Better SPM results
> Urban and rural area candidates also record improvements
PUTRAJAYA: The 2017 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates scored a National Grade Point Average (NGPA) of 4.90, outperforming the previous year.
Education director-general Datuk Dr Amin Senin said the results were better than 2016, which was 5.05.
“A smaller NGPA indicates that candidates did better in the examinations,” he said when announcing the SPM 2017 analysis at the Education Ministry yesterday.
The number of candidates who registered for the 2017 SPM examination had increased from 434,535 candidates in 2016 to 443,883 candidates.
The results analysis showed that 85.2% of the candidates qualify for the SPM certificate. Candidates have been required to pass Bahasa Malaysia and History since 2013 to qualify for the certificate.
“The achievements between urban and rural area candidates also recorded some improvement with rural students recording an increase of 0.14 in National Cumulative Grade (GPN), from 5.36 in 2016 to 5.22, while urban candidates also recorded a 0.14 increase in their GPN (4.89 in 2016 to 4.75).
“In addition, 62.5% of the 994 candidates with special needs are eligible to be awarded the SPM certificate.
“Overall, the 2017 SPM candidates showed the most improvement in Bahasa Malaysia with its Subject Average Grade of 0.46 while Moral Studies had the biggest decrease at 0.11,” he added.
He said 48 out of the 73 SPM subjects had recorded improvements with other core subjects such as English, Islamic Studies and Mathematics also showing improvement.
However, one core subject, Science, recorded a decrease.
Amin also said that 66% of the 2017 SPM candidates have mastered the High Level Thinking Skills assessment.
He also announced that 54.9% of the SPM candidates successfully obtained the GCE O-Level certificate in English.
In GEORGE TOWN, some 752 students were awarded straight As, announced by Penang state education department acting director Mohd Jamil Mohamad.
Mohd Jamil said a total of 23,105 candidates in Penang sat for SPM last year.
He commented that 82.44% of the students are eligible to receive their SPM certificates.