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Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Pre-university Programme: Canadian Pre-University / Matriculation

Posted by Erlina

Pre-university Programmes Overview: Form Six, Matriculation, A-level, AUSMAT, SAM, ICPU, IB, Foundation

Canadian Pre-University / Matriculation


The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (Grade 12) from Canada is a recognized qualification for entry into universities in Canada and most universities in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Private institutions of learning in Malaysia offer the diploma through the following programs:
  • International Canadian Pre-University (ICPU)
  • Canadian International Matriculation Program (CIMP)

Entry Requirements
SPM, O-levels or its equivalent with 5 credits including English, mathematics / science.

Duration
1 year

Intake
January, March and July

Fee
RM15,000 – RM 18,000

Subjects
Candidates must pass:
  • 7 subjects, including English
  • An official external literacy test
Subjects include:
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Biology
  • Economics
  • Advanced functions and calculus
  • Geometry an discrete mathematics
  • Mathematics and data management
  • Principles of financial accounting
  • Organizational studies – organizational behavior and human resources
  • Analyzing current economic issues
  • English
  • Computer and information science
  • Geography –world issues
  • World history – the west and the world
  • Law – Canadian and international law
  • Individuals and families in a diverse society
  • Challenge and change in society
  • Introduction to international business

In addition, students are also required to take 3 subjects stipulated by MQA. Students are also required to dedicate themselves to 10 hours of community service.

Assessment
A student’s final grade is based on coursework (70%) and a final examination (30%). Coursework is carried out throughout the program and includes assignments, quizzes, attendance, participation in class and class tests.


► Read more on Pre-university Programme: Canadian Pre-University / Matriculation

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Taylor’s University College Open Day

Posted by Chong

If you visited Malaysia Students blog frequently in the last two weeks, you would have seen ad banners promoting Taylor’s University College open day (December 5 – 7, 2008). So last Saturday, I paid a visit to Taylor’s University College, Subang Jaya campus to find out more about this reputable private education institution in Malaysia.
Taylor's University College, Subang Jaya

I took a taxi from KTM Subang Jaya station to Taylor’s since it is located near to the station, which is an advantage for students who don’t plan to bring own vehicle when studying at Taylor’s. In fact, when going back, I walked from Taylor’s to the KTM station and it took me just 10 minutes.
Students waiting outside Lecture Theater before the next talk commenced

It was a very happening open days with a lots of talks by professionals and activities running concurrently. The first talk that I attended was Pre-U Studies: “Your Foundation to Success”. In the talk, representative from Taylor’s explained the four pre-u programmes that are being offered at Taylor’s – Cambridge A Level, South Australian Matriculation (SAM), International Canadian Pre-U (ICPU) and Foundation in Science – in great details. The talk ended with experience sharing by ex-Taylor’s students who are now very successful in their degree programmes.
The Pre-U talk
Education counselors and students

After that, I went for Hospitality & Tourism: “Career Prospects & Management Development in the Tourism Industry” by Mr Rohizat Baharum, Director of Human Resource, Convex Malaysia Sdn Bhd, KL Convention Centre.
Students paying attention to the talk
Mr Rohizat giving talk

It was an insightful talk where Mr Rohizat talked about the prospects of tourism industry in Malaysia. Also, he shared with us the selection criteria, interview selection process, performance management, training and development of KLCC.
Hitz.fm crew's visit made this open day a happening one
Creative Chillout

Between the talks, I went to the Creative Chillout where artistic art work is exhibited and creative culinary skills are demonstrated. I find the talk on Exploring Science of Cooking by Pierre - Louis Genier, lecturer of Taylor’s, very fun and creative and was amazed to learn a bit of molecular gastronomy – which is science in food preparation – the new wave in cuisine.
Art work exhibition
Creative chefs at workThe swan was made from sugar. The biscuits taste great!

The following talk that I attended was the highlight of the day, Communication: “Not Just A Pretty Face – Challenges of An Actor and TV Host” by Allan Wu, the host of The Amazing Race Asia Season 3. He shared with us his experience in hosting the reality TV show and a bit on his personal life. As a father of two, he also talked on how he manages his time between work and family. It was really an entertaining and educational talk which Allan Wu shared his life experience.
Allan Wu, the Host of The Amazing Race Asia

My favourite session is the last talk, Computing: “Unveiling the Secret of Success in ICT Career at MNCs” by Mr Pang Yee Beng, Managing Director of Dell Asia Pacific. He shared with us the 8 leadership competencies – engage (customer first, personal effectiveness, engage other), execute (inclusive, decide, simplify) and excel (drive strategy, innovate) – and his valuable experience in climbing up the career ladder from a fresh graduate with University Sains Malaysia (USM) Computer Science degree to current position.
Mr Pang from Dell Asia Pacific

Overall I think Taylor’s Open Day was very educational and informative. I enjoyed every talks and learnt a lot of effective tips for personal development from renowned speakers from the industry like Mr Pang.

For those who missed the open day, you are invited to go to Taylor's Campus Day on this Saturday and Sunday (December 13 & 14, 10am - 5pm). Visit Taylor's University College website for more information.

Taylor's Campus Day
Date: 13 & 14 Dec 2008
Time: 10am - 5pm
Venue:
Taylor's University College, Subang Jaya
Taylor's College, Sri Hartamas
Taylor's College, Petaling Jaya - only on 14 Dec 2008


► Read more on Taylor’s University College Open Day

Friday, December 05, 2008

Advertorial: Building Blocks to a Career in Science

If you’ve always wanted to pursue a career in a science-related field, be it medical, engineering or pure sciences, consider taking up a foundation course in science.

Many students choose to take up a common pre-university programme like A Levels or SAM after Form 5 as a pre-requisite before continuing on to tertiary studies. A Levels and SAM are popular because it’s been around in Malaysia for a long time and most people are familiar with it.

Such programmes also offer a general combination of subjects. This is very convenient for those who are undecided about their degree majors as they could use their time during pre-u studies to discover themselves better.

However, there are some who are already sure of what field to go into after pre-u. If you are thinking about pursuing a degree in a science-related field, then you may be interested to know more about another practical option available.

A foundation programme is like a pre-university programme which is catered to the field of study or institution of higher learning you wish to pursue after you complete. For example, let’s say you’ve already decided to go to Melbourne University, Australia for your degree. Then, it makes real sense to take up the foundation course offered by Trinity College that leads straight to the university after completion.

If you really weigh the pros and cons, doing a foundation course before tertiary studies is a really cool option!

5 Reasons To Do a Foundation Programme

What are the benefits of taking a foundation programme?
  1. It’s a 1-year programme, so it is a faster and more direct pathway

  2. It leads you directly to the degree major or institution you would like to link to

  3. Like its name, it provides a good foundation with the basic subjects that are relevant to your degree

  4. You will most likely be tested on almost equal percentage of ongoing coursework and final exams.

    This is great because of two points: (1) your future will not depend entirely upon the final exam results, and (2) this format is closer to the study structure in university.

  5. Best of all, it is one of the cheaper options compared to some popular pre-u programmes!

Read on to know what some students from the Foundation in Science (FIS) course at Taylor’s University College have to say about their course and experience:

Taylors University CollegeBuddies in science… (L-R) Sia Ming Yan, Louis Poh, Dillon Sarim & Tommy Chua

Pass with flying colours
“I have grown a lot since I joined this course 3 months ago. Being so different from secondary school, I struggled very hard to adapt to the course at first. But after 2 months, I began to catch up with the routines of this course and started doing well. I am learning new things every day. It is my dream to graduate from Foundation in Science with flying colours. I think that I should be able to do it with help from teachers and also with my own effort.”
FIS Student, Sia Ming Yan's Group Presentation on Int Science Project

“One thing I like about the course is the opportunity to do our E-Portfolio. It is one of the best ways introduce myself to future employers because it contains details of my resume, goals, aims, academic skills and much more. I can set my academic goals and let employers see how determined I can be and how I plan to develop myself.”

~ Sia Ming Yan, 18
Biggest change in meTaylors Students Doing ResearchTaylors Students Doing Research
“I was a very quiet and cool person before. But after 3 months, I found myself turning into a very talkative person. To give an example, for our integrated science project on the topic Fruit Batteries and Its Potential, I learned to overcome my panic and fear of giving presentations. My communication and presentation skills have improved tremendously and I have become good at persuasion and debates.”

“Doing this course has also taught me to manage my time properly, do research work, increase my computer literacy and brush up on my practical skills. These skills gave me the confidence to face difficult times like sitting for exams. To manage my time, I prepare a timetable and discipline myself to follow it in order to complete my to-do list. I am very happy to have bettered myself in many areas and to learn so many things in this course.”

~ Louis Poh, 18
A better human being
“Entering Taylor’s has changed me a lot, not just academically but also as a person. Now, I know the important meaning of friendships. Having a small class is an advantage because we really get to know each other very well and we get full attention from our lecturers. I am also learning a lot of soft skills from my lecturers and my peers. I need to think in a mature way in order to keep improving. Being trustworthy and responsible is the way to success. A very special word of thanks goes out to my lecturers and my peers.

~ Dillon Sarim, 18
Taylors Foundation in Science July 2008 BatchTaylors Foundation in Science July 2008 Batch

Not an ordinary programme
“At first I thought the Taylor’s Foundation in Science was just an ordinary course. Boy, was I wrong! As time went by, I found that it was a very well-rounded course – we were trained to do well in academic subjects but beyond that, we had to learn soft skills and do hands-on work in the different types of workshops. We attended workshops on time management, stress management, personal development, etc. I found that very useful and it really helped me to do better in my performance and grades. The lecturers are very knowledgeable and they are good mentors.”

~ Tommy Chua Jin Wei, 18

Foundation in Science by Taylor’s University College

The Foundation in Science offered by Taylor’s University College started with its pioneer batch of students in July 2008. The curriculum and assessment is developed by Taylor’s but fully monitored by the University of Melbourne, Australia.

At the end of this 1-year programme, students will receive a Certificate of Foundation in Science and will be able to qualify for first-year entry into medicine, biotechnology, engineering, pure science or even business.

The Foundation in Science qualification is recognised and accepted by all partner universities of Taylor’s University College.

Entry Requirements
SPM, O-levels or its equivalent with 5 credits including English and Math

* For those intending to do medicine, minimum B4 and above for Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math

Intakes January and July

Curriculum
The Foundation in Science programme consists of 2 semesters and subjects are offered in modules:

English 1
English 2
Statistics & Calculus
Organic Chemistry
Physical & Inorganic Chemistry
Fundamental Physics
Modern Physics
Compulsory MQA Subjects: Malaysian studies and Moral/Islamic studies

There are 2 streams available: (1) Health Sciences Stream (2) Engineering Sciences Stream.

Specific additional subjects catering to each stream are: a. Health Sciences stream
Cell Biology, Human Biology & Psychology

b. Engineering Sciences stream
Statistics & Calculus, Algebra & Geometry, Advanced Calculus and Mechanics

Students are also inculcated with soft skills and cognitive skills in line with Taylor’s Graduate Capabilities:
Foundations & skills for lifelong learning, Problem solving skills, Communication skills, Intrapersonal skills, Interpersonal skills, Cosmopolitan thinking & intercultural competence, Technology savvy

Teaching & Learning Methodologies
The Foundation in Science makes use of special teaching and learning methodologies such as:
  • Problem-based learning
  • Action learning
  • Project-based learning
  • Collaborative learning
  • Discovery learning
  • Generative learning
  • Simulations
  • Reciprocal teaching & many more

Assessment
50% of the assessment is based on course work and internal continuous assessment, while the other 50% on a final examination. Examination scripts and marking schemes are monitored by the University of Melbourne.

Pathways
After completing the Foundation in Science at Taylor’s, students may opt to continue their tertiary studies on any of the following pathways:
  • Direct entry into the University of Melbourne or RMIT degree programmes
  • Taylor’s School of Engineering – twinning programme with the University of Birmingham (Majors: chemical, electrical & electronic, mechanical. Optional majors: civil and biomedical)
  • Taylor’s School of Biomedical Sciences – twinning programme with University of Queensland, Australia (Majors: biomedical science or biotechnology)
  • Taylor’s School of Computing – twinning programme with RMIT University, Australia
  • Taylor’s Business School – twinning programme with the University of the West of England (UWE) or University of South Australia (UniSA)
Visit Taylor’s University College website for more information


► Read more on Advertorial: Building Blocks to a Career in Science

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Pre-university Programme: South Australian Matriculation (SAM)

Posted by Erlina

Pre-university Programmes Overview: Form Six, Matriculation, A-level, AUSMAT, SAM, ICPU, IB, Foundation

South Australian Matriculation (SAM)


The South Australian Matriculation (SAM) program is an internationally recognized 1 year matriculation program that is administered by the Senior Secondary Assessment Board of South Australia (SSABSA), a statutory authority of the South Australian government.

Students who successfully complete the SAM program are accredited with the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) and provided with a university entrance score that is used by universities around the world to select students for degree courses.

Entry Requirements
SPM, O level or its equivalent with 5 credits including English.

Intake
January and March

Fee
RM 8,550 - RM10,000

Subjects
The SAM program consists of 5 subjects. They are as follows:
  • English studies or English as Second Language (ESL)
  • The remaining subjects must include one subject from each from List 1 and List 2:
List 1
  • Chinese
  • Economics
  • English as second language
  • English studies
  • Legal studies
  • Malay
  • Modern history
List 2
  • Accounting studies
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Information technology studies
  • Mathematical methods
  • Mathematical studies
  • Specialist mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology
In addition to these subjects, students will have to study the compulsory MQA subjects which include: Malaysian studies, moral/Islamic studies and Bahasa Malaysia (exempted if a credit in Bahasa Malaysia has been obtained at SPM Level)

Assessment
It is important for students wishing to excel to consistently perform well in their course work as 50% of the final marks are from the coursework set and marked at college. The remaining 50% is based on the examination that is set and marked by the SSABSA. On top of that, students in the SAM program must also achieve s satisfactory score (10/20 or better) in either English studies or English as second language to obtain the qualification.


► Read more on Pre-university Programme: South Australian Matriculation (SAM)

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Pre-university Programme: Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT)

Posted by Erlina

Pre-university Programmes Overview: Form Six, Matriculation, A-level, AUSMAT, SAM, ICPU, IB, Foundation

Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT)


The Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT) is a popular pre-university program administered by the Curriculum Council of the Government of Western Australia which is responsible for the development and accreditation of courses of study for post compulsory schooling and for the assessment and certification of student achievement.

At the end of this 10 months program, students will be required to sit for the Tertiary Entrance Examination (TEE) which is equivalent to the Year 12 curriculum of Western Australia.

Entry Requirements
SPM, O-levels or its equivalent with 5 credits including English, mathematics / science.

Intake
January and March

Fee
RM 8,500 - RM 11,000

Subjects
The AUSMAT program consists of 5 subjects. They are as follows:
  • English studies or English as Second Language (ESL)
  • The remaining subjects must include one subject from each from List 1 and List 2:

List 1
  • Chinese
  • Economics
  • English
  • German
  • Malay

List 2
  • Accounting studies
  • Applicable mathematics
  • Calculus
  • Information systems
  • Human biology
  • Physics
  • Chemistry

In addition to these subjects, students will have to study the compulsory MQA subjects which include: Malaysian studies, moral/Islamic studies and Bahasa Malaysia (exempted if a credit in Bahasa Malaysia has been obtained at SPM Level)

Assessment
50% of the assessment is based on course work and the other 50% on an external examination, which is Tertiary Entrance Examination (TEE). The TEE is recognized by most universities around the world, especially Australia, as an entrance qualification for degree programs in various universities.


► Read more on Pre-university Programme: Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT)

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Pre-university Programme: A-level

Posted by Erlina

Pre-university Programmes Overview: Form Six, Matriculation, A-level, AUSMAT, SAM, ICPU, IB, Foundation

A-level (Advanced Level)


The General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level), more commonly known as the A-level, is usually taken by students after the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). One of the most widely recognized qualifications for entry into a degree program at universities worldwide; the GCE A-level is administered through a few examination boards. In Malaysia, most of the A-level programs are administered through the Cambridge International Examination (CIE) and Edexcel International.

In 2001, the A level was split into 2 phases – the AS (Advanced Subsidiary) and A2 examinations. Satisfactory achievement in units at both levels will then result in the award of an A level qualification.

The A level examinations are highly specialized and the minimum number of A levels required for entrance into universities is usually 3. Students should seek advice on the subject combination that they should take in order to pursue undergraduate degree programs after A Level.

Entry Requirements
SPM, O-levels or its equivalent with 5 credits including English, mathematics / science and a pass in Bahasa Melayu.

Duration
1 – 2 years (depending on which intake and college)

Intake
January, March and July

Fee
RM16,000 for 3 subjects and RM18,000 for 4 subjects

Subjects
The list of subjects offered in the A level programs differs slightly from one institutions to another. It is thus advisable to check with an institution before registering with it.

The more common subjects offered by most institutions are as follows:
  • General paper (compulsory)
  • Mathematics
  • Further mathematics (must be taken with mathematics)
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Accounting
  • Computing
  • Business studies
  • Economics
  • Law
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • English literature
  • Thinking skills
In addition to these subjects, students will have to study the compulsory MQA subjects which include : Malaysian studies, moral/Islamic studies and Bahasa Malaysia (exempted if a credit in Bahasa Malaysia has been obtained at SPM Level)

Assessment
With the introduction of the 2 phases, students wishing to obtain their A-level have to take the AS qualification in an examination session and the final part of the assessment (A2) in a subsequent session. These examinations are all set and marked by the CIE examiners.


► Read more on Pre-university Programme: A-level

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Pre-university Programme: Malaysia Matriculation (Program Matrikulasi)

Posted by Erlina (Updated 11 March 2013 by Editor)

Pre-university Programmes Overview: Form Six, Matriculation, A-level, AUSMAT, SAM, ICPU, IB, Foundation

Malaysia Matriculation (Program Matrikulasi)

Widely accepted for entry into a bachelor’s degree course at public universities, the local matriculation program (program matrikulasi) started in 1972 1980s and has seen great changes ever since.

Run by local universities and only offered to Bumiputra students previously, it is now run by the Ministry of Education with 10% of places in the program offered to non-Bumiputra students.

Matriculation Colleges
The colleges which matriculation students are sent to include:
  • Kolej Matrikulasi Melaka
  • Kolej Matrikulasi Labuan
  • Kolej Matrikulasi Negeri Sembilan
  • Kolej Matrikulasi Pulau Pinang
  • Kolej Matrikulasi Perlis
  • Kolej Matrikulasi Johor
  • Kolej Matrikulasi Perak
  • Kolej Matrikulasi Kedah
  • Kolej Matrikulasi Pahang
  • Kolej Matrikulasi Selangor
  • Kolej Mara Kuala Nerang
  • Kolej Mara Kulim
  • Kolej Matrikulasi Teknikal Kedah
  • Kolej Matrikulasi Teknikal Pahang
  • Kolej Matrikulasi Teknikal Johor
  • Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in Shah Alam, Selangor
  • University of Malaya (UM) in Kuala Lumpur
Entry Requirements
Science stream:
At least a credit (6C) in Bahasa Malaysia, English, additional mathematics and chemistry, and 1 more from any of these subjects – physics, biology and any technical subjects that are offered at vocational/technical schools.

Accounting stream:
At least a credit (6C) in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mathematics and accounting, and 1 more of any of these subjects – economics, science, commerce, physics, chemistry, biology, and any technical subjects that are offered at vocational/ technical schools.

Intake
The program offers 2 intakes. The first intake which is a 1 year program, begins in April while the second intake which is a 2 year program, begins in May. Students are not given an option to choose the type of intake or where they want to study as these factors are determined by the matriculation department in the Ministry of Education.

Fee
RM255 for the registration. Tuition fees and accommodation are fully sponsored by the government. Matriculation students are also given an allowance for the entire duration of their studies.

Programme Offered (Source: Wikipedia)
Prior to 2006, only one-year programmes are being conducted. Since then, four different programmes are offered. They are One Year Programme (PST, short for Program Satu Tahun in Malay), Two Year Programme (PDT, short for Program Dua Tahun in Malay), Technical Programme and Accounting Programme. Mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry and informatics science subjects are conducted in English. Other compulsory subjects are English, Dynamics Skills (Kemahiran Dinamika), Islamic/Moral Study and Information Technology. Students are also required to take up a co-curricular activity of their choice (sports/games, societies/clubs or marching band) during the programme.

One Year Programme (PST)
PST is a one year, two-semester programme. Students from science, technical and accounting background can register for this programme. Particularly, for students from science background, there are three different modules to choose from. The subjects offered in the three modules are:
  • Module I: Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Biology.
  • Module II: Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Computer Science.
  • Module III: Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and Computer Science. 
Two Year Programme (PDT)
PDT is a two-year, four-semester programme. Only students from science stream are involved in this programme. The same three modules from PST will be used, but students will be taught the same syllabus in a longer two-year time. This programme is meant to cater for students with lower academic achievement. This programme is only open for Bumiputera students.

Accounting Programme
This is a one-year, two-semester programme. The four subjects taught in the accounting module are Mathematics, Accounting, Business Study and Economy.

Technical Programme 
First introduced in academic session 2009/2010, this one-year, four-semester programme is only available for students from technical secondary schools, or students from secondary schools with knowledge and background in engineering technology. Students registered for the technical modules will study four subjects - Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, Physical Engineering and Engineering Study.

Assessment
Students are assessed constantly with a major exam at the end of each semester. Assignments and lab work are also taken into account in the final grade.


► Read more on Pre-university Programme: Malaysia Matriculation (Program Matrikulasi)

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Pre-university Programme: Form Six (Tingkatan Enam) STPM

Posted by Erlina

Pre-university Programmes Overview: Form Six, Matriculation, A-level, AUSMAT, SAM, ICPU, IB, Foundation

Form Six (Tingkatan Enam) STPM


The Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) examination, the major exam at the end of form 6, was established in 1982. It replaces the Higher School Certificate (HSC)/ Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan (STP) examination which was conducted by the Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate (UCLES).

Offered by many government schools, Form 6 lasts for approximately a year and a half, culminating in the STPM examination at the end of the program. The most common entry requirement for a bachelor’s degree course at local public universities and University College in Malaysia, the STPM is also accepted by most foreign universities. On top of that, it is also the cheapest pre-university option.

The STPM is set and run by the Malaysian Examination Council, which is also administers the Malaysian University English Test (MUET).

Entry Requirements
Generally, a pass in Bahasa Melayu in the SPM examination is required.

Science stream – a combination of points from mathematics and 2 science subjects which must not exceed 18 points.

Art stream – a combination of points from mathematics and any 2 subjects must not exceed 8 points.

Intake
April / May

Fee
Although examination fees were abolished, students still have to pay RM60 for their compulsory MUET test.

Subjects
The list of subjects offered in Form 6 is as follows:
  • General studies
  • Malay language
  • Chinese language
  • Tamil language
  • Arabic language
  • Literature in English
  • Malay literature
  • Syariah (Islamic Law)
  • Usuluddin (Islamic theology)
  • History
  • Geography
  • Economics
  • Business studies
  • Accounting
  • Mathematics S (may not be taken with Mathematics T)
  • Mathematics T (may not be taken with Mathematics S)
  • Further Mathematics T (may only be taken with Mathematics T)
  • Computing (only offered at certain schools)
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Sports science
  • Visual Art

Besides general studies, which is a compulsory subject, students can take up a maximum if 3 other subjects. Generally, most schools offering Form 6 allow students to opt for either the science stream or the arts stream. Apart from that, the schools also offer a fixed combination of subjects. Research well and check which school offers the subject combination that you want.

In addition to the subjects that you will be taking, you will also be required to sit for the Malaysian University English Test (MUET). This exam is designed to test the English language ability of students who wish to gain admittance into public institutions of higher learning.

Assessment
Science subjects:
3 papers per subject, with the third paper being the practical exam.

Non-science subjects:
2 papers per subject.

Mathematics subjects:
Mathematics S and Mathematics T shares a similar first paper which focuses on pure mathematics. However, in the second paper, Mathematics S will emphasize business mathematics while Mathematics T adopts a more science-related and statistical approach.

MUET:
The test comprises of 4 components:


► Read more on Pre-university Programme: Form Six (Tingkatan Enam) STPM

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Scoring Band 6 in MUET on your first try

I am a Malaysian medical student studying in Russian Federation right now. I am 23 this year. I sat for STPM and MUET in the year 2004. My interests include playing and watching football, blogging and programming.

Scoring Band 6 in MUET on your first try


by Manager for Writing Contest 2008

Scoring Band 6 in MUET on your first try is not that hard. Here are some tips on how to do exactly that.

Listening test
This is one of the tests in MUET which you could possibly get a perfect score. You should get a perfect score here, it is important for you to get a Band 6 because you will lose points in other tests.

Listening does not really indicate your level of English, especially if the speaker is English! So if you do lose points here, don't worry. Just try not to lose too many points here, practise many times with your MUET teachers before the actual test, try to listen to as many tapes as you can get your hands on. During the test, please look to your friends for help if you could not catch the questions or remember the correct answers. I am not encouraging you to be dishonest, but you could always pay attention to your friends gestures, read their lips, spot the blink of an eye, the touch of an ear, etc. Having a system before the actual tests does help.

Speaking test
If you can speak English naturally, please do all you can to convince the examiners that you have a good command of English during you individual presentation. Otherwise, use short sentences, put forward your main ideas in simple grammatically correct sentences. Do not just harp on a single point, try a few points, the positive side and negative side of an issue, etc. to show that you are not a narrow-minded student.

In the group discussion, you would be able to get a good score if you could lead the discussion. Be warned though, do not overdo it. Give others the opportunities to speak too. You should be polite, try to keep the flow of the discussion and help out should any of the fellow students got stuck in mid-sentence or is stammering. Remember, lead the discussion, keep its flow ("What do you think about this issue?") but do not be extravagant! Like it or not, this test is subjective and you will most probably not get a perfect score here.

Reading test
There are not many tips to share in this test, it is similar to Form 5 SPM English exam, just do your best. There are some tricky questions with similar answers. If you are lucky, you could get a perfect score here but usually the better students would be able to get near perfect scores, making a few mistakes here and there.

Writing test
Seriously, I have always told people that the writing test in MUET is even easier than SPM GCE 'O' Level. In this test, it is important to keep to the rules, follow the recommend length of essays and finish them in allocated time.

Even if you are a good English user, do not attempt to write beyond the recommended length. Concentrate instead on presenting your main ideas, this test papers are marked by Malaysian teachers, so don't bother having too many idioms, figurative meanings, etc.

For students who are not too comfortable with English, this may be one of the tests which you would tend to lose many points. To avoid that, keep your sentences short, check your grammars, try to compensate for your lack of flowery language with good ideas, mature arguments and logical explanations.

To be honest, it is not so easy to score a Band 6 in MUET after all. It is not the perfect test, but it is indicative of one's command of English, mainly because it includes listening and speaking tests. Good luck scoring a Band 6 in MUET on your first try, do let me know if my tips are useful.

Recommended: Free MUET Tips & 10 Reasons Why You Should Buy This MUET Guide (Panduan MUET) written by MUET teacher & examiner at RM30!


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Wednesday, October 08, 2008

STPM & SPM Tips & Trial Papers 2008

Posted by Chong

Notes: This post will be updated frequently to include links to the latest STPM & SPM tips and trial papers available on the Internet. Last updated on October 29, 2008.

Malaysia Students blog is currently collecting STPM & SPM 2008 trial papers (kertas soalan peperiksaan percubaan SPM) from different states in Malaysia. The main source for the collection of trial papers is our readers, yes, is YOU! Please share your SPM & STPM trial papers (and if possible, complete answer schema, skema jawapan) with us by scanning them into your computer and emailing them to us.student at malaysia-students.com

Besides SPM & STPM tips, we will be posting a lot of informative, insightful and helpful articles on this blog regularly. Do subscribe to Malaysia Students blog now for free to get all the latest articles sent straight to your email inbox. Do not enter your email address at the comment section, enter your email address into this subscription form to join our mailing list so that you won't miss any tips and articles.
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l: link | a: answer | s: source | d: download

PMR Tips & Trial Papers
s: Sekolah Berasrama Penuh (SBP)
l: ma (2)

s: Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri (JPN) Pahang
l: bm (1 2) en (1 2 3) ma (1 2) sci (1 2) geo sj pi khb (kemahiran teknikal kt, ekonomi rumah tangga ert, pertanian pt, perdagangan dan keusahawanan pk)
a: bm (1 2) en (1 2 3) ma (2) sci (1 2)

SPM Subject
bm: Bahasa Melayu | en: English | sj: Sejarah | ma: Mathematics | +m: Additional Mathematics | phy: Physics | che: Chemistry | bio: Biology | est: English for Science and Technology | sci: Science | pa: Prinsip Akaun | ps: Pendidikan Seni Visual | pd: Perdagangan | ea: Ekonomi Asas | pi: Pendidikan Islam | pm: Pendidikan Moral

l: SPM Timetable 2008 (SPM Jadual Waktu 2008)
s: Ministry of Education Malaysia's Official Portal (Portal Rasmi Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia)

SPM 2008 Tips

SPM 2008 Trial Papers
s: Times SPM 2008 Spot Questions (Times Soalan Ulangkaji SPM 2008)
l: bm en sj ma +m phy che bio sci pa
a: bm en sj ma +m phy che bio sci pa

s: Sekolah Berasrama Penuh (SBP)
l: bm (1 2) en (1 2) sj (1 2) ma (1 2) +m (1 2) phy (1 2 3) che (1 2 3) bio (1 2 3) est (1 2) pi (1 2) Bahasa Arab Tinggi (1 2) Teknologi Kejuruteraan (1 2)

s: Jabatan Pelajaran Terengganu
l: bm (1 2) en (1 2) sj (1 2) ma (1 2) +m (1 2) phy (1 2 3) che (1 2 3) bio (1 2 3) sci (1 2) est (1 2) pa (2) ps (1 2) pd (1 2) pi (1 2) Tasawwur Islam (ti 1 2) Pengajian Awam (1) Pengajian Mekanikal (2)
a: phy (1 2 3)

s: Persidangan Kebangsaan Pengetua-pengetua Sekolah Menengah Malaysia Cawangan Kelantan
l: bm (1 2) sj (2) phy (1 2 3) +m
a: phy (1 2 3)

s: Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri Pahang
l: bm (1 2) en (1 2) bc (1 2) sj (1 with answer 2) ma (1 2) +m (1 2) phy (1 2 3) che (1 2 3) bio (1 2 3) sci (2) est (1 2) pa (1 2) ea (1 2) ict
a: bm (1 2) en (1 2) bc (1 2) sj (2) ma (1 2) +m (1 2) che (1 2 3) bio (2 3) sci (2) est (1 2) pa (1 2) ea (1 2) ict

s: Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri Melaka
l: bm en (1 2) sj (1 2) ma (1 2) +m (1 2) phy (1 2 3) che (1 2 3) bio (1 2 3) est (1 2) pi (1 2)
a: bm en sj ma (1 2) +m (1 2) phy (1 2 3) che est

s: Sektor Pengurusan Akademik, Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri Sabah
l: bm (1 2) en (1 2) sj (1 2) ma (1 2) +m (1 2) sci (1 2) pi (1 2) pm
a: bm (2) en (1 2) sj ma (2) sci (1 2) pi (1 2) pm

s: Persidangan Kebangsaan Pengetua-pengetua Sekolah Menengah Negeri Kedah Darul Aman
l: bm (1 2) en (1 2) bc (1 2) sj (1 2) ma (1 2) phy (1 2 3) che (1 2 3) bio (1 2 3) pi (1) pm
a: bm (1 2) en (1 2) bc sj (1 2) phy che bio pm

s: Perak
l: phy (1 2 3)

s: Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri Johor
l: bm (1 2) en (1) sj (1 2) ma (1 2) +m (1 2) phy (1 2 3) che (1 2 3) bio (1 2 3) sci (1) pa (1 2) pi (1 2) pd (2)
a: che

s: Selangor
l: bm (1 2) che (1) phy (1) bio (1)

s: Negeri Sembilan
l: bm (1 2) phy (1 2 3)
a: phy (1 2 3)

s: Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM)
d: bm (1 2) en (1 2) sj (1 2) ma (1 2) +m (1 2) phy (1 2 3) che (1 2 3) bio (1 2 3) est (1 2) pa (1 2) ps (1 2) pd (1 2) pi (1 2) pm rekacipta
a: phy (1 2 3)

Want to download even more SPM 2008 trial papers? Visit here to get them. Thanks to Malaysia Students blog reader, emperoremoru for uploading and sharing them with us.

Good luck in your exams to all Malaysia Students Blog readers!
Let's comment and discuss: If you were SPM or STPM candidates previous years, do share your exam preparation and revision tips in the comment area. Did you mail-order or buy the highly expensive and so-called 100% accurate (tip peperiksaan 80% kena tepat) UPSR tips, PMR tips, SPM tips or STPM tips before the examinations? If yes, did those tips which costed you and your parents more than RM200 help you? Did you regret buying these tips and think that you should have spent more time reading and revising the syllabus instead of relying any of the tips? Do you believe in leak questions (soalan bocor) and forecasted question papers (kertas soalan ramalan)?

l: STPM Timetable 2008 (STPM Jadual Waktu 2008)
s: Majlis Peperiksaan Malaysia

STPM 2008 Trial Papers
s: Pahang
l: bm (1 2) sj (1 2) mt (1 2) che (1 2) phy (1 2) bio (1 2) geo (1 2) pa (1 2) pp (1 2) ek (1 2)
a: bm (1 2) sj (1 2) mt (1 2) che (1 2) phy (1 2) bio (1 2) geo (1 2) pa (1 2) pp (1 2) ek (1 2)
(thanks to umaparan for sharing these trial papers)

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