Secondary school subjects and examinations Malaysia

In Malaysia, Secondary School Education is informally divided into two parts: Lower Secondary (3 years - Form 1 to From 3) and Upper Secondary (2 years Form 4 to From 5). At the end of these two periods, all students have to sit for National Examinations.

Lower Secondary
Core subjects are compulsory for students and taught in all schools. Other subjects taught depend on schools and facilities available. At the end of 3 years (in Form 3), students take the Lower Secondary Evaluation examination (PMR in Malay).

Subject offered at lower secondary level are:

Core Subjects - Bahasa Melayu (Malay Language), English, Science, History, Geography and Mathematics

Choice Subjects - Islam Studies, Moral, Life Skills: Home Economics/ Agriculture / Entrepreneurship and Commerce/ Comprehensive, Selected European Languages and Mother Tongue (Chinese/Tamil)

Upper Secondary
Based on their PMR (lower secondary) results, pupils have several choices to pursue and continue their education. Upper Secondary is two years (Form 4 to Form 5).

     These choices are categorised into ‘streams’. There are four core subjects that all streams will have and is compulsory for student. The three main streams in Upper Secondary are: Academic Stream (Arts/Science), Technical and Vocational Stream, and Islamic Schools.

     Core subjects offered in all public schools are: Bahasa Melayu, English, Mathematics, Islamic Studies/ Moral/ History.

Academic Stream (Arts/Science) - Students choose between the two academic streams – Science Stream or Arts stream. If they choose the Science Stream, the subjects are Chemistry, Physics and Biology with Additional Mathematics and English for Science and Technology (EST).
Art Stream Students will take subjects such as Compound Sciences, History, Geography, Language and subjects like Accountancy or Commerce.

Some schools allow science stream students to take Accountancy or Commerce; other larger schools may offer Engineering Drawing and Engineering Technology.

Technical and Vocational Stream – students in the technical stream can choose one of the seven courses offered: Mechanical Engineering , Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Agriculture, Commerce, Food Management, Apparel Studies.

     Vocational stream students  can choose one of the course offered: Engineering Craftsmanship, Home Economics, Commerce, Computer Science, Agriculture.

     Students interested in technical and vocational stream can apply online at the Ministry of Education website. Places in these schools are usually limited.

Islamic Schools (Sekolah Agama) - Muslim students may elect to study Islamic studies at special Islamic Schools. 

All upper secondary students are required to take the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) at the end of the two years. This examination is used to determine admission to Form 6 or pre-universities, diploma courses or entry to private colleges or institutions. Most Malaysians job opportunities usually require a minimum of pass in the SPM examination.