Psychological Assessment of Interest and Aptitude Tests for Students of SMA 1 Muhammadiyah Pekanbaru

Abstract

Planned education serves as a crucial foundation for high school students navigating the critical transition of identity discovery. Self-disorientation and the risk of academic mismatch are primary obstacles that hinder academic achievement and learning motivation. This community service project aimed to facilitate students' self-discovery through interest and talent assessments using the Self-Directed Search (SDS) Holland instrument. The method involved 38 students from SMA 1 Muhammadiyah Pekanbaru through psychological education, RIASEC testing, and consultation sessions. Results indicated a dominance in the Enterprising field (10 students), while the Realistic and Artistic (3 students each) fields showed the lowest preference. Although this assessment provides a clear career roadmap, students' objective success remains dependent on the integration of interests, cognitive abilities, and grit. This activity effectively assisted students in mapping their potential for informed decision-making regarding university majors.