Important
SBMPTN is no longer held. The 2022 round was the last one. From the 2023 admission cycle, Indonesia replaced it with SNBT (Seleksi Nasional Berdasarkan Tes, the National Selection Based on Test), which uses the UTBK-SNBT computer-based test run by SNPMB. Students applying to state universities now take UTBK-SNBT.
Overview
SBMPTN (Seleksi Bersama Masuk Perguruan Tinggi Negeri, the Joint Selection for State University Entry) was Indonesia's national test-based route into state universities (PTN). Candidates sat a computer-based written test, the UTBK, and their scores were used to compete for places. The test was run by the university entrance testing body LTMPT.
In September 2022 the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology announced a reform of state university admission (Merdeka Belajar Episode 22). The Minister said SBMPTN had tested a large amount of content from many school subjects. Under the new test-based route, SNBT, there are no subject tests; the test measures cognitive potential, mathematical reasoning, and literacy in Indonesian and English. SNBT opened for the first time in 2023.
The official LTMPT site no longer carries the SBMPTN details, so the exam description below relies on news and university reports of the 2022 round.
Exam pattern
In 2022 every candidate chose one of three test groups: Saintek (science and technology), Soshum (social sciences and humanities) or Campuran (mixed). Durations as reported for UTBK-SBMPTN 2022:
| Group | Scholastic Potential Test (TPS) | English | Academic Ability Test (TKA) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saintek | 90 minutes | 15 minutes | TKA Saintek, 90 minutes | 195 minutes |
| Soshum | 90 minutes | 15 minutes | TKA Soshum, 90 minutes | 195 minutes |
| Campuran | 90 minutes | 15 minutes | TKA Saintek and TKA Soshum, 90 minutes each | 285 minutes |
Syllabus
Scholastic Potential Test (TPS): general reasoning, quantitative ability (including basic mathematics), general knowledge and understanding, and reading comprehension and writing.
English: the English needed to study at university.
Academic Ability Test (TKA): knowledge of school subjects, with an emphasis on higher-order thinking. TKA Saintek covered science and mathematics subjects; TKA Soshum covered social science subjects.
Important dates
The final round, in 2022, ran on this schedule as reported at the time:
LTMPT account registration: 14 February to 17 March 2022.
UTBK-SBMPTN registration: 23 March to 15 April 2022.
Test wave I: 17 to 23 May 2022; wave II: 28 May to 3 June 2022.
SBMPTN results: 23 June 2022.
UTBK certificate download: 25 June to 31 July 2022.
What replaced it
SNBT, run through SNPMB, is the test-based route now. For 2026, UTBK-SNBT has two parts: the Scholastic Potential Test (general reasoning, general knowledge and understanding, reading comprehension and writing, and quantitative knowledge) and a Literacy test (literacy in Indonesian, literacy in English, and mathematical reasoning). For 2026, a candidate may take UTBK only once, and the results count only for SNBT and state university entry that year. See the SNPMB site for current rules.
Is SBMPTN still held?
No. The last SBMPTN was held in 2022. Since 2023 the test-based route into Indonesian state universities has been SNBT, using the UTBK-SNBT test.
What is the main difference between SBMPTN and SNBT?
SBMPTN included subject tests (TKA Saintek or TKA Soshum). SNBT has no subject tests; it tests scholastic potential, literacy in Indonesian and English, and mathematical reasoning.