Computer Based Test (Ujian Nasional Berbasis Komputer - UNBK in Bahasa) is a government program to administer national exam system which uses computer as the test media. The program was initially conducted in 2014 and still running until now. In 2014, Computer Based Test was only held in Junior High School in Indonesia Singapore and Indonesia Kuala Lumpur. Then, in 2015-2017, the number of schools which implemented Computer Based Test were escalating quickly, although it mostly applied in schools in big cities because some schools in the remote areas still have problems due to lack of computer and access of internet. However, in 2018, the program continues to keep going and improving at this time, so almost of schools in Indonesia can oganize the national exam using computer.

From technological advances point of view, Computer Based Test is more compatible with the current technological developments in Indonesia and also fits well with students' ability who are highly skilled to use computer and internet. It could be said that Computer Based Test is very convenient for them because they only have to click the computer to choose the best answers, so it will save their times because they are no longer need to fill out the paper with pencil. Despite the facts, internet interruptions, computer errors, and lack of computers are still occuring in some schools, thus several students feel less-satisfied with this test system. This further encourages the government to keep making enhancements of the system, so this program can continue to be implemented in the future.

If we look more deeply, Computer Based Test is not only facilitate students but also give enormous benefits to the country. The transition from Paper Based Test to Computer Based Test can save more of the government's budget. The government can reduce the huge costs because Indonesian government do not have to spend  much money to print a lot of exam papers and distribute the exam papers to all schools that cost a lot. By switching to computer, the government can allocate that budget to another sectors or perhaps it can be used to provide good internet access.

In addition, this program not only gives advantages to the country financially, but also brings great news for the environment, because this test system is very environmentally friendly. As it is known that before using computers as test media, the national exam in Indonesia was Paper Based Test. Let's imagine how much of papers have been used and how many of trees have been cut down to make all of those exam papers. As additional information, the consumption of paper in Indonesia per capita is 27 kg/person/year or 11 rim/11 trees' trunks with the amount of paper's waste per day reaches 17 thousand tons. This implies that paper consumption in Indonesia remains at a very high level in daily life. Therefore, by using computer instead of paper can be regarded as one of the alternative ways in order to reduce the excessive production of paper. Indonesia itself is the first country to apply Computer Based Test on a large scale. Hopefully this program will continue to be held along with the improvement of system and regulation. Moreover, it is expected this way can be followed by other countries to be able to reduce paper usage and excessive trees' logging.

Source :

https://www.goodnewsfromindonesia.id/2017/10/11/indonesia-akan-banyak-hemat-energi-pada-tahun-2045-jika-terapkan-daur-ulang-sampah-kertas

Image :

https://unbk.kemdikbud.go.id

P.s Sorry for the late 2nd report for April because I've been busy doing some stuffs. :)