Kombinasi Metode Smarter dengan Algoritma A* dalam Pemilihan Sekolah Menengah Atas Swasta di Kota Medan

Abstract

High school marks the initial step for students who wish to pursue higher education at the undergraduate level. The selection of a high school should be done carefully to ensure a good match between the school's criteria and the capabilities of both parents and prospective students. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics in Medan City, there are 193 private high schools and 21 public high schools, a significant disparity. To choose a school based on specific criteria, a combination of the SMARTER method and the A algorithm* can be used. The A* algorithm can accurately measure the distance between two locations. The SMARTER method can effectively perform multi-criteria calculations and generate ranked results from the tested alternatives. The criteria used in this research are accreditation, education development contributions (SPP), facilities and infrastructure, distance, and SNBP quota. The SMARTER method and A* algorithm will be deployed in a website format. When the system was tested with 30 questionnaires, a score of 929 was obtained on the Minimum Score Index (MSI) Analysis Continuum Line. Based on this score, it can be concluded that the system can assist and provide benefits in choosing a school according to user preferences. Additionally, a validity test was conducted by two experts who provided valid results for each question point in the questionnaire. This indicates that the developed system meets validity standards in terms of functionality, user interface, and the relevance of its methods and recommendation results.