Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Saya membaca jadwal ujian di papan pengumuman. - I read the exam schedule on the bulletin board.

membaca can mean read, am/are reading, was/were reading, or read (past).
The actual time is understood from context or from extra words, for example:
- Saya sedang membaca jadwal ujian... = I am reading the exam schedule... (right now, in progress)
- Tadi saya membaca jadwal ujian... = I read the exam schedule earlier.
- Saya sudah membaca jadwal ujian... = I have already read the exam schedule.

In your sentence without any time marker, membaca is neutral; it could be present or past depending on context.

Why is it membaca and not just baca? What does the me- prefix do?

baca is the root verb “read”.
membaca is the meN- (pronounced me-) prefixed form of that root.

meN- + baca → membaca

Commonly:

Root form (baca) is used in commands, headlines, casual lists, and some informal speech:
- Baca ini. = Read this.
meN- form (membaca) is the normal “fully-formed” verb in statements:
- Saya membaca buku. = I read a book / I am reading a book.

So in a normal sentence with a subject (Saya), membaca sounds natural and complete. Saya baca jadwal... is possible in informal speech, but more casual.

What exactly does jadwal ujian mean? Is ujian like an adjective here?

jadwal ujian is a noun + noun combination:

jadwal = schedule
ujian = exam

In Indonesian, the second noun describes the first, similar to an English noun as an adjective.

So jadwal ujian = exam schedule (literally: schedule [of] exam).

This pattern is very common:

jadwal pelajaran = class schedule
buku pelajaran = textbook (study book)
kartu ujian = exam card (exam admission card)

How do I say exam schedules (plural) instead of just exam schedule?

Indonesian usually doesn’t mark plural on the noun if it’s obvious from context.

jadwal ujian can mean exam schedule or exam schedules, depending on context.

If you really want to emphasize plural, you can:

Reduplicate the noun:
- jadwal-jadwal ujian = exam schedules (several schedules)
Add a word that indicates quantity:
- beberapa jadwal ujian = several exam schedules
- banyak jadwal ujian = many exam schedules

But in most normal sentences, jadwal ujian alone is enough and natural.

What does di mean here? In English we say on the notice board, but di is usually at/in, right?

di is a general location preposition and can correspond to at / in / on in English, depending on the noun and the context.

di rumah = at home
di tas = in the bag
di meja = on the table
di papan pengumuman = on the notice/announcement board

English has to choose between at / in / on, but Indonesian uses di for all of these. The exact English preposition is decided when translating, not by the Indonesian word itself.

Can I change the word order, like Di papan pengumuman, saya membaca jadwal ujian?

Yes, that is correct and natural.

Saya membaca jadwal ujian di papan pengumuman.
- Neutral order, focusing on the action and object.
Di papan pengumuman, saya membaca jadwal ujian.
- Slightly emphasizes the location (on the notice board).

Both are grammatical. Indonesian word order is relatively flexible, especially with location phrases like di papan pengumuman, which can move to the front for emphasis or style.

Can I drop Saya and just say Membaca jadwal ujian di papan pengumuman?

You can, but the feel changes:

Saya membaca jadwal ujian di papan pengumuman.
- Clear: I read / am reading the exam schedule…
Membaca jadwal ujian di papan pengumuman.
- Feels more like a fragment: “Reading the exam schedule on the notice board.”
- It could be:
  - A note in a diary/list.
  - A caption under a picture.
  - A sentence where the subject is understood from previous context.

In normal, standalone sentences, it’s better to keep Saya to clearly show the subject. Indonesian can drop subjects, but it’s usually when context is already very clear.

What is the difference between saya and aku here? Could I say Aku membaca jadwal ujian…?

Yes, you could say Aku membaca jadwal ujian di papan pengumuman, but the tone changes.

saya
- Polite, neutral, used in formal situations, with strangers, in writing, etc.
aku
- Informal, used with close friends, family, in casual conversation, songs, etc.

So:

Talking to a teacher, colleague, or writing an essay: Saya membaca… is safer.
Chatting with a close friend: Aku membaca… is natural.

Grammatically both are fine; it’s just a matter of formality and relationship.

How would I say I read my exam schedule on the notice board? Where does my go?

To express my, you usually add the pronoun after the noun phrase:

jadwal ujian saya = my exam schedule

So the full sentence is:

Saya membaca jadwal ujian saya di papan pengumuman.

Structure:

jadwal (schedule)
ujian (exam)
saya (my)

Literally: “schedule exam my”. In Indonesian, possessive pronouns normally come after the noun.

What exactly is papan pengumuman? Is it always a physical board?

papan pengumuman literally means announcement board or notice board:

papan = board (a physical board, plank, panel)
pengumuman = announcement(s)

Traditionally it’s a physical board at a school, campus, office, etc., where notices, schedules, and announcements are posted (often printed on paper and pinned or taped).

Today, people might also talk about online systems, but papan pengumuman still strongly suggests a physical notice board unless the context clearly refers to a digital board.

Is this sentence formal, informal, or neutral?

Saya membaca jadwal ujian di papan pengumuman. is:

Grammatically standard
Neutral to formal, mainly because of saya
Perfectly suitable for:
- Writing (essays, reports, tests)
- Speaking in class or to a teacher
- Neutral narration

To make it more casual, you might change saya to aku, or in some varieties of informal speech, shorten other parts, but as written it’s a good, standard sentence.