There are Section A, Section B and Section C. Section A consists of 6 questions where you must answer all questions, Section B consists of 5 questions where you can choose any 4, while Section C consists of 4 questions where you can choose any 2. You can answer extra questions in Section B and Section C if you have time. The examiner will mark all questions and choose the questions where you score the highest marks
You must show all workings for every question. You should not skip any important steps.If you do not show a particular important step, marks will not be given for that step. Marks can still be given for all other steps and the final answer if they are correct. Correct answer without working usually scores only 1 mark.
If your final answer is wrong but some of your working is correct, you may still be given some marks.
However, you do not need to show any working for 1 mark questions.
Both the Form 4 and Form 5 textbooks are 100% complete. However, studying using the textbooks can be quite boring. In that case, you could get express notes from the bookstore. Recommendation: Whizz Thru by Oxford Fajar.
You need to do revision for every topics regularly in order to ensure that you remember everything for a long time. The more revision you do, the more you can remember. Revise as many times as you can until you are sure that you have remembered everything.
You should read through all the " Sudut Maklumat" in the textbook because questions will be asked based on the information in the Sudut Maklumat.(For paper 1)
You also have to do exercises. Buy exercise books from the bookshop. You can start by doing topical questions topic by topic. When you have understood all topics, proceed with doing SPM model test papers, MARA papers, SBP papers and actual SPM past year questions.
You should sometimes refer to the mark scheme of past year SPM trial papers to find out how every question is marked and which points need to be included in the answers for every question
Read the question and all the options carefully. Cancel off the options that you consider as definitely wrong. Then, choose the most suitable answer among the 4 options
For Bahagian B, you must answer in continuous writing form.
You are not allowed to answer in point form, table form, mind map, flow chart or any other forms. If you do so, half of the marks you scored for that question will be deducted.
For KBAT questions, you will need to provide your own ideas. Bear in mind that ideas must be logical and relevant.
You are allowed to write extra points for both sections. Marks will be awarded based on the number of correct points. No mark will be deducted for wrong answers.
For Paper 3, bring both the Form 4 and Form 5 textbooks and revision books into the examination hall. You should also bring in any other materials that are relevant to the general topic released six weeks before the exam.
When answering, read the questions carefully. Make sure that you know what the question is asking for. Usually, questions on facts carry 60 marks while the KBAT questions carry the other 40 marks.
For questions on facts, look for the answers from the textbook. You can copy the sentences directly from the textbook. You can also answer in your own sentences that have the same meaning. You are not advised to give facts that are not found in the textbooks.
You are advised to collect other relevant information for the Internet. For example: Buletin Sejarah from MOE’s website.
You need a reference book because the textbook and practical book are not enough. Recommendation: Success SPM Physics by Oxford Fajar.
You should be actively involved in all experiments carried out in school because this can help improve your practical skills which are essential for Paper 3. You are also advised to read through all the experiments and activities in the reference book and understand them.
For the calculations, you need to know how to apply what you have learnt and use the correct formula to solve the questions. Go through all the example questions in the revision book. Make sure that you understand how every question is solved.
You will have to revise every topic consistently. When revising, go through all the explanation, facts, experiments and examples for calculation questions in the book. Make sure that you do not forget anything that you have understood previously.
Do exercises regularly to improve your understanding on the topic. Start by practicing with topical exercises. After that, proceed with SPM Model papers, MARA papers, SBP papers and finally, the real SPM past year questions.
Read the question and all the options carefully. Write any rough working on the question paper if you need to. Cancel off the options that you consider as definitely wrong. Then, choose the most suitable answer among the 4 options.
Paper 2 consists of 3 sections, Section A, Section B and Section C. You must answer all questions in Section A and any 1 question in Section B and Section C.
You can answer extra questions in Section B and Section C. The examiner will mark all questions and choose the questions where you score highest marks.
For Section B and Section C, it is not compulsory to answer in continuous form. You may use tables, diagrams and other suitable forms.
It is not advisable to answer in point form because some inexperienced examiners may deduct your marks.
When answering questions involving calculations, you must show all workings. Remember to write the correct unit for the final answer.
When answering questions on suggesting suitable characteristics or modifications, you are advised to answer in table form. Give all the characteristics/modifications and suitable explanation for each characteristic/modification. If you are asked to make a selection, select the most suitable one based on the characteristics. When writing the reason for your choice, just repeat all the characteristics.
When drawing diagrams, make sure that all important details are included in the diagram you draw. You have to label correctly all parts in the diagram. Your diagram should be clear and neat.
You need a reference book because the textbook and practical book are not enough. Recommendation: Success SPM Chemistry by Oxford Fajar.
When studying a chapter for the first time, read through all the explanations in the book. Try to understand each sentence before moving on to the next sentence.
Certain chapters may require the understanding of previous chapters, so make sure you understand those chapters.
You should be actively involved in all experiments carried out in school because this can help improve your practical skills which are essential for Paper 3. You are also advised to read through all the experiments and activities in the reference book and understand them.
For certain facts, there may be no explanation for them. In that case, you will have to memorize those facts. For the calculations, you need to know how to apply what you have learnt to solve the questions. Go through all the example questions in the revision book. Make sure that you understand how every question is solved.
You will have to revise every chapter consistently. When revising, go through all the sample questions in the reference book.
After that, do exercises. Start by doing topical exercises. After that, try MARA papers, SBP papers and actual SPM past year questions. If you have the time, try doing trial papers from other states as well.
Read the question and all the options carefully. Write any rough workings on the question paper if you need to. Cancel off the options that you consider as definitely wrong. Then, choose the most suitable answer among the 4 options.
Paper 2 contains 3 sections. Section A consists of 6 questions where you must answer all questions. Section B and C consist of 2 essay questions each and you can choose any 1 from each section
You can answer extra questions in Section B and Section C if you have time. The examiner will mark all your answers and choose the questions where you score the highest marks.
When answering, read the question and the information given carefully. Make sure you know what the question is asking for. Answer the questions based on your knowledge and understanding on the relevant topic in Chemistry
You should use the correct Chemistry terms in your answer. Do not replace them with other terms that are inappropriate, even if their meaning are the same. The spelling for all Chemistry terms must also be correct, otherwise marks may be deducted.
Do not use any short forms in your answer, except when writing units for quantities or when writing working for calculation For all chemical substances, you should write the complete name and do not write only the chemical formula, unless if the question asks you to write the chemical formula or if you are writing a chemical equation.
When answering questions on calculation, you must show all workings. You should not skip any important steps, otherwise marks may be deducted. You must also write the correct unit for the final answer.
You need a reference book because the textbook and practical book are not enough. Recommendation: Success SPM Biology by Oxford Fajar.
When studying a chapter for the first time, read through all the explanations in the reference book. Make sure that you truly understand each sentence before moving on to the next sentence. Certain topics may require understanding of earlier topics, so make sure you understand those topics. You should also try to relate them to what your teacher had taught in school.
You should be actively involved in all experiments carried out in school because this can help improve your practical skills which are essential for Paper 3. You are also advised to read through all the experiments and activities in the reference book and understand them.
For the calculations, you need to know how to apply what you have learnt to solve the questions. Go through all the example questions in the revision book. Make sure that you understand how every question is solved.
You have to regularly revise every topics again and again. When revising, go through all the explanation, facts, experiments and examples for calculation questions in the book. Make sure that you do not forget anything that you have understood previously. Regular and repeated revision will help you to remember all the explanation and facts for a long time.
After that, do exercises. Start by doing topical exercises from workbooks. After that, proceed with SPM Model Papers, MARA Papers, SBP Papers and actual SPM past year questions.
After doing the exercises, do self marking by referring to the answer scheme provided.
When revising, draw diagrams on a piece of blank A4 Paper. Remember to label the diagram you have drawn. This will help you to understand better and hence, you can remember the facts for a long time.
Read the question and all the options carefully. Write any rough workings on the question paper if you need to. Cancel off the options that you consider as definitely wrong. Then, choose the most suitable answer among the 4 options.
Paper 2 consists of 2 sections, Section A and Section B.
Section A consists of 5 structured questions where you must answer all questions while Section B consists of 4 essay questions where you can choose any 2 of them. You can answer extra questions in Section B if you have time. The examiner will mark all questions and choose the questions where you score the highest marks.
When answering, read the question and all information given carefully. Make sure that you know what the question is asking for. Answer the questions based on your knowledge and understanding on the relevant topic in Biology.
You should use the correct Biological terms in your answer. Do not replace them with other terms that are inappropriate, even if their meaning are the same. The spelling for all Biological terms must also be correct, otherwise marks may be deducted.
It is not compulsory to answer in continuous writing form. You are allowed to answer in table form or other suitable forms. In suitable cases, you can also use diagrams, equations or graphs in your answer. However, you are not advised to answer in point form. There is not penalty for answering in point form, but some inexperienced examiners may deduct your marks if you do so.
When answering questions on calculation, you must show all workings. You should not skip any important steps, otherwise marks may be deducted. You must also write the correct unit for the final answer.
The examination format for Paper 3 (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) has been changed starting from SPM 2015 onwards. In the new format, Paper 3 will be a practical test unlike the old format where it was a written practical test.
Note: Tips will be updated when I have more information about the questions for the new format.
This is so helpful! I have all the books that you recommended in your posts ^^~ They are really useful and have helped me to understand what my teachers taught me.
Thanks for the feedback!
If you guys have any question, feel free to ask me on my ask fm account: ask.fm/pxpeixuan
or my facebook account. You can search for me using this email! tanpxuan@hotmail.com
