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]
History
The SPM allows Malaysians to continue their studies to the 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 predecessors of this exam were SPPTM (Sijil Pelajaran Persekutuan Tanah Melayu, which was started in 1962) and FMC (Federation of Malaya Certificate, which started in 1957) before the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.[4]
Subjects
Compulsory subjects
Certain subjects are mandatory for students. They are:[5][6]
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.
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
At the end of Form 3, Form 3 students are required to sit for the final exam — Ujian Akhir Sesi Akademik Tingkatan 3. Based on their result, performance and interest, students will be streamed into the streams that suit them the most for the following 2 final upper form years of schooling.
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.
*Chinese Language is compulsory for all SMJK students (Bahasa Cina)
Economics and business
Code
Subject (Official name)
Subject (English name)
Examination language
3754
Pengajian Keusahawanan
Entrepreneurial Studies
Malay
3766
Perniagaan
Business
Malay
3756
Prinsip Perakaunan
Principles of Accounting
Malay
3767
Ekonomi
Economics
Malay
Social Sciences and religion
Code
Subject (Official name)
Subject (English name)
Examination language
2280
Geografi
Geography
Malay
5226
Tasawwur Islam
Islamic Worldviews
Malay
5227
Pendidikan Al-Quran dan Al-Sunnah
Quran and Sunnah Studies
Malay
5228
Pendidikan Syariah Islamiah
Islamic Law Studies
Malay
5301
Hifz Al-Quran
Quran Recitation
Arabic
5302
Maharat Al-Quran
Quran Skills
Arabic
5303
Turath Al-Quran dan Al-Sunnah
Quran and Sunnah Classics
Arabic
5304
Turath Dirasat Islamiah
Islamic Studies Classics
Arabic
5305
Turath Bahasa Arab
Arabic Language Classics
Arabic
5401
Usul Al-Din
Foundational Islamic Theology
Arabic
5402
Al-Syariah
Islamic Law
Arabic
5403
Al-Lughah Al-'Arabiah Al-Mu'asirah
Arabic Language
Arabic
5404
Manahij Al-'Ulum Al-Islamiah
Islamic Logic
Arabic
5405
Al-Adab Wa Al-Balaghah
Arabic Literature and Rhetorics
Arabic
9221
Bible Knowledge
Bible Knowledge
English
Arts and health
Code
Subject (Official name)
Subject (English name)
Examination language
2611
Pendidikan Seni Visual
Visual Arts Education
Malay
2621
Pendidikan Muzik
Music Education
Malay
4572
Sains Sukan
Sports Science
Malay
Technical and vocational
Code
Subject (Official name)
Subject (English name)
Examination language
3729
Pertanian
Agriculture
Malay
3759
Lukisan Kejuruteraan
Engineering Drawing
Malay
3760
Pengajian Kejuruteraan Mekanikal
Mechanical Engineering Studies
Malay
3761
Pengajian Kejuruteraan Awam
Civil Engineering Studies
Malay
3762
Pengajian Kejuruteraan Elektrik dan Elektronik
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Studies
Malay
3763
Reka Cipta
Design
Malay
3768
Asas Kelestarian
Basics of Sustainability
Malay
3769
Sains Rumah Tangga
Home Science
Malay
3770
Sains Komputer
Computer Science
Malay
3771
Grafik Komunikasi Teknikal
Technical Communication Graphics
Malay
7101
Pembinaan Domestik
Domestic Construction
Malay
7102
Membuat Perabot
Furniture Making
Malay
7103
Kerja Paip Domestik
Domestic Plumbing
Malay
7104
Pendawaian Domestik
Domestic Wiring
Malay
7105
Kimpalan Arka dan Gas
Arc and Gas Welding
Malay
7106
Menservis Automobil
Automobile Servicing
Malay
7107
Menservis Motosikal
Motorcycle Servicing
Malay
7108
Menservis Peralatan Penyejukan dan Penyamanan Udara
Air-Conditioning Servicing
Malay
7109
Menservis Peralatan Elektrik Domestik
Domestic Electrical Appliances Servicing
Malay
7201
Rekaan dan Jahitan Pakaian
Design and Tailoring
Malay
7202
Katering dan Penyajian
Catering Service
Malay
7203
Pemprosesan Makanan
Food Processing
Malay
7204
Penjagaan Muka dan Penggayaan Rambut
Facial and Hair Care
Malay
7205
Asuhan dan Pendidikan Awal Kanak-Kanak
Infant Care and Early Childhood Education
Malay
7206
Gerontologi Asas dan Perkhidmatan Geriatrik
Geriatic Services
Malay
7301
Landskap dan Nurseri
Nursery and Landscape
Malay
7302
Akuakultur dan Haiwan Rekreasi
Aquaculture and Pets
Malay
7303
Tanaman Makanan
Food and Crop Cultivation
Malay
7401
Produksi Reka Tanda
Signage Design
Malay
7402
Hiasan Dalaman
Interior Design
Malay
7403
Produksi Multimedia
Multimedia Production
Malay
7404
Reka Bentuk Grafik Digital
Digital Graphic Design
Malay
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 name
New subject name
3775 Perdagangan
3766 Perniagaan
3757 Ekonomi Asas
3767 Ekonomi
3758 Ekonomi Rumah Tangga
3769 Sains Rumah Tangga
3764 Engineering Technology
3768 Asas Kelestarian
3765 Information and Communication Technology
3770 Sains Komputer
3728 Sains Pertanian
3729 Pertanian
4571 Pengetahuan Sains Sukan
4572 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.
2000–2008
From 2009
Grade value
Description
N/A
A+
0
Cemerlang Tertinggi (Highest Distinction)
Cemerlang
Pass With Distinction
1A
A
1
Cemerlang Tinggi (High Distinction)
2A
A-
2
Cemerlang (Distinction)
3B
B+
3
Kepujian Tertinggi (Highest Credit)
Kepujian
Pass With Credit (UK GCSE Equivalent with said category)
4B
B
4
Kepujian Tinggi (High Credit)
5C
C+
5
Kepujian Atas (Upper Credit)
6C
C
6
Kepujian (Credit)
7D
D
7
Lulus Atas (Upper Pass)
Lulus
Pass
8E
E
8
Lulus (Pass)
9G
G
9
Gagal (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]
References
↑ "Taklimat OSA"(PDF). Official Website of Legal Affairs Division of Prime Minister Department. Retrieved 9 March 2022.(in Malay)
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