VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The implementation of the National Examination for Junior High Level (SMP) or the equivalent is held simultaneously starting today, April 23 until April 26 in Indonesia with the total number of the participants nearly 4.3 million students. 63% of the participants follow the UN-based computer (UNBK) while the others still follow the exam by conventional way, namely by pencil and paper (UNKP). When asked how difficult is about the use of ‘HOTS’ model (Higher Order Thinking Skills) in the National Examination of Junior High School and the equivalent, Head of National Education Standards Agency (BSNP), Bambang Suryadi responded that the model has become the policy of the Ministry of Education and Culture to introduce the assessment with HOTS model that aims to train critical, creative, and analytical thinking skills among students so that they do not learn by memorizing patterns. This is in line with one of the goals of the 2013 Curriculum that does encourage the critical, creative, and analytical thinking skills. Minister of Education and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy said to Antara News Agency in Jakarta on Sunday (22/4) that about 10 to 15 % of the existing questions are related to HOTS model. The level of difficulty is adjusted to the ability of Junior High School students. Why does HOTS model seem difficult for the students? Secretary General of the Federation of Indonesian Teachers Union (FSGI), Heru Purnomo perceives that only some teachers apply HOTS in school learning. The approach of HOTS model is related to the 2013 curriculum. Meanwhile, most of the students who sit at IX class, attending the UN-based computer -UNBK still use Education Unit Level Curriculum -KTSP. In fact, any kinds of education models given in the national examination for Junior High School students or the equivalent levels will not be considered difficult, if the participating examinees have well prepared for the exam. Students’ great motivation to understand teaching materials at school, including support from parents, teachers, and the environment becomes very meaningful to be successful in the final exams, such as the National Exam, the School Exam or the Nationally Standardized Exam (USBN).