THE SPM EXAMINATION

The Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), or the Malaysian Certificate of Education, is a national examination taken by all fifth-year secondary school students in Malaysia, equivalent to eleventh grade in American's K–12 (education). It is set and examined by the Malaysian Examinations Syndicate (Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia).

SPM is equivalent to the O-Level and is the second last public examination at the secondary school level before the entry into a tertiary level education at a university or other higher education institutions. The Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), being a pre-university study and equivalent to the A-Level, is the last public examination at the secondary school level. Other available pre-university studies in Malaysia include matriculation, foundation study, A-Level, etc., which are conducted at a college or university.

How SPM Is Conducted?

This assessment include about 7 to 11 subjects, where the students are required to take additional subjects if they want. The quantity of test are results according to their main stream.

Students of all stream will placed in a hall they need to do those exams as scheduled.

Advantages of SPM

1.      Student who get their good results can pursue their higher education onwards.

2.      To promote competition among students. They work harder to improve their knowledge and skills. In this way they learn more.

3.      Excellent tools to determine the efficacy of teaching methods

Disadvantages of SPM

1.      high pressure on students,

2.      negative consequences for poorly performing schools

3.      not developing long-term thinking

4.      Too much of subjects

Ways to improve SPM

The subjects SPM examination should be lessen to avoid student’s pressure. The exam should be divided into 3 semester to lower the burden of students. The format should be the latest one and higher thinking level.