STPM FAQ II

Update: Oops, BooNBoX answered all these questions faster than me! Since I've answered them, I post my answers as the comment. Thank you BooNBoX, you're a good contributor!

Hi skarekrow, I'm Chong, one of the upper sixth formers this year. Let me try to answer your questions. ;-)

Q1: How long do I need to wait in order to switch streams?
Q2: Must I wait until everyone begin their studies, only then I'm allowed to switch streams?

A1&2: No, you don't have to wait. What you need to do is to tell the teacher-in-charge that you want to choose Art stream instead of Science stream on the first day you register yourself for the lower sixth form. Then, your teacher will give you a form to fill up and submit it back to her or him. In my friend case, she moved to the Art class immediately after the orientation week. She missed no class since both Science and Art streams started the classes only after the orientation week. Please take note that the offer letter (surat tawaran) that you will receive approximately two weeks before the lower sixth form open will mention that you're offered to study form six in Science stream since you're a Science stream student during your SPM.

Q3: Am I allowed to take up to 5 subjects for STPM? (but I would try not take up that much since I'm just average, not that brilliant like many people out there...)

A3: Yes, as a STPM candidate, you're allowed to take maximum five subjects (minimum four). The subjects that often be taken by some STPM candidates as the fifth subject are Chinese Language (Bahasa Cina), Tamil Language (Bahasa Tamil) and Further Mathematics T. Also, only the best four of the five subjects that you've taken will be calculated for your CGPA. Read this post under the BooNBoX's reply for useful information on this.

Q4: I would like to study Accountancy for STPM but my school doesn't provide and teach the subject. What are my choices/options to overcome this problem?

A4: If that's your case, I'd suggest you to apply to be transferred to another school which offers Accountancy for STPM. If school transferring is no possible, you should go tuition for the subject. I've a lot of friends that went tuition for Account Principle (Prinsip Akaun) during their SPM since they're Physics-Biology-Chemistry students and our school doesn't offer that subject in the Science stream packages. And yes, they did get A1 for the additional subject - SPM Prinsip Akaun.

Q5: I would like to enter a degree course in Accounting and Finance. Do I need to study the Accounting subject in STPM in order to qualify me a place in an university degree course?

A5: I think the answer will be a yes. But I'd suggest you to check the enrollment qualification details for Accounting and Finance. Searching for the information online will help.

Q6: Will I face any problems if I wanted to study Accountancy during Form Six since I'm in the science stream during Form Four and Five and have not taken the Accountancy subject during that period?

A6: I've a friend that had changed her stream from SPM Science to STPM Art and she had no problem mastering Accountancy. She's a SPM straight As student and her STPM result will be available in March this year.

Q7: Will I face any problems during Form Six in subject like Maths since it's been taught in English? (while I've been studying Maths in Malay since many years ago)

A7: Please read this post. It depends on your mastery of English language. I find that I'm comfortable to study Science and Mathematics subjects in English now though I don't have sound mastery of English.

Q8: Will I face any problems in my university studies since courses in universities are being taught in English while STPM subjects like Accountancy, Business Studies, and Economics are being taught in Malay?

A8: Same as A7. Since you can't avoid it, why don't you accept it and do your best to overcome the problems faced in learning these subjects in English?

Cheers!

A very 'BIG THANK YOU' to both Boon Ming and Chong... You guys are so helpful! I really needed all these informations about STPM when I stumbled upon Malaysian Students... I can't really find out anything about STPM on the Internet. Not much informations available. I was so desperate that I visited Wikipedia and typed in 'STPM'. And then I scrolled down the webpage, and saw a link about STPM Maths and that particular link brought me here... I'm really thankful to you all for helping me out so much. Thanks again and take care!!!

-Skarekrow- =)

Bitte Schön !!!

Just finished my German tutor today... tired... ZzzZzzz Anyway wish you all the best !!! Good luck!!!

Based on my own personal experience, I would like to add on my comments for the following questions:

Q4: I would like to study Accountancy for STPM but my school doesn't provide and teach the subject. What are my choices/options to overcome this problem?

A: You MUST engage with a good tuition teacher especially if you were a Science stream student without having any basic in Accounting. If you are not able to catch up in lower six, my advice is find a replacement subject.


Q5: I would like to enter a degree course in Accounting and Finance. Do I need to study the Accounting subject in STPM in order to qualify me a place in an university degree course?

A: I agree it's depending on the IPTA requirement. However, if you are thinking of going into IPTA like UM or UKM (with higher requirement), you have to ensure an EXCELLENT CGPA (regardless you have taken Accounting or not)to get a place in their BBA (Hons) programme. In UM or UKM (sorry I'm not sure about others), only those with first class result will be allowed to major in Accountancy while those with at least second upper class will be allowed to major in Finance.

To motivate youself in STPM, always remember the reason why you study in Form 6; to secure a place in university. It's two years of gruelling intensive studies and perhaps no play. Study very hard so that you have more options i.e course and university. If you are aiming for Accountancy programme, you have to go the extra mile in STPM. It's always possible through hard work. All the best!

Sorry, I left this out in the previous post.

In UM or UKM, only those with first class result (in the first year) will be allowed to major in Accountancy while those with at least second upper class will be allowed to major in Finance.

hi..can i ask something..i needed to know weather accounting for STPM is in english or in malay?

All Science and Mathematics subjects are offered in English:
Mathematics S, Mathematics T, Further Mathematics T, Computing, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

Meanwhile, the following subjects are offered in Malay:
Pengajian Am, Bahasa Melayu, Kesusasteraan Melayu, Sejarah, Geografi, Ekonomi, Pengajian Perniagaan, Perakaunan and Seni Visual.

may I ask a simple question,

if my CGPA is above 2.0 which is the minumum requirement to enter local U, but I failed my Mathematics T.

Is it possible for me to apply for the entrance to U with that F in my Mathematics T with other sufficient results for other subjects?

I'm just told that as long as PA doesn't go below C.

Thank you!

to anonymous:

as long as you meet the minimum requirement you stand a chance to get into the university.. Malaysia's sophisticated and excellent 'lottery' style allocation can't even guarantee a straight As for a desired place.. so don't expect high when you tried to apply for courses that are competitive...

i have a friend who had the same situation as you mentioned, he scored 2 and above but he failed his Maths... in the end he ended up getting no place in university, perhaps i guess Maths is quite important? anyway every year it's different ... so don't give up your hope...

Greetings.I'm Paulina here currently just finished my SPM.Now I have difficulties to decide between two courses.A-levels or STPM.Honestly,I feel depressed whenever I think about my cliques going college and some of them had started today already.And Im left here undecided.Well,I have read all the comments regarding about STPM.I feel its a good pathway to choose.But im afraid that I cant cope up with the amount of stress where I will face.Like i did in SPM with stress I cant do well.So I hope that some advises here can help me to face STPM strongly.But there's something I wanna ask.If i wanna change school as well as stream,how do I do so?Thank you a lot.

Read this comment to learn how to change your subject stream. Read this comment to learn how to apply for school change.

hello, I m new here.. I just wanna ask,issit possible to go in to form 6 after JUNE?? cause I m going to NS for the second batch.. if I plan to study physic, chem issit possible to study pharmacy after form 6?

1)Issit possible to go in to form 6 after JUNE?? cause I m going to NS for the second batch..

What I can suggest you is that you defer your NS until the end of your STPM exam which is after Form 6. If not mistaken the current educaiton system of Malaysia will take into consideration the starting date of the Form 6 students undergo NS. Consult the school of the starting date of Form 6 and if it would be too late after NS, I suggest you make a deferment. I have friends who deferred their NS until after STPM or some even after university (but they are still studying in university lah.. ;) going to do it after university maybe?)

That's what I can advise. Do consult the latest news from the correct party.

2)if I plan to study physic, chem issit possible to study pharmacy after form 6?

Please look at the LATEST requirement of the subjects to enter into courses offered by local university of your choices. I just can say based on my year, it is possible to study pharmacy with physics and chemistry but only limited to certain universities I think. I can't remember clearly already. haha... Better consult the Local University Admission Office (Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi) for more details...

One IMPORTANT ADVICE is that you shouldn't listen to ONLY ONE party as some may be providing misguiding information. For whatever decision you are making, make sure you are clear of the choices. ;)

Hope it helps... All The Best!!

Hi everyone, I'm new here. I need some advice on should I study form 6 or a-levels?

The problem is, my SPM result is pretty bad, especially in Bio coz mayb I plan to take up dentistry..
BM - A1
BI - A2
P.Moral - A1
Sejarah - A2
Maths - A1
Add Maths - A1
Physics - B3
Chemistry - A2
Biology - B3
EST - B3
GCE-O - C5
I don't know whether I could cope up with the difficult studies in form 6. I wasn't sure what I want to do in my life, always lack of self confidence and easily get influenced with what people say.. and because of that I lost the chance to register for matriculation...

My elder brother then introduced dentistry course to me that have a high salary income and I'll have a good future with it since I have no ambition. He chose pharmacy (from Asean scholarship) also because of lack of ambition and just target for high salary jobs.

I heard that even non-bumiputra students with good result for STPM and active participation in co-curriculum could not get in local universities and end up studying other course. Dentistry course is famous, and people say it will be very, very hard to get in local universities with the course I want. If I get in form 6 and have an average result and local Unis does not want to accept me, what should I do?

I mean, of course I can continue on with private Uni but the fees is very expensive and I'm from a middle class family,(dad retired, mum working only) I don't have the money to study then. So my mum wants me to further my studies in form 6 because it is so much cheaper than college but I don't know if I can do well in form 6 and enter local uni or not coz fyi, I'm 100% addicted to internet, com games & tv and have the habit of slacking + last minute revising for exams since form 2...

She'll go on saying, "Neh, see your cousins la, result not that good also can get in local Unis, so why not u??", "Don't take up dentistry la.. U'll have to see their infected gums and dirty teeth everyday, I'll scared u'll faint from hunger..". I felt that my cousins are completely LUCKY to have a place there.. Everytime I discuss with my mum about what career I'll do, she'll want me to follow my elder brother's footstep to become a pharmacist too then in the end saying 'you like la'. Forget bout my dad, he's completely clueless on what his children are doing.

I told everything to my elder brother who I have always look up to, he told me if I really want to be a dentist, go on with A-levels, don't worry about the money because we can always have it back after we start working. My mum have the money but she will have a hard time taking care of the family's expenses.

I felt so terrible that my mum had high hopes for me to get in local uni at the same time helping her to save a large amount of money but i'm not confident enough to fulfill her wish. I'm so confused and felt so useless and stupid... Please, PLEASE give me an opinion or an advise. I'm really desperate in this situation.

I'm sorry for the bad English...
Thank you in advance.

- alexis17

BM - A1
BI - A2
P.Moral - A1
Sejarah - A2
Maths - A1
Add Maths - A1
Physics - B3
Chemistry - A2
Biology - B3
EST - B3
GCE-O - C5
First of all, why Dentistry? Is it because people say it's a nice course and you'll earn much when you work as a dentist later? Or is it your dream to be a dentist? Take some time to think about it...

Honestly, you may consult your brother, see how well he did in his course so far... You won't want to study something that you are not interested in for 4 years !!!! Seriously you want to think about this wisely. Dentistry is one competitive course of course! To get into local university is even harder!

Studying form 6 prepares you for universities around the world. No doubt that dentistry is one VERY COMPETITIVE course in Malaysia, hence if you're planning to study dentistry, you may consier of going overseas when your results doesn't allow you to study locally. It's true that many EXCELLENT STUDENTS still cannot get into local university. Be prepared...

Stepping into Form 6 means you will really need to start working hard and making your life more discipline because no one s going to ask you to study unless you start studying by yourself. I still remember that my class... we were like motivating each other, sometimes we played but until some point we would start studying and everyone of us was so happy that we were in the same class!! So, you may find a suitable class/school/partners during your STPM time to motivate you to study from time to time...

Well... my mother said tat too but in the end she'd say "in the end, it all depends on you lah..." and we had had never imagined that I'd make myself into Singapore uni with grants and loans and be financially-independent from my family. I am from middle-class family too and won't have enough to support my studies here but try to look around for opportunity. Browse through the scholarships and spend more time on this. Don't just wait there and blame everything else that won't help you...

Your brother's advice...hmm... I can't totally agree with him. Firt just plan financially, will your family be financially stable if they planned to support you to study dentistry in private or overseas? Check out the prices and start discussing with yur parents. If not mistaken the tuition fees and living allowance may shoot up to RM400k to RM600k depends on where you study (for 5 to 6 years). "Don't worry about the money" is one irresnposible advice since this course takes a whole sum of money and it's not cheap at all!!! You may browse through the scholarships available to ease your burden too... Be wise in making decision ...

My family... once... felt the same way too because they've seen a lot of other relatives' sons or daughters got into loca uniersities and made a lot of money ... but when I got into Singapore uni. They've changed their mindset... They see things widely. They even become proud that they need not to be financially-supporting me and still I could manage to study here.. Try to tell them that local uni is not the only way to complete tertiary studies "cheaply".. there are lots of ways!!

you may leave your comment at my personal website boonming.wordpress.com or email me directly should you have further confusion...

All the best!

one more thing to add on, if you are taking loans by yourself to study... that's another case... this case may look weird in Asia that people take loans to study instead of being debt-free when you're graduate...

In western country this is so common because the youngsters do not want to use up their parents money and so they would take loans for their studies and repay them when they are working later...

so for me i do feel that taking loans for study is ok and should be one method to cover your expenses...

sorry BoonBox, i would like to tell you that there are questions that have not been answered on the post "STPM blues".

I think they need answers urgently.
Thanks.

hey...i need studying suggestions on subjects like bio chem n maths 4 stpm..how do you study months before d exam..n expect to remember them??

hello there,
In SPM i didn't take physic,Chemistry and Biology so i ended up in Art Stream the question is can i change the stream to Science Stream?

Hello everyone.. I have question.. its all been confusing me for a long time since i finish my stpm.. I manage to get A in my pengajian am, C for my Biology,D+ for my Chemistry and D for my T Math.. Do i stand a chance to enter local university?.....:(