Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is an upcoming subject that is rising in popularity not only among STPM students here in Malaysia but also among many pre-university students all around the world. Many governments and education ministries recognise the significance of equipping the younger generation with essential knowledge before they transition to tertiary education. This understanding highlights the importance of foundational topics that students should be familiar with as they embark on their higher education journey.
People tend to think that you only need to know these things if you plan to get a degree in IT or have a career in the IT field, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. What students learn in ICT will benefit them regardless of whether they end up having a career in IT. In this article, let us briefly introduce the STPM subject of information and communications technology. We will look at the examination and terms, syllabus, and tips for scoring a good grade for this subject.
When is the 2025 ICT Examination?
2025 is just around the corner, and if you are sitting for the 2025 STPM assessments, you will be happy to know that the registration schedule and 2025 first-term examination timetable are out. Let’s examine both of these in more detail so that you can effectively plan your upcoming year.
Registration
STPM registration for 2025 opened to all on July 17, 2024. Those of you who are interested in taking the STPM qualifications should have done so before July 30, 2024.
The rules are a bit different for those of you who are studying privately or those who are looking to improve your grades. Registration will open on January 2 and August 1, respectively, for these students. The closing dates for these two groups will also be on January 24 and August 29.
Assessment
The examinations for each of the terms will be as follows
- Term 1 - January 2025
- Term 2 - July 2025
- Term 3 - November and December 2025
The dates for the assessment will be released in stages. At the time this article was written, only the term one schedule had been released. The date you will need to mark on your calendar will be January 13, 2025, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. This is when the assessment for the first term will happen for the subject of information and communications technology.
Getting to Know the ICT Syllabus
Now that you know when are the terms and assessments, let us not look at the most crucial part for a student to know when it comes to information and communications technology: its syllabus. We have briefly listed down all of the syllabi for your ease of reference.
Term 1 - Introduction to Information and Communications Technology and Multimedia
- ICT and multimedia fundamentals
- ICT and multimedia application and governance
- Multimedia designs
- Multimedia delivery
- Multimedia development
- Idea analysis
- Task planning
- Prototype development
- Alpha development
- Beta development
- Delivery
Term 2 - Programming
- Introduction to Programming
- Fundamentals of C programming language
- C program
- Basic data types
- Expression and operators
- Input and output
- Problem-solving in programming
- Control structures
- Functions
- Types of function
- Function statements
- Data structures
- Arrays
- Structures
Term 3 - Information Systems Development and Database Systems
- Information system development
- System development life cycle (SDLC)
- Introduction to SDLC
- Planning phase
- Analysis phase
- Design phase
- Implementation phase
- Maintenance phase
- Fundamental of Relational Database Systems
- Database Systems Planning, Design and Administration
- Query Language
Coursework
As you can see, the syllabus for this subject is quite extensive, in addition to the coursework. In order for you to really do well and score the best you can for this subject, you must first understand every topic we have listed above and make sure that you master and understand them thoroughly.
How to Score Well in Your First, Second, & Third Assessment
The syllabus is divided into three terms, each with a list of topics that you must master before being assessed at the end of the term. These three assessments are written assessments at the end of each term during your STPM qualifications.
If you would like to be successful in these three, you will need to be able to identify underlying concepts but also be able to effectively discuss and elaborate on them. We have listed some tips and tricks that you can use to help you score well on your written tests.
Practise Makes Perfect
As goes with most things in life, the more you practise, the better you will become in mastering it. This really applies to this subject. It is not only enough to go for classes, but you must attempt as many practice questions as possible for each topic we have listed above. Nearing the end of the term, when your teacher has taught you and covered the entire syllabus for that term, you must get your hands on as many trials and past-year papers as you can. Since your assessment is written, do as many of these questions as possible. They will not only prepare you for what might be possibly asked but also give you the confidence you will need when you enter your examination hall.
Group Discussions
An excellent way to get through this paper and prepare for your first three assessments is to have scheduled group discussions with your fellow students and classmates. This gives you the unique opportunity to learn from each other. It is important to remember that a topic you might be strong in might help your peers and vice versa. Lend a hand to each other, and you’ll realise you’ve got mental support as well as help with your studies when you need it.
Hire a Tutor
Another tip to score for STPM ICT is to hire a tutor who can run you down what you will need and how you must answer your questions to ensure maximum points. Having someone with actual experience in scoring is very valuable. You can always get a senior or someone with experience to help you. There are always tips on how to tackle certain questions.
Consistently Study and Revise
This is an important tip that applies not only to this subject but to all your subjects when you sit for STPM and your university subjects. You must constantly refresh your memory on what you have studied in order to retain what you have learnt. More often than not, students tend to study and then take short periods of breaks in between. When they return to their subject again, they will quickly notice that they have forgotten what they have learnt. To avoid this, always have a quick revision, weekly if daily is not possible. This will keep your mind fresh with the information that you have learnt. There are many resources available for you to revise STPM ICT.
How to Score Well in Your Coursework
Unlike your written assessment, students are given three semesters to work on their coursework. One of the best things you can do is to start early. You can get the topic for your coursework directly from the MPM website. Make sure to get it directly from this site, as it is the most reliable, and you do not want to miss out on not having the correct coursework.
If you look at the STPM ICT marking scheme, you will notice that the coursework assessment carries a whopping 40% of your total grade. Students are given five assignments and two projects to complete. These might seem like a lot, but you are given three semesters to work on them. This is ample time, and given the weightage, you should make sure that you do this part of your assignment properly.
One of the best ways to ensure that you do well in your STPM information and communications technology subject is to hire a tutor from Superprof. You might think that a tutor can help you only with your written assessment, but it might come as a surprise to you that your tutors are fully equipped to help you with your coursework as well. Sueprprof is an online platform that connects tutors with students from all over the world. We don’t only have tutors for information and communications technology but also for a variety of diverse subjects and fields. We even have tutors for hobbies.
This company started years ago in France, where we noticed the gap between tutors and students. Our aim to fill this gap was met with tremendous support, and within a short period of time, we managed to expand all over the world, including Malaysia. There are many students who are looking for tutors in Malaysia, and most of the time, you can only find them in abundance in big cities. With our platform’s help, we can help students from every state and city.
Our platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate. All you will need to do is head over to our website, search for your subject—in this case, information and communications technology—and choose your location. When you click search, you will be presented with a list of tutors near you. You can easily view their profiles, which include their qualifications and experience, as well as their rates and reviews from other students. What sets our website apart is its flexibility and dedication to helping our students find the best tutor for them.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
