History
The SPM is equivalent to the British GCSE, and provides the opportunity for Malaysians to continue their studies to pre-university level. Up to 1978, the examination was handled by UCLES, which still advises the Malaysian Examinations Syndicate on standards. The English paper is separately graded by the national examination board and UCLES, and both grades will be displayed on the statement slip. On the real certificate, only the national examination board's grade is listed. The minimum requirement to get a certificate is a pass in both Bahasa Malaysia and Sejarah.
Generally, the SPM is taken at the age of 17, though students who attended pre-secondary school class would take it at the age of 18. Previously, students who successfully passed their Penilaian Tahap Satu (PTS) examination at Primary Three and chose to skip a year of primary school education would take their SPM a year earlier, at the age of 16. This was discontinued in 2000. Students who are taught at home generally take the SPM at some point at the end of their secondary education as well. The students must pass two compulsory subjects, specifically Sejarah and Bahasa Malaysia, to qualify themselves to be eligible to receive the examination certificate.
Read more about this topic: Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia
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