Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia

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The Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), or the Malaysian Certificate of Education, is a national examination sat for by all fifth-form secondary school students in Malaysia. It is the equivalent of the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) of England, Wales and Northern Ireland; the Nationals 4/5 of Scotland; and the GCE Ordinary Level (O Level) of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is the leaving examination of the eleventh grade of schooling.

Contents

The Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia distributed by Examinations Syndicate. Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia.png
The Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia distributed by Examinations Syndicate.
Mockup of an SPM certificate. It is handed out by the Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia SPM Mock Certificate (2021 version).png
Mockup of an SPM certificate. It is handed out by the Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia

The SPM is sat for by secondary school students before further studies in foundation, STPM, matriculation or diploma. The examination is set and examined by the Malaysian Examinations board. For students attending international schools, the equivalent exam they take is the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) exam, and the Unified Examinations Certificate is equivalent to Advanced Level. All SPM examination papers are considered official confidential property and are protected under the Official Secrets Act 1972 of Malaysia. [1]

In 2021, the Malaysian Ministry of Education introduced a new SPM format for the new KSSM syllabus, which replaced the old SPM format for the old KBSM syllabus. [2] For English, the GCE O Level grade was discontinued, the Common European Framework of Reference syllabus was implemented for the English paper and the result statement is handed out with the SPM Certificate. [3]

Mockup of the front page of the Malay Language SPM Paper SPM Mockup of Front Paper for Bahasa Melayu Paper.png
Mockup of the front page of the Malay Language SPM Paper
SPM 2022 examination candidate QR code example SPM 2022 examination candidate QR code.svg
SPM 2022 examination candidate QR code example

History

The SPM allows Malaysians to continue their studies to pre-university level. Originally there were two versions of the SPM, which were introduced in 1964: the Malaysian Certificates of Education taken by students studying in English schools and SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) taken by students studying in national schools. The difference between the two was that the SPM was conducted using the national language (Bahasa Melayu) while the MCE was conducted in English. The MCE was discontinued in 1976 when the Ministry of Education took over the examination from the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) and merged it with the SPM. The predecessor of these exam were SPPTM (Sijil Pelajaran Persekutuan Tanah Melayu. Started in 1962) and FMC (Federation of Malaya Certificate. Started on 1957) before the formation of Federation of Malaysia. [4]

Subjects

Compulsory subjects

Certain subjects are mandatory for students. They are: [5] [6]

CodeSubject (Official name)Subject (English name)Examination language
1103 Bahasa Melayu Malay LanguageMalay
1119Bahasa InggerisEnglish LanguageEnglish
1223Pendidikan Islam [a] Islamic EducationMalay
1225Pendidikan Moral [b] Moral EducationMalay
1249SejarahHistoryMalay
1449MatematikMathematicsEnglish and Malay
1511Sains [c] ScienceEnglish and Malay

a Compulsory for all Muslim students except for students in the Islamic Science stream, who are required to take their respective electives in lieu of this subject.

b Compulsory for all non-Muslim students.

c Compulsory for students in the Commerce, Literature and Arts streams only. Students in the Pure Science, Islamic Science, and Humanities Science streams are required to take their respective Science electives in lieu of this subject.

Elective subjects

Science and mathematics

CodeSubject (Official name)Subject (English name)Examination language
3472 Matematik Tambahan Additional MathematicsEnglish and Malay
4531 Fizik PhysicsEnglish and Malay
4541 Kimia ChemistryEnglish and Malay
4551 Biologi BiologyEnglish and Malay
4561 Sains Tambahan Additional ScienceEnglish and Malay

In 2003, the medium of instruction for the science and mathematics subjects was switched from Malay to English. Due to this transition, students taking science and mathematics subjects can choose to sit for the exams in either English or Malay.

Languages and literature

CodeSubject (Official name)Subject (English name)Examination language
2205Kesusasteraan InggerisEnglish LiteratureEnglish
2215Kesusasteraan Melayu KomunikatifCommunicative Malay LiteratureMalay
2361 Bahasa Arab (اللغة العربية) Arabic Language Arabic
6351 Bahasa Cina (华文) * Chinese Language Standard Chinese
6354 Bahasa Tamil (தமிழ்மொழி) Tamil Language Tamil
6356 Bahasa Iban (jaku Iban) Iban Language Iban
6357 Bahasa Kadazandusun (Boros Momogun)Kadazandusun LanguageKadazandusun
6358 Bahasa Semai (Engrok Semai) Semai Language Semai
6401 Bahasa Jepun (日本語) Japanese Language Japanese
6405 Bahasa Jerman (Deutsch) German Language German
6406 Bahasa Korea (한국어) Korean Language Korean
6407 Bahasa Cina Komunikasi (交际华语) Communicative Chinese Language Standard Chinese
9216 Kesusasteraan Cina (华文文学) Chinese Literature Standard Chinese
9217 Kesusasteraan Tamil (தமிழ் இலக்கியம்) Tamil Literature Tamil
9303Bahasa Perancis (Français) French Language French
9378 Bahasa Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ) Punjabi Language Punjabi

*Every students in SMJK are compulsory to take chinese subject (Bahasa Cina)

Economics and business

CodeSubject (Official name)Subject (English name)Examination language
3754Pengajian KeusahawananEntrepreneurial StudiesMalay
3766PerniagaanBusinessMalay
3756Prinsip PerakaunanPrinciples of AccountingMalay
3767EkonomiEconomicsMalay

Social Sciences and religion

CodeSubject (Official name)Subject (English name)Examination language
2280GeografiGeographyMalay
5226Tasawwur IslamIslamic WorldviewsMalay
5228Pendidikan Al-Quran dan Al-SunnahQuran and Sunnah StudiesMalay
5228Pendidikan Syariah IslamiahIslamic Law StudiesMalay
5301Hifz Al-QuranQuran RecitationArabic
5302Maharat Al-QuranQuran SkillsArabic
5303Turath Al-Quran dan Al-SunnahQuran and Sunnah ClassicsArabic
5304Turath Dirasat IslamiahIslamic Studies ClassicsArabic
5305Turath Bahasa ArabArabic Language ClassicsArabic
5401Usul Al-DinFoundational Islamic TheologyArabic
5402Al-SyariahIslamic LawArabic
5403Al-Lughah Al-'Arabiah Al-Mu'asirahArabic LanguageArabic
5404Manahij Al-'Ulum Al-IslamiahIslamic LogicArabic
5405Al-Adab Wa Al-BalaghahArabic Literature and RhetoricsArabic
9221Bible KnowledgeBible KnowledgeEnglish

Arts and health

CodeSubject (Official name)Subject (English name)Examination language
2611Pendidikan Seni VisualVisual Arts EducationMalay
2621Pendidikan MuzikMusic EducationMalay
4572Sains SukanSports ScienceMalay

Technical and vocational

CodeSubject (Official name)Subject (English name)Examination language
3729PertanianAgricultureMalay
3759Lukisan KejuruteraanEngineering DrawingMalay
3760Pengajian Kejuruteraan MekanikalMechanical Engineering StudiesMalay
3761Pengajian Kejuruteraan AwamCivil Engineering StudiesMalay
3762Pengajian Kejuruteraan Elektrik dan ElektronikElectrical and Electronic Engineering StudiesMalay
3763Reka CiptaDesignMalay
3768Asas KelestarianBasics of SustainabilityMalay
3769Sains Rumah TanggaHome ScienceMalay
3770Sains KomputerComputer ScienceMalay
3771Grafik Komunikasi TeknikalTechnical Communication GraphicsMalay
7101Pembinaan DomestikDomestic ConstructionMalay
7102Membuat PerabotFurniture MakingMalay
7103Kerja Paip DomestikDomestic PlumbingMalay
7104Pendawaian DomestikDomestic WiringMalay
7105Kimpalan Arka dan GasArc and Gas WeldingMalay
7106Menservis AutomobilAutomobile ServicingMalay
7107Menservis MotosikalMotorcycle ServicingMalay
7108Menservis Peralatan Penyejukan dan Penyamanan UdaraAir-Conditioning ServicingMalay
7109Menservis Peralatan Elektrik DomestikDomestic Electrical Appliances ServicingMalay
7201Rekaan dan Jahitan PakaianDesign and TailoringMalay
7202Katering dan PenyajianCatering ServiceMalay
7203Pemprosesan MakananFood ProcessingMalay
7204Penjagaan Muka dan Penggayaan RambutFacial and Hair CareMalay
7205Asuhan dan Pendidikan Awal Kanak-KanakInfant Care and Early Childhood EducationMalay
7206Gerontologi Asas dan Perkhidmatan GeriatrikGeriatic ServicesMalay
7301Landskap dan NurseriNursery and LandscapeMalay
7302Akuakultur dan Haiwan RekreasiAquaculture and PetsMalay
7303Tanaman MakananFood and Crop CultivationMalay
7401Produksi Reka TandaSignage DesignMalay
7402Hiasan DalamanInterior DesignMalay
7403Produksi MultimediaMultimedia ProductionMalay
7404Reka Bentuk Grafik DigitalDigital Graphic DesignMalay

Removed subjects

Due to the switch from the KBSM syllabus to the KSSM syllabus in 2017, some subjects were removed. The list does not include courses that have minor changes in name only.

Old subject nameNew subject name
3775 Perdagangan3766 Perniagaan
3757 Ekonomi Asas3767 Ekonomi
3758 Ekonomi Rumah Tangga3769 Sains Rumah Tangga
3764 Engineering Technology3768 Asas Kelestarian
3765 Information and Communication Technology3770 Sains Komputer
3728 Sains Pertanian3729 Pertanian
4571 Pengetahuan Sains Sukan4572 Sains Sukan
Terminated subjects
4581 Applied Science
6355 English for Science and Technology

Results

When releasing the results, only the letter grades (and not the actual scores) are revealed to the candidates. Candidates may request a remarking (regrading) if they suspect errors in the original marking. Although no list of rankings is released to the public, the names of the top ranked students in the country and in each state are released to the press. [7]

Since 2010, the Ministry of Education has imposed a ten-subject limit on every candidate while lowering the minimum number of subjects from eight to six. Students are allowed to take two additional subjects (from Arabic, Chinese, Tamil, Iban, Kadazandusun languages and Bible Knowledge) but they will not be considered for government scholarships. [8]

Grade system

Candidates are assigned grades based on their scores in each subject. The exact grading scale used every year has never been made public.

Since 2009, the grading system ranged from A+ (the highest grade) to G (for gagal or fail; F is not used). The previous system assigned a grade point and a letter to each range, with 1A ("1" being the grade point and "A" the letter grade) as the highest and 9G the lowest. [9] The Kepujian (Pass-With-Credit) grade is equivalent to the UK GCSE Pass-With-Credit grade as stated on the back of the certificates.

2000–2008From 2009Grade valueDescription
N/AA+0Cemerlang Tertinggi (Highest Distinction)Cemerlang

Pass With Distinction

1AA1Cemerlang Tinggi (High Distinction)
2AA-2Cemerlang (Distinction)
3BB+3Kepujian Tertinggi (Highest Credit)Kepujian

Pass With Credit (UK GCSE Equivalent with said category)

4BB4Kepujian Tinggi (High Credit)
5CC+5Kepujian Atas (Upper Credit)
6CC6Kepujian (Credit)
7DD7Lulus Atas (Upper Pass)Lulus

Pass

8EE8Lulus (Pass)
9GG9Gagal (Fail)Gagal (Fail)

Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Ulangan (SPMU)

The Malay language (Bahasa Melayu) was slowly introduced into the national school system from 1960 but was only made a compulsory subject in 1970. Furthermore, a credit in Bahasa Melayu is essential in order to secure a seat in sixth form. One of the many problems associated with this change is that many "good" students were unable to continue their post-secondary education because of their examination result in Bahasa Melayu. In 1972, the BM failure rate was nearly 40%, and the July Paper was introduced as a solution so that students would be given a second chance to retake the paper. [10]

As time passed, changes were made in education policy and from the higher education institution standpoint. In 2013, history became the second compulsory subject. Many universities also required students to achieve at least C in Mathematics or, in some colleges, to achieve at least a passing grade. Because of this change and demand the examination syndicates announced that the history and mathematics papers would become available to retake along with the Bahasa Melayu paper in the SPMU. [11]

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References

  1. "Taklimat OSA" (PDF). Official Website of Legal Affairs Division of Prime Minister Department. Retrieved 9 March 2022.(in Malay)
  2. Berita Harian (in Malay) (4 March 2020). "SPM Will Use A New Format Next Year (Malay: SPM Guna Format Baharu Tahun Depan)". bharian.com.my. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  3. "Assessment Format for English Aligned for CEFR" (PDF). Examination Syndicates, Ministry of Education, Malaysia. Retrieved 9 March 2022.(in Malay)
  4. Ministry of Education Malaysia. "Secondary School Examination, Education Standpoint (In Malay: Pendidikan Sekolah Menengah, Hala Tuju Pendidikan)". Ministry of Education Malaysia. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  5. "Apa itu SPM?". MyExam.com. Retrieved 22 November 2011.(in Malay)
  6. "Secondary School Subjects". Ministry of Education, Malaysia. Retrieved 22 November 2011.(in Malay)
  7. Stamp of approval [ dead link ]
  8. "Languages and Bible Knowledge as electives". The Star Online . 25 December 2009.[ dead link ]
  9. "Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  10. Astro Awani (in Malay) (1 November 2017). "Fail BM Issue: It may hard to achieve A but is it so hard to pass? (in Malay)" . Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  11. Informasi UPUOnline (in Malay) (10 May 2022). "How to Retake SPM (in Malay)" . Retrieved 22 September 2022.