In Malaysia, SPM is an abbreviation for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia or translate to English as Malaysia Certificate of Education. SPM is a national examination taken by all fifth form students in Malaysia or any student verified by Malaysia Examination Syndicate.
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 Malay.
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. Students who successfully passed their Penilaian Tahap Satu (PTS) examination at Primary Three and chose to skip standard four would take their SPM a year earlier, at the age of 16. The PTS was introduced to Primary Three students in 1996 but was discontinued in 2000, due to controversies as it allows students from Primary Three to proceed directly to Primary Five at the next academic year without going through Primary Four. Students who are taught at home generally take the SPM at some point at the end of their secondary education as well.
