The Language Center of Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) held the second batch of the TAEP (Test of Academic English Proficiency) for new students of the 2025/2026 academic year at Hall A, 9th Floor of GKB IV, on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. A total of 831 new students from various departments participated in the test, which was conducted in four shifts from 07:00 to 16:30. In the first batch, 2,590 students had already taken the test, and more are expected as the third batch of TAEP will be opened later this year.
TAEP is a tool to measure English proficiency in grammar, reading, and listening. It is designed, developed, and legally owned by the Language Center Testing Services (LCTS) of UMM’s Language Center. According to Adi Surya Irawan, M.Pd., Coordinator of the Language Testing Division, the main purpose of TAEP for new students is class placement. “The test results are used by study programs, especially those with English-taught or international classes, to ensure students are placed based on their English proficiency level. Additionally, the university also utilizes TAEP to identify outstanding talents with strong academic potential, particularly in English, to support UMM’s vision as an international campus,” he explained.
This year’s test also came with several changes compared to the past few years. In the previous years, TAEP was conducted fully online, adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the condition improves, it is now administered both offline (paper-based) and online (computer-based) with enhanced security systems to minimize cheating. “The online system also uses the Safe Exam Browser (SEB) and includes participant identity verification. This step is taken to minimize potential cheating while enhancing the authenticity and credibility of the test results,” Adi added.
Despite the improvements, some challenges still occurred, particularly regarding students’ readiness. “Some students, especially those taking the online test, were not well-prepared with their devices and the required application because they overlooked the manual. As a result, several had to move to another shift or the next batch to ensure their participation,” Adi said. To address this, the Language Center provided a technical support room to assist students facing technical difficulties during the online test. (yt)