process exacerbates the issue, with success in entering prestigious universities often celebrated more than the means used to achieve it.
On the technology front, he said advancements have made cheating methods harder to detect, including micro cameras, hidden earphones, AI, remote desktop tools, and digital proxy services. ‘It’s like an arms race between security systems and cheaters,’ he remarked.
Regarding penalties, Satria said disqualification for proven cheaters is still relevant, but administrative sanctions alone may not deter offenders, especially if professional networks are involved. ‘When professional proxies, identity fraud, digital manipulation, or paid syndicates are involved, it crosses into fraud and cybercrime,’ he said.
He urged the government to adopt stricter legal measures against organised cheating networks, including digital forensics investigations and tracking financial flows. The most urgent step, he added, is strengthening SNBT’s digital security through regular audits, independent penetration testing, and real-time anomaly detection.
Additionally, authorities should focus on dismantling cheating service networks, not just punishing individual candidates. ‘If only candidates are punished, the cheating business ecosystem will persist,’ he said.
In the long term, Satria stressed the importance of integrity education from an early age and reducing excessive social pressure on elite PTNs. ‘As long as society honours those who pass more than those who stay honest, cheating technology will continue to outpace oversight systems,’ he concluded.
UNIVERSITAS Sebelas Maret (UNS) in Surakarta has officially accepted 3,624 new students through the SNBT 2026 admission channel. SNPMB Chairman Eduart Wolok stated there are still around 186,000 spots available in PTN independent admission channels. Dr. Machya Astuti Dewi, M.Si. added that the Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering program has the tightest acceptance rate at 3.42%. For SNBT, UGM admitted 2,857 new students, with the Vocational School having the highest number of applicants among faculties.