# Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia

The Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), or the Malaysian Certificate of Education, is a national examination sat for by all Form 5 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.
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.
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. 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.

## 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 that was started in 1962) and FMC (Federation of Malaya Certificate which started in 1957) before the formation of Federation of Malaysia.

## Subjects
### Compulsory subjects

Certain subjects are mandatory for students. They are:
| Code | Subject (Official name) | Subject (English name) | Examination language |
| 1103 | Bahasa Melayu | Malay Language | Malay |
| 1119 | Bahasa Inggeris | English Language | English |
| 1223 | Pendidikan Islam | Islamic Education | Malay |
| 1225 | Pendidikan Moral | Moral Education | Malay |
| 1249 | Sejarah | History | Malay |
| 1449 | Matematik | Mathematics | English and Malay |
| 1511 | Sains | Science | English 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

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.

#### Science and mathematics

| Code | Subject (Official name) | Subject (English name) | Examination language |
| 3472 | Matematik Tambahan | Additional Mathematics | English and Malay |
| 4531 | Fizik | Physics | English and Malay |
| 4541 | Kimia | Chemistry | English and Malay |
| 4551 | Biologi | Biology | English and Malay |
| 4561 | Sains Tambahan | Additional Science | English 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

| Code | Subject (Official name) | Subject (English name) | Examination language |
| 2205 | Kesusasteraan Inggeris | English Literature | English |
| 2215 | Kesusasteraan Melayu Komunikatif | Communicative Malay Literature | Malay |
| 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 Language | Kadazandusun |
| 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 |
| 9303 | Bahasa Perancis (Français) | French Language | French |
| 9378 | Bahasa Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ) | Punjabi Language | Punjabi |
*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 |
| 5228 | 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.
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.

## 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. 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 | Description |
| N/A | A+ | 0 | Cemerlang Tertinggi (Highest Distinction) | Cemerlang Pass With Distinction |
| 1A | A | 1 | Cemerlang Tinggi (High Distinction) | Cemerlang Pass With Distinction |
| 2A | A- | 2 | Cemerlang (Distinction) | Cemerlang Pass With 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) | Kepujian Pass With Credit (UK GCSE Equivalent with said category) |
| 5C | C+ | 5 | Kepujian Atas (Upper Credit) | Kepujian Pass With Credit (UK GCSE Equivalent with said category) |
| 6C | C | 6 | Kepujian (Credit) | Kepujian Pass With Credit (UK GCSE Equivalent with said category) |
| 7D | D | 7 | Lulus Atas (Upper Pass) | Lulus Pass |
| 8E | E | 8 | Lulus (Pass) | 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.
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.