Technology Makes SNBT Cheating Methods More Sophisticated

Chairman of the Association of Indonesian State University Rectors (MRPTNI) Eduart Wolok stated that SNBT fraud schemes continue to evolve with technological advancements, despite a significant decline in cases compared to last year.

“Compared to 2025, there has been a significant decline. Generally, the methods remain similar but with modifications due to technological progress,” Wolok told Media Indonesia on Monday (25 May).

He noted that the most common cheating method remains proxy test-taking (joki), where another person takes the exam on behalf of the candidate. However, perpetrators are becoming increasingly adept at modifying their tactics to evade detection systems.

“The primary method is using proxies to take the exam. Other patterns are largely similar but modified, and so far the committee has been able to anticipate or detect them,” he added.

Wolok explained that the SNBT committee is strengthening detection systems to counter evolving fraud schemes, including checking for identical answer patterns across UTBK subtests and verifying candidates’ identities by matching exam-day photos with data from multiple sources.

“Actions taken include checking for matching UTBK answer patterns across subtests and verifying candidate photos against data from various sources,” he concluded.

Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) in Surakarta has officially admitted 3,624 new students through the SNBT 2026 pathway.

Wolok attributed SNBT cheating to social pressures, extreme competition culture, and disparities in education quality.

As General Chairman of the SNPMB committee, Wolok also stated that approximately 186,000 slots remain available for independent admission pathways at state universities.

Dr. Machya Astuti Dewi, M.Si, added that the Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering programme is the most competitive, with an acceptance rate of 3.42%.