Optimizing Teacher and Student Competencies through Diagnostic Assessments and Preparation Support for the 2026 TKA at SMAN 2 Indralaya Utara

Biology Education faculty members from Sriwijaya University (Unsri) conducted a Community Service (PKM) activity at SMAN 2 Indralaya Utara, Palem Raya Village, on September 2, 2026. The activity was themed “Optimizing Teacher and Student Competencies through Diagnostic Assessments and Guidance in Preparing for the 2026 Academic Aptitude Test (TKA) at SMAN 2 Indralaya Utara.”

This activity is part of the efforts by Sriwijaya University faculty members to support the improvement of educators’ competencies while preparing students for the 2026 Academic Aptitude Test (TKA). The implementation of the activity involved two community service teams with complementary targets: teachers and students.

The event was opened by the Head of the Tracer Study Subdivision at Sriwijaya University, Dr. Meilinda Sari, M.Pd. In her remarks, she expressed hope that the community service initiative would make a tangible contribution to the school, particularly by improving teachers’ readiness to conduct assessments and by helping students prepare to face academic challenges and the college admissions process.

The first community service team carried out an activity titled “Assistance in Completing the Academic Competency Test (TKA) for Students of SMAN 2 Indralaya in Palem Raya Village as an Effort to Increase Chances of Admission to Higher Education Institutions through the SNBP Pathway” led by team leader Nike Anggraini, S.Pd., M.Sc.

This activity focused on guiding students in understanding and solving TKA questions. Through this activity, students received reinforcement of their academic competencies as well as guidance in dealing with the formats and characteristics of questions related to preparing for higher education.

Meanwhile, the second community service team conducted an activity titled “Training and Guidance on Developing Diagnostic Assessments for Teachers at SMAN 2 Indralaya Utara in Palem Raya Village,” led by Dr. Rahmi Susanti, M.Pd.

This training was designed to enhance teachers’ ability to develop and utilize diagnostic assessments as part of the learning process. Diagnostic assessments are expected to help teachers gain insight into students’ initial abilities, needs, and learning difficulties so that instruction can be tailored more effectively to the students’ individual circumstances.

Both activities were designed to be integrated. The diagnostic assessments conducted by teachers serve as a foundation for identifying students’ learning needs, while the TKA mentoring program provides targeted support to students in line with the academic competencies they need to develop.

Through this PKM activity, Biology Education faculty members at Sriwijaya University are striving to strengthen the synergy between universities and schools in improving the quality of learning. The activity also represents a tangible contribution by Sriwijaya University in supporting educational institutions as they navigate the changes and demands of educational assessments in 2026.

With this activity, it is hoped that teachers’ competencies in conducting assessments will continue to improve and that students at SMAN 2 Indralaya Utara will be better academically prepared to face the TKA and continue their education at the university level.