Indonesia is set to hold this year’s computer-based exam (UTBK), part of the annual state university entrance test (SBMPTN), in two phases because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Education and Culture Ministry, along with the Institution of University Entrance Exams (LTMPT) and the Indonesian State University Rectors Assembly (MRPTNI), announced the plan in a virtual press conference on Wednesday.

The ministry’s acting director general of higher education, Nizam, said the decision was made to ensure the safety of the participants.

"We will try to make state university admission as safe as possible," he said on Wednesday as reported by kompas.com.

"Test takers usually do not come [to the test locations] alone, they go with their parents. Travelling outside their regions would be difficult because of the large-scale social restrictions [PSBB], so we decided to hold the test in two phases," he added.

He said the first phase of the exam would be carried out from July 5 to 14. The exam would be designated for participants who resided in the regions of the test sites.

The second phase of the exam, which is scheduled for July 20 to 29, will be for participants from COVID-19 “red zones” that have chosen test locations outside of their respective regions.

The test organizers will cooperate with local high schools to conduct the exams so that the participants do not have to travel extensively.

"We want to ensure the safety of the test takers and people who escort them as well as the test organizers and supervisors. We also want to prevent the test takers from traveling outside of their respective regencies or provinces for the exam," MRPTNI head Jamal Wiwoho said.

He added that the organizers would follow strict health protocols while holding the exam.

"I hope we will still be able to conduct fair, accountable, flexible, efficient and transparent state university entrance tests," added Jamal.

LTMPT organizer executive chief Mohammad Nasih said there would be several other adjustments to the exams.

"We will reduce the number of tests per day from four to two in each location. This year, participants will only take one test subject," Nasih said, adding that the exams would be held at many locations in the country to avoid intercity travel.

In addition to using 74 UTBK centers, the organizers will cooperate with private universities and high schools to provide venues for the exams.

Nasih said the 2020 UTBK had been modified to adhere to “new normal” requirements.

“In addition to keeping previous protocols, we have also added measures to anticipate [force majeure] situations, including earthquakes, which would limit the mobility of participants. Therefore, we are calling it a hybrid UTBK,” added Nasih.

More than 703,000 participants have registered for the upcoming annual state university entrance exam. (nal)