Essay IELL 3 - Changes of National Examination

Changes in National Exam

The National Exam is the test conducted reguraly across Indonesia. National Examination is an evaluation done to equalize the level of education quality in Indonesia. National Examination has been underway since 1950 to now. In practice, national examination made ​​many changes. The changes are made ​​to determine the graduation standards for all students that taking the exam. There are some of the changes that occur in the implementation of national examinations.

The first is the change in the standard national test scores. Almost every year the national exams always has a different standard of value. Standard value consists of the standard value of each subjects tested and the standard of the average value of all subjects tested. In the period from 1950 to 1979, there was no fundamental change in the setting of national standards test scores. National Examination conducted regular examinations properly. There is no default value set to determine the students' graduation. In the period 1980-2001, students' graduation is determined by a combination of two values ​​Ebtanas evaluation with test scores listed on the daily report card. In Ebtanas, students passed if the average value of all subjects tested is six. While there is value in the bottom three. In the period 2002-2004, which previously had a national exam called Ebtanas, renamed as UAN, the National Final Examination. In UAN 2002, students' graduation is determined by the value of individual subjects. In UAN 2003, the standard value of students' graduation is 3.01 on each subject and the average value of at least 6.00 in all subjects. In UAN 2004, the standard minimum passing score of students is 4.01 on each subject and did not set a minimum average value. In the period 2005-2010, UAN was renamed as UN, namely the National Exam as it is commonly called today. In the UN  2005, the minimum standard for each subject is 4.25. At the UN in 2006, the minimum standard passing score is 4.25 for each subject and a minimum of 4.50 for the average value of all subjects tested. At the UN in 2007, there were two graduation criteria, these are the average value of at least 5.00 for all subjects with no grades below 4.25 for each subject tested. The next criterion is that, if there is a value of 4.00 at one of the subjects tested, then the value in two other subjects should be 6.00. At the UN in 2008, there are two criteria for standard passing score that is almost same as in 2007, but, in 2008 standard average value at least a 5.25. At UN 2009, the standard value to achieve the passing score is the average value of at least 5.50 for all subjects tested, with a minimum value of 4.00 for at most two subjects and a minimum of 4.25 for the other subjects. UN 2010 has two standard passing score, the first is the average value of at least 5.50 for all subjects tested, with a value of at least 4.00 to at most two subjects and a minimum of 4.25 for the other subjects. The second one is specific to the SMK, the minimum grade of vocational subjects practice are 7.00 and used to calculate the average grade of the UN. UN 2011, standard graduation is the combined value of 60% in UN with the value of 40% in school test. The mean - average minimum to be achieved is 5.50. Students may also graduate with a value of 4.00 at the UN but scored 8 on the Exam Schools. School grades for SMA / MA / SMK is a combination of the semester grades 3,4,5 and school test scores. As for SMP/MTs value was taken from school report cards of semester grades  1,2,3,4,5 . No combined value below  4.0 and the average value of at least 5.50. Special for vocational school, the competence of expertise is 7.00. UN 2012 standard passing score is equal to the year 2011, that is 5.5. Weights fixed divider 60:40, same as the previous year. Various sources suggest an increase in the standard grade of examination from year to year is to improve the quality of education in Indonesia. With a range of high grade, proving the existence of the level of education in Indonesia. UN standard passing score that rises gradually, carried out to assess the ability of students in Indonesia.

The second is the change of the questions form and the number of subjects tested. In the period 1950-1960, the questions tested was essays. In 1965-1971,  all subjects were tested in the exam, called the state exam. In the period 1972-1979 subjects tested are made freely by each school.  Most likely, the format and number of questions that tested is different at every school. Period 1980-2001, the final exam is given by using two forms , that is Ebtanas for general subjects and Ebtanas for non-ebtanas subject. In the period 2002-2004, about the format and number of subjects tested is most likely similar to EBTANAS in the period 1980-2001. Period 2005-2007 the number of subjects tested were three subjects, these are the Indonesian Language, Mathematics, and English. Whereas in the period 2008-2010, the number of subjects tested increased to six subjects. In 2011-2012 period, subjects tested in the UN for all study programs generally are Indonesian, Matematics, and English. The only difference is, for high school science program is accompanied by examinations of Physics, Chemistry, and Bioligy. For high school social studies program is accompanied by Economy, Sociology, and Geography. For language courses accompanied by examination of Anthropology, and Foreign Language Options. For Religious program is accompanied by Tafsir Hadith Fiqh exam. For vocational exams with Competency Skills (Vocational Theory and Practice), while for the SMP / MTs accompanied by science exam. The reason of the occurrence of some changes in the form of questions and subjects tested is to adjust the passing score standard that has been created. However, the increase in subjects tested in the UN aims to balance the level of seriousness among the subjects tested in the UN and are not.

The third is to change the implementation of the UN system. During 1950-1960,  National Exam is called by Final Exam. Exam questions prepared by the Ministry of Education, Teaching and Culture, and the test results examined in the rayon center. In the years 1965-1971, the National Exam called by State Exam. Exam materials created by the central government and apply to all regions in Indonesia. Time of the exam is also determined by the central government. In 1972-1979, the government gave each school the freedom to conduct their own examinations. Preparation of questions and assessments were conducted by each school. The government only set guidelines and guidance of a general nature. In 1980-2001, the National Exam called by Ebtanas. Ebtanas was coordinated by the central government and Ebta coordinated by the provincial government. In the years 2002-2004, National Exam called with UAN. Exam questions were created by the Ministry of Education and the school can not monitor the UAN. The students who have not graduated are still given the opportunity to repeat one-week interval thereafter. In 2005, UAN was renamed UN, National Exam. This year, students who have not graduated in stage I should follow the UN stage II only for subjects who have not graduated. In 2006-2010, there was no repetition of the conduct that does not pass the National Exam. Years 2011-2012, the system of  national exam are used no re-examination, School Exam conducted before the National Exam, and UN of SMK is a scan by public universities. The reason of so many changes that occur implementation of the UN system in Indonesia are for keeping the standard or existing learning systems, to maintain a stable number of graduate students, and to maintain the quality of education in Indonesia better.

In conclusion, national exam in Indonesia has many changes in almost every year. These changes consist of changes in standard national exam passing score, changes of subjects tested, as well as changes in the implementation of the national exam system. These changes are intended to improve the graduation system in Indonesia. These changes also aims to establish definite standards for education in Indonesia. So it can be found the system and the proper way to improve the quality of education in Indonesia without harming the run.