STPM is a pre-university examination that students will take in their Form 6. The STPM qualification is one of the most prestigious pre-university programs in Malaysia. It is famously known to be more difficult than most other pre-university qualifications. Even though this qualification is considered challenging, there are many reasons why students should consider this program compared to other pre-university programmes. The STPM qualification is not only recognised all over the world but is highly affordable compared to the rest.
There are approximately 23 papers offered in STPM, and Bahasa Arab is one of them. Bahasa arab or Arabic language is one of the language subjects offered as an elective in the STPM programme. This paper carries the code 913, just like all the other subjects offered, and will be assessed over three terms. There are a total of 5 papers that students will need to pass for this subject. The STPM Arabic language is very popular among the Malays in Malaysia as they are closely linked to Islam, and having a solid background in Bahasa Arab has many benefits.
A Glimpse into STPM Arabic Language Subject
There was a revision to the Arabic language syllabus and format for STPM. The previous examiners’ notes showed that students were only tested on their understanding of this language, but with the recent 2012 change, examiners are looking for far beyond understanding from the students who take this subject in their STPM qualification.
For a student to score good marks in their examination, they must understand not only the examination format and marking scheme but the basics and contents of this subject. They must also be able to converse and think critically if they want to score well.
Remembering that the examiners look far beyond memorisation in this paper is essential. Hence, students must grasp and master the contents of whatever is taught over these three terms. The Arabic language STPM examination is divided into three terms or semesters. Students will cover various topics throughout these semesters to enhance their writing, comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and oral communication skills.
In this article, we will dive into some exciting tools that will help you prepare and conquer any challenge that comes your way. Let’s explore the fantastic resources just waiting to supercharge your revision!
Textbooks
The textbook is one of the first things students should have when sitting for the STPM Arabic language examination. According to the MPM (Majlis Peperiksaan Malaysia), there are a total of 10 books that a student can refer to for their STPM Arabic language examination. The list provided by the MPM is divided into two categories: language and literature. Listed below are the books in the latest MPM STPM Arabic language examination guide:
Language
- Al-Jarim, Ali dan Amin, Mustafa, t. th. al-Nahw al-Wadih. Kaherah: Dar al-Ma‟arif
- Al-Jarim, Ali dan Amin, Mustafa, t. th. Mulakhkhas al-Nahw al-Wadih. Lubnan: Dar al-Ma‟arif
- Al-Rajihi, Abduh, 1974. Tatbiq al-Sarfi. Beirut: Dar al-Nahdah al-Arabiyyah.
- Mukarram, Abd al-„Al Salim, 1975. Tatbiqat Nahwiyyah wa Balaghiyyah. Kuwait: Dar al-Buhuth al-Alamiyyah
- Ni‟mah, Fuad, t. th. Mulakhkhas Qawaid al-Lughah al-Arabiyyah.
- Sulaiman, Abd al-Jawwad, t. th. al-Rafiq fi al-Lughah al-Arabiyyah. Kaherah: Kosta Thomas.
Literature
- Al-Fakhuri, Hana, 1987. Tarikh al-Adab al-Arabi. Beirut: al-Matba‟ah al-Bulisiyyah.
- Shams al-Din, Ibrahim, 2003. Marja’ al-Tullab fi Taysir al-Insha’. Casablanca: Maktabah al-Salam al-Jadidah
- Yusuf Husni „Abd al-Jalil, 2001. Fi al-Nas al-Abbasi wa al-Andalusi Dirasah wa Tahlil. Kaherah: Muassan al-Mukhtar.
- Zainal Abidin Ají Abdul Kadir, 1987. Mudhakirah fi Tarikh al-Adab al-‘Arabi. Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka
These books and materials will give students a good understanding of the contents of the syllabus, which in turn will help students in their examinations.

Online Resources
In this day and age, the Internet has become an indispensable tool for students who are looking to learn and prepare for their examinations. It provides vast resources to be leveraged to gain knowledge and skills in virtually any subject matter. Whether you are interested in learning a new language, mastering a musical instrument, or exploring the depths of quantum mechanics, you can find a wealth of articles, videos, and tutorials online that can help you achieve your goals. The Internet offers an unparalleled level of accessibility and convenience that makes it easier than ever before to learn something new and expand your horizons. So why not take advantage of this incredible resource and explore the endless possibilities that await you?
Many articles and videos are readily available for students taking the STPM Arabic language paper. YouTube is one of the best places a student can start. Many channels such as Sukses TV and SSTP JPN Kelantan are available on YouTube that not only explain the format of the Arabic language subject but also give tips on scoring well on each examination paper. There are also videos on preparing for the Arabic language ULBA, which is the “Ujian Lisan Bahasa Arab’ or, simply put, the oral examination.
These channels are good supplementary videos to watch while attending your typical Arabic language classes taught in school.
Past Year Papers and Exercise Books
One of the best ways a student can score in their Arabic language STPM subject is by attempting loads of exercise and practice books and doing all the past year’s examination questions.
Practice books are there for students to learn the syllabus of their subject. The same goes for the Arabic language practice books. When a student learns a new chapter in their Arabic language subject, retaining the information and knowledge will be highly effective if they attempt practice questions. These questions test the students on their knowledge. With practice questions, students will be able to identify their weaknesses. Students will then be able to pay more attention to these areas.
Past year examination papers are arguably one of the most critical resources for all examinations, including the Arabic language STPM subject. By attempting past year questions, students will understand how their future examinations will be. It will give students an idea of the examination pattern. They can identify these patterns and prepare better for the examination. One of the most important reasons to attempt past-year questions is so students can manage their time effectively. This will be a test run for students to arrange and effectively manage their time to avoid any questions missed during the examination.
Many students overlook this and regret it because they did not have enough time to attempt all the questions. This costs students unnecessary stress and missed out marks. Attempting past-year questions will also build the students’ confidence while allowing them to self-assess. When a student attempts past-year questions, two things happen. Firstly, they know and can answer all of the questions. This will boost their confidence, and they will enter their examination with a positive attitude. Secondly, by attempting past year questions, students will find that they are not able to answer everything as effectively as they thought they could. This will allow them to self-assess. They will know before the actual examination that they will need to study more and understand other things better. This is something that is invaluable and can help the student tremendously.

Are you interested in the Arabic literary world? Check out Uncovering the Legacy of Arab Writers: Breaking Barriers in Literature!
Hire a Superprof Tutor
If you are a student preparing for the STPM Arabic language examination, one of the best things you can do is to hire a tutor. Many students do not receive sufficient guidance or individual attention from their teachers. In a classroom with 20 to 40 students, it is understandable why some students feel frustrated with the lack of feedback. This is where a tutor can be of great help.
A tutor will provide students with attention and feedback, and a Superprof tutor will be able to personalise the lessons based on the student’s goals and learning abilities. Superprof is an online platform that connects students with tutors from all over the world. There are a lot of Arabic tutors on superprof for all levels of education. You will be able to find Arabic language tutors who are specifically teaching STPM students. All the tutors on Superprof are verified, qualified, and experienced, so you can rest assured you are getting the best quality for the money you spend.
A lot of students have a very tight schedule. They do not have enough time to slot in tutoring classes between school and extracurricular activities. Most tuition centres also have a fixed schedule that many students find difficult to include in their schedule. Some locations are too far for students to travel to. This is where Superprof comes in; the tutors in Superprof are flexible. You can choose if you want to have online classes, face-to-face lessons, or a combination of both! On top of this, you also get to pick the day and time you would like to have your classes. You no longer have to look at a fixed schedule and worry. You set and arrange your schedule.
There are many ways to prepare for your 2024 Arabic language STPM examination. With the resources shown above, we are sure that passing this paper will be a breeze.