Can Students from Rural Areas Really Pass the STIS Entrance Exam? Journey, Struggles, and Preparation Tips

Most assume the STIS exam is only manageable for big-city students with complete facilities and prep courses.

I used to think the same.

Resources in my small East Javanese town were scarce and limiting.

Later, I discovered that being limited in resources is not a valid reason to give up.

Instead, they became fuel for me to push harder.

What Makes STIS So Attractive?

STIS has always been considered one of the most prestigious government service colleges.

Because it is run by the Statistics Bureau (BPS), its graduates enjoy guaranteed employment opportunities.

For most families, STIS represents both prestige and job certainty.

Research shows that career assurance plus solid academics makes government institutions like STIS highly competitive.

This explains why yearly thousands battle over the scarce spots available.

Challenges of Studying in a Small Town

Honestly, preparing for STIS from a rural area isn’t easy.

Most well-known prep schools are based in major cities.

Libraries? Their collections are limited.

Connectivity is unreliable, making online study difficult.

At first, I tried studying with my old high school textbooks, some even torn.

The consequence? Practicing real STIS-level questions became almost impossible.

Especially with advanced math and quantitative logic sections.

According to Wibowo (2020) at UGM, lack of educational resources is a key barrier for rural students in exams.

I felt that struggle myself.

How to Catch Up?

Fortunately, now there are many online platforms.

BelajarCPNS.com was my starting point, with its authentic STIS-style tryouts.

That’s when I learned my weak spots—elementary mathematics and English.

Afterward, I tried private lessons via NgajarPrivat.com.

The tutors were patient, often explaining with everyday comparisons.

Bloom highlighted that individual tutoring yields double the results of traditional classrooms.

And I experienced that myself.

Additionally, I registered for focused classes at LapakGuruPrivat.com.

The classes trained us to answer questions efficiently.

When studying alone, I often wasted time stuck on a single question.

But in this class, I was trained to see patterns, not just answers.

What’s the Difference Between Studying Alone and with a Community?

Self-studying often ends in disappointment.

Unsolved questions eventually drained my spirit.

That motivated me to participate in an online forum on KoncoSinau.id.

The community gathered learners from various backgrounds.

It felt as if I had gained a whole new family.

At times they exchanged shortcut methods, at other times motivating words.

That support was extremely useful.

Research from Yogyakarta State University (Rahmawati, 2019) shows peer learning can boost motivation up to 35%.

The effect was real in my case.

What Should You Practice for the STIS Entrance Exam?

From my experience, three key areas must be mastered.

Basic & advanced mathematics – the heart of STIS.

English—often underestimated, yet crucial in determining success.

TPA/aptitude section—logic combined with time pressure.

My habit was structured: early math, later English, evening aptitude.

It wasn’t flawless, but being consistent worked.

According to Duckworth, perseverance over time outweighs raw ability.

That’s why, though tiring, I kept at it consistently.

image url="https://info.orcid.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CShillum.jpg"Are Tryouts Really Important?

Yes, very much.

Though I doubted in the beginning, I later saw tryouts matter greatly.

Tryouts aren’t only about content but also time control.

Means and colleagues (2013) proved that simulations raise performance thanks to familiarity with the test environment.

Thus, beyond theory, consistent CAT practice is crucial.

What If You Feel Mentally Down?

This happens often.

Usually after bad results in simulations.

I almost gave up then.

But slowly, I learned not to be too hard on myself.

My tutor once said: “Stop comparing yourself. Progress matters more than competition.”

I carried that reminder forward.

To keep my spirits up, I returned to my friends at KoncoSinau.id.

image url="https://c.pxhere.com/photos/1c/1a/simpsons_carl_toy_cartoon_drawing_white_background_snowman_product-1378296.jpg!d"Sometimes just venting lightened my heart.

So, Can Rural Students Pass Les STIS?

The reality: without a doubt, yes.

Though not from a metropolis, combining private tutoring, practice exams, focused classes, and a study group made it possible.

Yes, it takes more work, but it’s not hopeless.

Tutors at NgajarPrivat.com simplified complex lessons.

LapakGuruPrivat.com provided special strategies for problem solving.

BelajarCPNS.com became my CAT practice ground.

KoncoSinau.id supplied encouragement from peers.

The combination of these four factors built my confidence.
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