What is the SPM Malay paper marking scheme? If you’re a Form 5 student, you might be wondering how your answers are graded in the actual examination, right?
You’ve studied the exam format, practised trial examination papers and past year papers, and done your revision, but there’s still one thing that you’re unsure about—the marking scheme.
What are examiners really looking for in your answers? Is your essay good enough? How do you know if you’re meeting the standards?
If these questions are lingering on your mind, don’t worry, we’ve got you!
In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the Malay paper marking scheme. By the end, you’ll have the clarity and confidence to face the Bahasa Melayu exam head-on.
Psst! If you haven’t checked out our guide to the SPM BM paper format, we recommend reading that first for better context.
Let’s unlock the secrets behind the marketing scheme, shall we?
What is the SPM Malay paper marking scheme for Form 5 students in a nutshell:
1. Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia: Bahasa Melayu Marking Scheme (Paper 1-4)
2. Why the Marking Scheme Matters More Than You Think
3. An Overview of the SPM Bahasa Melayu Examination Papers
4. Where to Find the best Bahasa Melayu tutors Online for Secondary School Students?
5. How to score SPM Malay with Online Tuition Lessons?
1. Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia: Bahasa Melayu Marking Scheme (Paper 1-4)
To understand how the marking scheme works for SPM Bahasa Melayu, it is vital that we study the levels of difficulty applied to each paper. In fact, the items, or questions, that have been constructed across all the papers meet the same difficulty ratio of 5:3:2. The 5:3:2 ratio represents low, moderate and high levels of difficulty, also known as Aras R, Aras S, and Aras T.
The biggest percentage in the ratio (5) goes to Aras R (Aras Kesukaran Rendah), or Low Difficulty, which represents items that have an answerability rate of more than 60 per cent.
Aras S (Aras Kesukaran Sederhana), or Moderate Difficulty, is represented by the "3" in the ratio, to indicate items that are answerable by about 40 to 60 per cent of candidates.
Lastly, the "2" in the ratio represents Aras T (Aras Kesukaran Tinggi), or High Difficulty, referring to items that have an answerability rate of less than 40 per cent.
Therefore, in an imaginary 10-question SPM Malay paper, candidates can expect to answer 5 easy ones, 3 of moderate difficulty, and 2 that are challenging.
Okay, now we have seen how the aras sukarakan item is structured. What about the constructs being assessed in each paper? How are the marks allocated for each section?
We rounded up the assessment rubric for Kertas 1-4 from the years 2020-2022 from an online resource shared on a blog to the best of our ability. This will give you a solid idea of what examiners typically expect in your answers. Though there’s no guarantee that this is the latest version, it serves as a reliable reference to understand the assessment standards better for candidates.
While it’s quite rare for the marking guidelines to change every year, it’s best to confirm with your teachers for the latest updates, just in case.
Here are the marking guidelines. Let’s break it down:
Bahasa Melayu Kertas 1: Writing test (Karangan)
There are four writing skill constructs assessed, which are the ability of students to apply, analyse, evaluate and create ideas in their writing. It is divided into two sections: Bahagian A, which includes a compulsory question, takes up 30 marks; in Bahagian B, students can score up to 70 marks in their essay, which contributes to a total of 100 marks. Since it's a written exam, examiners use a holistic approach when grading.
Now, let’s take a look at how both are being assessed:
Bahagian A: 30 Markah
| Levels | Marks | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Cemerlang | 26-30 | Content that fits the theme of the stimulus material (bahan rangsangan) well. Mature, well-developed ideas that are clear and relevant. Grammatically accurate language — good sentence structure and correct punctuation. Correct spelling, especially following the Sistem Ejaan Rumi Baharu. Wide and precise vocabulary that enhances the essay. Coherent and well-structured writing with variety in sentence construction and engaging language use. |
| Kepujian | 20-25 | Address the theme of the stimulus material correctly Contain relevant and clearly explained ideas, though not as deep or mature as Cemerlang Use mostly correct grammar and sentence structure Show correct spelling (following Sistem Ejaan Rumi Baharu) Display a fairly wide vocabulary Be coherently structured, with some variety in language use |
| Memuaskan | 15-19 | Still follows the theme of the stimulus material, but not very strongly Present some relevant ideas, but may lack clarity or depth Use mostly correct grammar, though more noticeable errors may appear Include some spelling mistakes, though it still follows the official spelling system (Sistem Ejaan Rumi Baharu) Have a limited vocabulary, with some repetitive word choices Maintain a complete structure, but with fewer variations in style |
| Kurang Memuaskan | 10-14 | Weak link to the theme of the stimulus material — it’s not clearly addressed Major grammar issues — sentence structure and word choices are often incorrect Spelling errors are frequent, even though they still follow the general spelling rules Vocabulary is very limited and repetitive Incomplete structure — the flow of ideas is weak or disjointed Ideas are not clearly relevant and are poorly explained |
| Pencapaian Minimum | 09-10 | Very poor writing skills Serious grammar errors throughout the sentence structure Ideas are off-topic or completely unrelated to the theme of the stimulus material Lacks structure or coherence — very difficult to follow |
Bahagian B: 70 Markah
| Levels | Marks | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Cemerlang | 60-70 | Ideas are mature, relevant, and clearly explained with strong, suitable examples. Wide and precise use of vocabulary and word types enhances clarity and depth. Sentences are grammatically sound, varied, and well-structured. Spelling and punctuation are consistently accurate. Language style is rich and engaging, with creative use of expressions like proverbs or rhymes. Writing flows smoothly with effective paragraphing and strong idea connections. |
| Kepujian | 50-59 | Ideas are relevant, clearly explained, and supported with suitable examples. Vocabulary is wide, accurate, and fits the context well. Sentences are mostly grammatically correct and show variety. Spelling and punctuation are accurate. Language tone suits the task, with creative touches like proverbs or rhymes. Paragraphs are well-organised with smooth idea flow. |
| Baik | 40-49 | Ideas are relevant and clearly explained, supported with suitable examples. A good range of word types is used appropriately, with generally accurate vocabulary. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are mostly correct, with only minor slips. The tone fits the task, and there’s some variety in sentence structure and language use. Language is pleasant to read, though some expressions may not leave a strong impact. Overall writing is organised, with clear paragraphs and a logical flow of ideas. |
| Memuaskan | 30-39 | Ideas are somewhat relevant, but the explanations are unclear or all over the place, and examples don’t quite support the points. Vocabulary is basic or used inaccurately, which affects clarity. Many grammar mistakes are present, though the meaning can still be understood. The tone doesn’t really suit the task, and there’s little variety in sentence style. Expressions feel flat and fail to make the writing engaging. Paragraphs are poorly structured, making the writing hard to follow. |
| Kurang Memuaskan | 20-29 | Ideas are mixed up, explanations are unclear, and examples are not suitable. Sentences and word usage are ungrammatical but still understandable. Many spelling and punctuation (tanda bahasa) errors. Language elements (gaya bahasa) and style are weak and lack variety. Presentation is unengaging, and discourse (wacana) is incomplete. Paragraphs are unbalanced and poorly structured. |
| Pencapaian Minimum | 10-19 | Sentences and vocabulary are mostly ungrammatical but still somewhat understandable. Significant spelling and punctuation errors are present. The language used lacks variety and effectiveness. The writing style is weak and unappealing. Overall development is poor with incomplete content and unbalanced paragraphing. The essay is difficult to read or understand as a whole. |
| Belum Mencapai Pencapaian Minimum | 01-09 | The candidate only copied the question or statement. The answer sheet is left blank with no response. |
Do these grading criteria make your stomach churn? Don’t worry! You can improve your karangan skills and get the highest score in both Bahagian A & B. Find out more about SPM Malay essay writing to master your essay.
Bahasa Melayu Kertas 2: Pemahaman (Reading Test)
Kertas 2 (100 marks) tests students' ability to understand, apply, analyse, evaluate and generate ideas in terms of reading skills.
Bahagian A takes up 35 marks. Bahagian B, which also consists of 35 marks, rates students' level of comprehension. Students then have to write a summary in Bahagian C for up to 30 marks. Since this paper involves both writing and comprehension, examiners take on an analytical and holistic approach to scoring.
Bahagian A: Petikan Umum
- If you list a word correctly, you’ll get 1 mark.
- Each correct sentence also earns you 1 mark.
- You will lose 1 mark for spelling/grammar (jalan bahasa)/punctuation errors(tanda baca).
- If you’re using a relevant phrase as a proverb (peribahasa), you will get 0 marks.
- Using the phrase as a proper noun (nama khas)? That’ll get you 0 marks.
- Adding or changing imbuhan? That will get you 0 marks.
- If a sentence is written as one sentence but is actually more than one, you’ll lose a ½ mark for each extra sentence.
- If you’re using all the phrases in one sentence (semua frasa dalam satu ayat), it still counts as one sentence.
- You can use direct speech; just make sure your punctuation is on point.
- If your idea isn’t clear at all, you won’t get any marks.
Bahagian B: Pemahaman
For soalan 6,7 & 8:
- Write answers using your own words
- The written answers should be in complete or well-formed sentences.
- The answer to question 8 must be based on any one of the novels studied.
- If you’re copying the answer directly from the paragraph/text provided, you’ll be getting only 50% of the full score allocated for the question.
Let’s take a look at what examiners look for in 2-mark, 3-mark, and 4-mark questions:
Soalan 2-Markah: Comprehension based on the text (pemahaman berdasarkan teks)
| Description | Marks Allocated |
|---|---|
| Accurate answer according to context / sufficient content(isi)/ grammatically correct sentence | 2 marks |
| Accurate answer according to context / sufficient content/sentence not grammatically correct | 1 marks |
| Less accurate answer / insufficient content | 1 marks |
| Incorrect answer | 0 marks |
Soalan 3-Markah: Comprehension based on the text and KBAT (Kemahiran Berfikir Aras Tinggi)
| Description | Marks Allocated |
|---|---|
| Sufficient content (isi) / covers all relevant materials (semua bahan) / relevant to the task / grammatically correct sentence | 3 marks |
| Sufficient content/covers all relevant materials / relevant to the task/sentence not grammatically correct | 2 marks |
| Insufficient content/covers all relevant materials / grammatically correct sentence | 2 marks |
| Insufficient content / does not cover all relevant materials | 1 marks |
| Incorrect answer | 0 marks |
Soalan 4-Markah: Comprehension involving KBAT and novel elements
| Description | Marks Allocated |
|---|---|
| Sufficient content (3 isi) / relevant to the task / grammatically correct sentence | 4 marks |
| Sufficient content (3 isi) / relevant to the task/sentence not grammatically correct | 3 marks |
| Insufficient content (2 isi) / grammatically correct sentence | 3 marks |
| Insufficient content (2 isi) / sentence not grammatically correct | 2 marks |
| Insufficient content (1 isi) / grammatically correct sentence | 2 marks |
| Insufficient content (1 isi) / sentence not grammatically correct | 1 mark |
| Incorrect answer | 0 mark |
Examiners have a document that provides guidelines or a reference answer sheet that they use to evaluate student responses. For each soalan, they refer to this guide to determine how many marks your answer deserves based on the keywords you include.
Let’s take a soalan 2-markah as an example:
Soalan: Maksud rangkai kata “mengurangkan paras”
Here’s how your answer might be evaluated:
- 2 marks: If your answer includes any of these keywords — menyusutkan, mengawal, merendahkan, menurunkan, had, takat
- 1 mark: If your answer only includes — mengurangkan, had, or takat
- 1 mark: If your answer contains any of these — menyusutkan, mengawal, merendahkan, menurunkan, paras
As you can see, examiners refer to specific sample answers and give marks based on how closely your response matches those answers. The more accurate and relevant your keywords, the higher the mark you’re likely to get.
In some cases, a single keyword may earn you 1 mark. But to get the full 2 marks, your answer needs to include a combination of the most accurate or relevant keywords listed in the making scheme.
Disclaimer:
The guidelines above may vary depending on the type of question asked. Some instructions are tailored specifically to a certain question and may not apply to all. However, this serves as a general reference/guideline to help candidates understand how examiners typically evaluate responses and provide marks. For the most accurate reference, always refer to the grading criteria for the specific year and paper you’re working on.
Bahagian C: Rumusan
| Rangka Rumusan (Summary outline) | Marks |
|---|---|
| Pendahuluan | 2 Marks |
| (i) Isi bahan 1 Fokus 1 Fokus 2 | i+ii+iii=16 Marks |
| (ii) Isi bahan 2 Fokus 1 Fokus 2 | i+ii+iii=16 Marks |
| (iii) Isi bahan 3 Fokus 1 | i+ii+iii=16 Marks |
| Penutup/kesimpulan | 2 Marks |
The number of isi that you choose to focus on from each bahan is entirely up to you as long as you have a total of 8 isi from all the given materials (bahan).
If you need more guidance, check out our article that explains the SPM BM format in detail. You will also find helpful resources to answer any questions you may have.
Bahasa Melayu Kertas 3: Speaking Test (Ujian Bertutur)
This paper seeks to assess students' level of understanding, application, and analytical ability in their speaking skills. For a total of 70 marks, Kertas 3 is split into two sections:
Bahagian A, which is an individual test, makes up 40 marks of the paper. Bahagian B carries a total of 30 marks, where students' speaking skills are assessed in groups. The examiners use an analytic scoring method for the individual assessment, while they use a holistic approach for the group assessment. You can find the scoring table below:
Individual Assessment:
| Mastery Level & Score Range | Excellent [9-10] | Credit [7-8] | Good [5-6] | Minimum Mastery [3-4] | Below Minimum Mastery [1-2] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grammar and vocabulary (Tatabahasa dan kosa kata) | |||||
| Pronunciation, Intonation, and Tone (Sebutan, Intonansidan Nada) | |||||
| Fluency and Smooth Delivery (Kefasihan dan kelancaran) | |||||
| Ideas and Meaning (Idea dan bermakna) |
Group Assessment:
| Mastery Level and Score Range | Excellent [25-30] | Credit [19-24] | Good [13-18] | Minimum Mastery [7-12] | Below Minimum Mastery [1-6] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grammar and vocabulary (Tatabahasa dan kosa kata) | |||||
| Pronunciation, Intonation, and Tone (Sebutan, Intonansidan Nada) | |||||
| Fluency and Smooth Delivery (Kefasihan dan kelancaran) | |||||
| Ideas and Meaning (Idea dan bermakna) |
Bahasa Melayu Kertas 4: Listening Test (Ujian Mendengar)
Finally, Kertas 4 tests students' listening skills in terms of understanding, application and analytical ability. Although this paper represents a total of only 30 marks, students must answer all the questions, which can be as many as 20 to 25 questions. Students are to listen to texts and provide answers based on what they have heard.
Since it assesses listening skills, students are marked based on dichotomous and analytical scoring methods.
The scoring system is pretty straightforward. Refer to the table below:
| Marking method | Where it’s used | How are marks given |
|---|---|---|
| Dichotomous (Dikotomi) | Objective questions (e.g. multiple choice) | 1 mark for a correct answer 0 mark for an incorrect answer No partial marks |
| Analytical (Analitik) | Subjective questions (e.g. short written answers) | Marks are awarded based on: • Key elements in the answer • Completeness • Grammar |
Explore the ultimate SPM Bahasa Melayu guide for exam-readiness.
2. Why Does the Marking Scheme Matter More Than You Think?
A common mistake among candidates is thinking that the scoring system is not important. They might think that as long as they write more content, more words, and more bombastic peribahasa, simpulan bahasa, or vocabulary, will grant them high marks.
However, scoring well is not just about that; it’s about precision, clarity and how well you answer the question following the requirements.
The scoring system is a tool to:
- Understand how marks are allocated
- Learn what examiners prioritise and penalise
- Spot common pitfalls and avoid them
- Shift your focus from writing more to writing what matters/is needed
3. An Overview of the SPM Bahasa Melayu Examination Papers
Now that we understand the marking guidelines in detail and how examiners assess your writing, let's take a look at it briefly. Just like SPM English, the SPM Malay subject has also gone through some upgrades since the introduction of a new format in the year 2021. There are a total of 4 papers, each testing different skill sets:
- Writing (Menulis): Are you creative in your writing? Kertas 1 tests your writing ability, such as the appropriate use of discourse markers and the ability to put ideas into words.
- Reading (Membaca): Can you identify information in Malay text and demonstrate your understanding of it? Reading ability is assessed in Kertas 2 by evaluating how well students can state the meaning of words, as well as make accurate text interpretations, evaluations and connections between sentences.
- Speaking (Bertutur): Knowing how to speak in the language fluently - this is one of the areas students are assessed on in Kertas 3. Students must also display their ability to use proper Malay grammar and vocabulary, as well as correct pronunciation, tone and intonation, as well as the range of vocabulary used in their response.
- Listening (Mendengar): Kertas 4 tests students' language ability and how well they can apply the information being heard. Based on the text being heard, students will either answer multiple-choice questions or provide short answers to the questions.
Would you like to take a look at our list of all the SPM Bahasa Melayu papers for Form 5 students?
4. Where to Find the best Bahasa Melayu tutors Online for Secondary School Students?
Are you looking for face-to-face or SPM online tuition in Malaysia? You've come to the right place - from IGCSE tuition to all the SPM subjects like Mathematics, Add Maths, and SPM English, Superprof has got you covered! With just a few clicks, you can have the best learning experience.
How do I start? You might be wondering. Follow our instructions below:
Click into our Superprof Private Tutors page: in the search engine, specify the subject you are looking for, such as SPM Malay, and decide whether you'd like to have your lessons in-person or online. Over 2351 tutors in Malaysia are teaching SPM subjects on Superprof - how will you choose? Now you can click on any tutor's profile - learn about the tutor's educational background and teaching qualifications.
Can I take online tuition Malaysia on a budget? Of course! Not only does Superprof let you decide your preferred mode of learning, but you can also set a tutoring rate you are comfortable with, find tutors with quick response times, or even if you want to learn with a native speaker. You can find these filters at the top left of the tutors' page, and further information about each tutor in their profiles, such as the availability of individual and group lessons.
Take your first lesson for FREE when you sign up with Superprof!
5. How to score SPM Malay with Online Tuition Lessons?
Now that you've found the best online tutor Malaysia with Superprof, what else can you do to improve your understanding and proficiency? We'd like to share with you some neat tricks for incorporating Malay into your daily life without hassle, and how to improve your results.
- Not what to answer, HOW to answer: You can never go off topic if you apply the correct answering styles or techniques to each question. While you may have an idea of what to put down for your answers, get to know the answering format of each paper, too. Kertas 1, for instance, requires candidates to present a clear introduction, body, and closing in their essays. You can also check out these SPM Karangan Success Tips.
- Revise with past year papers and trial examination papers:
Another way to improve your result is by constant practice. This is an effective way to practise your Malay language skills when the examination is near as it will familiarise you with the format and prepare you for possible topics that are assessed.
Click here to find out where you can get SPM past year papers and trial examination papers. You’ll also find mathematics trial examination papers and other subjects available on the listed websites!
- Make the Malay language a part of your life:
The best way to make using Malay a daily habit? Think about how you can practise Malay in your daily routine. If you are an avid reader, perhaps switch to some Malay books to improve your reading skills. If you watch TV often, tune into the Malay news or movies. You can even set a time to speak in Malay with your family and friends at school! - Create a timetable:
Talking about a schedule - have you made your SPM timetable for studying? Learning Malay every day can be powerful, so creating a routine you can follow will ensure you are practising the language daily, and at the same time, you can avoid the cram before the exam. You can plan a study schedule from Monday to Friday to set aside time for practice in between your classes and free time.
Finally, if you are struggling to catch up with some Malay topics or are finding it challenging to understand certain concepts, talk to your teacher. Often enough, your teacher can guide you towards gaining a better understanding of the language and improving other areas in your Malay language skills. We at Superprof wish you all the best!
Find your Cikgu Bahasa Melayu on Superprof!
You’ve got everything you need to know about the scoring system! Now, go ace those exams!
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