STPM is an acronym that stands for Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, which is a standardized pre-university examination conducted in Malaysia. It is the General Certificate of Education Advanced Level qualification for Malaysian students, equivalent to the A-Levels in the United Kingdom or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
STPM is administered by the Malaysian Examinations Council (Majlis Peperiksaan Malaysia) and is taken by students after completing their secondary education. It serves as a crucial prerequisite for admission into local and international universities, allowing students to pursue further studies in various fields such as medicine, engineering, business, arts, and science.
The STPM examination usually spans over two years, comprising two semesters or terms: Semester 1 in the first year and Semester 2 in the second year. It covers a wide range of subjects, including Mathematics, Sciences, Arts, and Commerce. Students are required to choose and take a minimum of three subjects and a maximum of five. Some common subjects offered in STPM include General Studies, History, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, and Mathematics.
Grading in STPM is based on a cumulative GPA (Grade Point Average) system, with each subject carrying a certain number of credit hours. The final results are determined by combining the scores obtained in every subject, allowing students to obtain a single overall GPA. The STPM qualification is highly regarded by Malaysian universities and is widely recognized internationally.
