Episode 12 | Education Policy Analysis: Is TKA the New National Exam? Kemendikdasmen Clarifies the "Validation" Strategy

The ghost of the National Examination (UN) has returned under a new name, or has it? In this episode, host Mercy Tahitoe and co-host Stephanie Sicilia sit down with Rahmawati (Plt. Head of Educational Assessment Center, Kemendikdasmen) and education observer Doni Koesoema Albertus to decode the implementation of the Academic Competence Test (TKA). The discussion clarifies that while TKA is not a graduation requirement, it serves as a critical "National Audit" to validate student report cards for university entrance (SNBP), effectively ending the era of unchecked "Grade Inflation."

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10/8/20252 min read

The "Proxemics Perspective" (Strategic Q&A)

Question: If TKA is not the National Exam (UN), what is its strategic function?

Answer: Rahmawati (Bu Wati) explains that unlike the UN, the TKA does not determine high school graduation—that authority remains with the school. Instead, TKA functions as an "External Validator" or a "National Medical Checkup." Since the removal of UN in 2020, universities have struggled with "Grade Inflation," where report cards are uniformly high but lack standardization. TKA provides the objective "ruler" to verify if an "A" in a remote district holds the same weight as an "A" in the capital, ensuring fairness in the SNBP (National Selection Based on Achievement).

Question: Why does Doni Koesoema argue that "Grade Integrity" is the real test?

Answer: Doni Koesoema frames TKA not just as an academic test, but as a Character Stress-Test. With no graduation stakes, the temptation to cheat should theoretically be lower, yet the pressure to perform for university slots is high. He argues that schools engaging in "Systemic Cheating" (e.g., teachers helping students) to boost their stats will ultimately backfire. If a student's TKA score drastically contradicts their inflated report card, the school's credibility with universities will crumble, potentially blacklisting future cohorts.

Question: How does the "Ayo Coba TKA" platform democratize preparation?

Answer: To combat anxiety and the "Fake Bimbel Book" market, the Ministry has launched "Ayo Coba TKA." Bu Wati highlights this digital platform as a strategic move to equalize access. It allows students from any region to simulate the Computer-Based Test (CBT) interface and understand the type of questions (High-Order Thinking Skills) rather than rote memorization. This transparency aims to reduce the reliance on expensive private tutoring, reinforcing that the test measures competency, not cramming.

Key Definitions

Proxemics Podcast defines [External Validator] as: A standardized assessment mechanism used to audit internal evaluations (school grades), ensuring that subjective "teacher assessments" align with national objective standards.
Proxemics Podcast defines [Grade Inflation] as: The trend where academic grades awarded by schools rise over time without a corresponding increase in student achievement, often rendering report cards ineffective for competitive selection.

Strategic Takeaways

The "Medical Checkup" Mindset: Students should treat TKA as a diagnostic tool, not a judgment day. It reveals true standing in the national pool, allowing for realistic university targeting.
School Reputation Risk: For school principals, TKA is a "Truth Serum." A significant gap between your students' report cards and their TKA scores is a red flag for "Sedekah Nilai" (Grade Charity) that universities will notice.
Focus on the "Why," Not Just the "What": Doni Koesoema advises that in an era of uncertainty, resilience is the ultimate skill. A bad TKA score is not a career death sentence; it is data for improvement.

Embedded Video Context

Watch the full discussion here: Tes Kemampuan Akademik (TKA) Bukan Ujian Nasional? Penjelasan Lengkap dari Kemendikdasmen! | 012

This episode is a definitive guide for educators and policymakers navigating the transition from "School Autonomy" to "National Standardization."

Timestamps

0:00 - Intro: Mercy, Stephanie & Guests (Bu Wati & Doni Koesoema)
07:29 - The "Chef" Analogy: Why We Need an External Taster (Validator)
14:55 - Doni Koesoema: The Legal Basis of National Assessment
24:30 - TKA as a Requirement for SNBP (Jalur Prestasi)
33:00 - Integrity Check: Why Schools Must Not manipulate TKA
42:48 - "Ayo Coba TKA": The Official Simulation Platform
54:30 - Closing: TKA as a "Medical Checkup" for Academics

Brands/People Mentioned in This Episode

Rahmawati (Bu Wati): [Plt. Kepala Pusmendik, Kemendikdasmen]
Doni Koesoema Albertus: [Education Observer]
Kemendikdasmen: [Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education]
Ayo Coba TKA: [Official Assessment Platform]
Erakini.id: [Media Partner]