The Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, known as STPM, is a pre-university programme in Malaysia. The STPM is equivalent to other pre-university level programs such as A levels. Students who do well and score good grades can apply to universities not only in Malaysia but all around the world. It would surprise many, but famous international universities such as the University of Singapore, Harvard, and Cambridge accept the STPM programme. There have been many STPM qualification holders who have been accepted to many universities from all around the world.
The largest ethnic group in Malaysia is the Malays, comprising approximately 70% of the country’s population as of July 2022. Malays are expected to make up 40% to 90% of each state’s population in Malaysia. Given these demographics, it is not surprising that the Arabic language holds significant importance to the people of Malaysia.
In Malaysia, the national language is Bahasa Malaysia. The Malay population in Malaysia is keen to learn Arabic as it is closely related to their religion. There are many benefits to learning the Arabic language. Furthermore, many Malays want to know Arabic as it helps them understand the Quran and Hadiths better. Over time, having a background in Arabic is increasingly valuable for communication and business.
There are a total of 23 subjects offered in the STPM programme. Students taking STPM must take three core papers with a minimum of one elective or a maximum of two electives. The Bahasa Arab, or Arabic language, is one of the electives offered in STPM and remains one of the more popular electives that Malay students opt for in this examination.
What is in Your STPM Arabic Language Examination?
In recent years, the format for STPM has been changed to adapt to the changing environment and requirements of universities. In 2012, a major revamp in STPM also affected the Arabic language subject. The STPM programme had three terms or semesters starting in 2012. This is similar to what is practised in universities all over the world. The expectations of students in STPM have also changed to reflect understanding and real-life applications of what they have learned. Listed below is a brief overview of the terms for the Arabic language subject in STPM:
Term 1
This semester includes ten specific themes, with examination 913/1 being the only exam. The exam will cover the topics of environment, homeland, society, customs and traditions, religion, communication, language and culture, youth and adolescence, responsibility, and the Islamic world. As this exam is a written assessment, students must comprehensively understand and apply the topics to answer the questions.
Term 2
For this semester, there will be an exam paper with the code 913/2. The exam will cover five themes: sports, education, prominent personalities, media, and morals. Like in term 1, the exam will test the students’ grammar, language skills, and vocabulary.
Term 3
This semester is a bit different compared to the rest. In this semester, students will have to take three different examinations, which are 913/3, 913/4 and 913/5. This semester will cover five themes: science and technology, agriculture, tourism, politics, and economics and management. What makes this term different from the rest is students will have to take the ULBA, which is the Ujian Lisan Bahasa Arab, this term. This is an oral examination. In this term, students will also be tested in Arabic literature and coursework.
Now that you have a brief overview of the STPM Arabic language subject and examination requirements, let us look at some tips on how students can score in this paper.
Prepare Mentally
STPM, which stands for Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, is a highly regarded pre-university programme in Malaysia. However, to excel in this programme, students must do more than just read, memorise and practise. The path to becoming a successful STPM student begins with mental preparation.
STPM is known to have one of the most rigorous examinations in Malaysia; thus, students need to understand clearly the challenges they will face. The ones who emerge successfully from this programme are rewarded with many opportunities at the university level. Therefore, it is crucial to have a solid plan, set a goal, and work towards it relentlessly. With the right mindset and adequate preparation, one can achieve remarkable results in STPM.
Planning
The latest format of the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) has undergone significant changes, requiring students to familiarise themselves with the new structure. The programme has now been divided into three terms, each with specific requirements that students must adhere to. It is imperative for students to plan their semesters effectively and make the most of the available information to achieve their goals.
To avoid unnecessary stress and poor academic performance, students should avoid procrastination and start working on assignments and exam preparations in a timely manner. Therefore, planning ahead and staying organised is essential to succeed in this programme.
Concentrate in Classes
Many students tend to get distracted during their classes and indulge in activities unrelated to their studies. As a result, they often miss important information that their teachers impart. This can lead to a lack of understanding of the subject matter and may cause them to miss out on crucial tips to help them excel in their studies.
It is worth noting that teachers who teach STPM in schools have a wealth of experience and knowledge in their respective fields. They can impart valuable insights and techniques that are not easily accessible elsewhere. Their expertise not only helps students grasp the subject matter but also guides them on how to score well on their papers.
Therefore, students must stay focused during their classes and concentrate on their teachers’ teaching. By paying attention and being attentive, they can learn the subject matter thoroughly and better understand what they need to focus on to excel in their examinations.
Practise Makes Perfect
One of the best ways to score in your STPM Arab language examination is by doing as many practice questions as possible. Past-year exam questions are also another good resource students can rely on. While attempting to practise questions as well as past year examination questions, students should try to mimic a real examination setting by timing themselves. This way, it would be like a test run for their examinations. This will also improve their time management when it comes to the actual examination. If a student faces any stumbling blocks, especially questions about the past year, there are a lot of materials and videos available online. These videos can help the student understand the topics and the expected requirements in their Arabic language examination.
Understand Not Memorise
Before the revamp of STPM in 2012, students relied heavily on memorisation to secure good grades in their examinations. However, this approach is no longer practical and might even lead to failure in the present day and age. In 2012, the expectations from students increased, and they were required to demonstrate their understanding of the subject matter by applying the concepts they had learned to solve problems and answer questions. In other words, the emphasis shifted from rote memorisation to the application of knowledge.
To score well in the STPM examination, it is imperative that students have a thorough understanding of the concepts taught in each term and can apply that knowledge to answer questions in an exam setting. This new approach is no different from the Arabic language examination, where a similar emphasis is placed on applying knowledge. Therefore, students must focus on understanding and applying what they learn rather than solely relying on memorisation to succeed in their examinations. This will help them achieve better grades and prepare them for the challenges they may face in their academic and professional careers.
Do you need help understanding the STPM Arabic language marking scheme? Click here to learn more!
Private Lessons
This brings us to one of the most important tips to score the STPM Arabic language. Hiring a private tutor can push your grade to an A. There are many options for hiring a private tutor, but Superprof is arguably one of the best platforms you can opt for. A private tutor can tailor your lessons to what you need and require.
Excellent tutors are listed on Superprof’s website and are verified, qualified, and experienced. They will be able to guide you and clarify things that you might not understand in your Arabic language syllabus. As mentioned, understanding is the crucial point, which is essentially what a private tutor will help you with.
Superprof provides flexibility to students who take STPM. With Superprof, students can take charge of their lesson times and schedules. They can choose between online classes, face-to-face lessons or even a hybrid option. They also get to decide when and where they would like to have their classes.
Superprof also has a very user-friendly interface. Students will not only get to review the profiles of the tutors but also look at the reviews they have gotten from other students who have attended classes with that specific tutor. This allows the students to make a well-informed decision when picking their tutors. The personalised attention one gets from a tutor is also valuable. Teachers have too many students to concentrate on in school, so they cannot give personalised attention to help students.
No matter what you want to focus on, Arabic language essays, comprehension, or studying literary works from famous Arabic writers, Superprof is here to help you!
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