Is STPM the Right Pathway for You?

Why Study Form 6 to take the STPM Exam?

Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) is Malaysia’s version of the UK’s GCE A-Levels and is a Pre-University course recognised for entry into public universities (IPTA) in Malaysia. Choosing the right Pre-University course that fits you would mean that you have to ask yourself which methods of assessment best suit you? Learn more about what the STPM exam is like so that you can decide whether it is the right Pre-University programme for you.

Sijil was Certificate Tinggi previously (HSC). Persekolahan It known is as largely the Malaysia Higher considered (STPM) School equivalent to the GCE A level qualification in the UK and is accepted for entry into most reputable bachelor’s degree programmes in universities all over the world. In this new system, students who are not satisfied with their results in their first two semesters can retake the examinations at the end of the third semester. However, take note that if you fail in the third semester, you will waste a full year if you want to redo your exams.

With School Based Assessment, teaching and learning are integrated with assessment. SBA humanises assessment making schooling a cooperative enterprise between teachers and students. Through the new examination system, students will also have more opportunities to obtain better results. Students are allowed to improve on their first term and second term results by retaking these term examinations at the end of the third term. Students who do not obtain satisfactory results for the third term may also re-sit it.

STPM is divided into 3 parts, with each part consisting of ONE term (One part = One term)
School-based assessment (projects, practical) count for 20-40% of your total grade, whereas common or centralised examinations count for 60-80% of your grade, varying with each subject.

All students who have passed the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) are eligible to sit for the STPM, and will be automatically assigned a place in a government secondary school after the release of the SPM results.
There are 23 subjects that an STPM candidate can choose from, including the compulsory General Paper (Pengajian Am), with each subject consisting of two to four separate papers. All of the papers taken contribute to the final score.

However, students should take note that the STPM is one of the toughest exams in the world and if you don’t prepare for it, you won’t do well. In addition, due to the quota system, you may not get to study the degree course of your interest. The government will also choose which university that you would be placed at as well. 

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What is the STPM Exam Like?

In recent years the Malaysian Examinations Council (Majlis Peperiksaan Malaysia) launched the new STPM format, which will combine two forms of assessments and is similar to the A levels format, Students will go through a school- based assessment (20-40% of the final score) and a centralised examination (60-80% of the final score).

STPM is an open-list examination. This means that candidates can take any combination of subjects that they are interested in, as long as the subjects are offered by their school or institution.
Most government schools have specific streams geared towards arts or science; you can transfer to a different stream from what you start 0r are assigned to, but it is better to do so early on in the course, You can ask your school administration about the procedure.

Instead of siting for one big exam at the end of the 1.5 years, you will now have examinations at the end of each semester (three in total).Each semester consists of new subjects, and there are no repeats of subjects in the new semester unless you fail them

Apart from the subjects listed under the STPM syllabus, students will be required to sit for the Malaysian University English Test (MUET), a prerequisite to enter public universities.

Is the STPM Qualification Recognised Worldwide?

The STPM certificate is recognised by the Government of Malaysia, Department of Civil Service (JPA) and Cambridge Assessment, England.

Students who have obtained excellent results in the STPM examination and co-curriculum are qualified to apply to further their education in local and overseas institutions of higher learning.

The STPM certificate is also recognised by the JPA for STPM leavers to assume posts in the government services.

What are the Entry Requirements into Form 6 in Malaysia?

The general requirement for entry into Form Six is pass SPM examination with credit in Bahasa Malaysia. For students to qualify entry into the Social Science stream, the number of units for three best subjects must not exceed 12, as for entry into the Science stream, this number must not exceed 18 units while for entry into Religious Studies, it must not exceeding 14 units.

All applications can be made online and candidates who do not get an offer can appeal to the respective State Education Departments.

How long is Form 6?

In the new system, the duration of form six studies is similar to the previous system which is based on one-and-a half years of form six studies comprising the lower and upper six form.

The allocation of teaching periods remains the same: eight periods per week for each subject (one period = 40 minutes). 

What is the Form 6 School Term Like?

a.       Term 1 : May to November

• 26 weeks including :
• Teaching and Learning
• Coursework (for certain subjects)
• Term 1 Examination (P1)

b.       Term 2: January to May

• 20 weeks including :
• Learning and Teaching
• Coursework (for certain subjects)
• Term 2 Examination (P2)

c.      Term 3 : May to November

• 26 weeks including :
• Learning and Teaching
• Coursework (for certain subjects)
• Term 3 Examination (P3), Repeat Examination 1 (U1), and Repeat Examination 2 (U2)

Contents of the curriculum are divided into 3 sections according to grouping of topics or according to the suitability of the respective fields of study to accommodate the three terms namely, P1, P2 and P3 for a duration of the 1 ½ years course.

Who Should Study STPM?

Form 6 is right for you if

• you prefer an exam-based course
• you want a cheap and affordable Pre-University course
• you want to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Malaysia’s public university
• you want an affordable degree studies at the government university

How is the STPM Exam Assessed?

Students will go through a school-based assessment with a weighting of 20-40% of the final score and a centralised examination with a weighting of 60-80% of the final score (The weighting varies according to subjects).

Nevertheless, School Based Assessment (SBA) cannot be repeated and repeaters are required to sit for an alternative written paper in place with SBA.

The curriculum is divided into three parts based on topic areas. Each part will be taught and studied in either the first, second or third term. You will take the examinations at the end of each term (3 in total). One term is 6 months. Students who are not satisfied with their results for the first two terms can retake the examinations at the end of the third term.

Students’ assessment will be carried out each term with the results being released at the end of each respective term. The overall STPM results will be based on the best combined results of the three terms. Soft skill such as communication skills, teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, problem solving, information management and ethics are included in the new curriculum.

• School-Based Assessment (SBA) for the STPM
  • The introduction of SBA in this system is in line with the aspiration of the Education Ministry to develop human capital who embrace intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and physical values in line with the National Educational Philosophy.
  • The SBA consists of project work, field study and practical work. The coursework question/task is prepared by the Council and will be conducted either over three terms or as determined by the individual subject requirements.
• Examination
  • A centralised written examination is administered at the end of each term. Question types consist of multiple choice, structured and essay questions. Question papers are prepared and provided by the Council, and the marking of answer scripts will be carried out by Council-appointed examiners.

Assessment is conducted through term end centralised examination (weightage 60% – 80%) and coursework (weightage 20% – 40%). The percentage of weightage differs according to subject.

Students must sit for the term end centralised examinations P1, P2 and P3. Students are also required to do coursework. Students will receive their examination results every term.  They can improve their P1 and P2 results by sitting for U1 and/or U2 examinations.  Students must also complete the coursework. The assessment and examination results of the students are based on the results they obtained in all three terms. The overall STPM examination results are the best cumulative results of the 3 terms as follows:

Best Result   [(P1 or U1) + (P2 or U2) +P3 + coursework]

What are the Subjects that you can take in STPM?

List of STPM subjects (candidates can take a maximum of five subjects)

1. 900 General Paper (Pengajian Am) (compulsory)
2. 910 Malay Language
3. 911 Chinese Language
4. 912 Tamil Language
5. 913 Arabic Language (plus additional 15-minute oral test)
6. 920 Literature in English
7. 922 Communicative Malay Literature
8. 930 Syariah (offered in Malay only) 
9. 931 Usuluddin
10. 940 History
11. 942 Geography
12. 944 Economics
13. 946 Business Studies
14. 948 Accounting
15. 950 Mathematics (M) (cannot be taken with Mathematics T)
16. 954 Mathematics (T) (cannot be taken with Mathematics M) 
17. 956 Further Mathematics (must be taken with Mathematics T).
18. 958 Information and Communications Technology
19. 960 Physics
20. 962 Chemistry
21. 964 Biology
22. 966 Sports Science
23. 970 Visual Arts

Co-curricular Activities for Form Six Students in Malaysia

It is compulsory for all Form Six students to be involved in the co-curricular activities. 10% of the marks awarded will be based on the two highest marks obtained in the following areas:

• Clubs/societies
• Sports/games
• Uniform bodies

STPM Grading System

The grading system in the new STPM assessment system is similar to that of the previous STPM system. The score (question paper level) acquired by students for each term will be aggregated to determine the overall subject grade.

There is no prerequisite minimum pass grade in each term for students to qualify to continue their studies in the following term.

STPM uses a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) system. There are 11 grades, which are A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+ and D, with F as the failing grade. The grade points for each of these grades are between 4.0 and 1.0, A being 4.0 and D- being 1.0.

The F grade gives a grade point of 0. From year 2012 onwards, CGPA point for each subject is known as Subject Grade Point (SGP) meanwhile the overall CGPA point for all subjects will be known as “Overall Subject Grade Point”.

In accordance with the implementation of modular system in STPM from year 2012 onwards, MEC will implement a new assessment system for each STPM subjects.

Cumulative and subject GPA at 2.0 and above is considered a pass with credit or principal pass.

GPA below 2.0 is considered a sub-fail, and a 0 is considered a fail. Admissions to local public universities requires at least a CGPA of 2.0 and above.

*Subject Grade Point (SGP)

How much does it Cost to Study the STPM?

Examination fees for four or/and five subjects are waived for all government schools and government aided school candidates with the exception of private school candidates and private candidates.

What is MUET?

MUET is an English proficiency test that is recognised by public universities in Malaysia and Singapore. It is an examination set and run by the Malaysian Examinations Council, and consists of four components:

Component.     Maximum score
Listening                   45
Speaking                   45
Reading                   120
Writing.                     90

MUET scores are graded in six bands, with Band 6 being the highest and Band 1 being the lowest:

• Band 6 Very good user (Aggregated score: 260-300)
• Band 5 – Good user (Aggregated score: 220-259)
• Band 4 Competent user (Aggregated score: 180-219)
• Band 3 Modest user (Aggregated score: 140-179)
• Band 2- Limited user (Aggregated score: 101-139)
• Band1 Extremely limited user (Below 100)

MUET is administered thrice a year; in March, July, and November. The Listening, Reading and Writing tests are administered on the same day while the Speaking test is administered over two weeks. Candidates from public/private schools/institutions will be registered for MUET through their respective schools/institutions. Private candidates, on the other hand, can register for MUET online through MEC’s portal http://www.mpm.edu.my You can visit the link for more information, registration dates and to check your MUET results.