Wondering if there’s a comprehensive guide to SPM Sejarah? A guide that will break down everything you need to know to prepare for the nation’s most important examination?
Whether you’re sitting for the exam this year or you’re in Form 4 and want to get ahead, this guide covers the essentials: exam format, marking scheme, study strategies, and recommended resources.
We get it – most students are not big fans of Sejarah as many find it overwhelming and challenging to memorise dates, names and historical events. Many students think that the subject is dry and boring. The truth is, this mindset is the reason many students struggle to score well in SPM.
The good news is, this doesn’t have to be a struggle or challenge forever. With the right study approach and tutor, you will not only pass the paper but also fall in love with the subject.
Beyond passing, understanding the stories and events in your textbook will not only guide you to learn Malaysia's rich history but also deepen your appreciation for it. History is a fascinating subject that offers deep insight into past events – the what, who, when, and why behind them.
Complete Guide to SPM Sejarah
- SPM Sejarah Syllabus
- Chapters Covered in Tingkatan 4 & Tingkatan 5
- Examination Format for Paper 1 & Paper 2
- Where to Get Sejarah Past Year Papers
- Effective Study Methods
- Best Materials for Exam Preparation
- Tips to Score Well
- Why is History an Important Subject?
To obtain the SPM certificate, students must pass two compulsory subjects:
Bahasa Melayu (Malay Language)
Sejarah (History)
Failing either one of these subjects means the student will not receive the full SPM certificate, even if they pass all other subjects.
SPM Sejarah Syllabus for Form 4 & Form 5
Let's take a look at the syllabus that is covered in this subject. Please keep in mind that students will be tested based on what they have learned in both Form 4 and Form 5.
The current syllabus is based on the Secondary School Standard Curriculum (Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Menengah - KSSM), which was implemented in stages in 2017. The first cohort of students sat for SPM under this new syllabus in 2021.
KSSM Sejarah aims to provide an understanding of society, Malaysia and the world. This effort can foster and strengthen self-identity and the spirit of loyalty to the country, and shape Malaysians who are not only knowledgeable but also aware of our history. It also aims to foster a spirit of unity, a sense of belonging, and national awareness while strengthening the feeling of love for the country.
Wanna know what the chapters covered are in both Form 4 & 5 Sejarah textbooks? Find them below:
Chapters Covered in Sejarah Tingkatan 4 Textbook:
Bab 1: Warisan Negara Bangsa
Bab 2: Kebangkitan Nasionalisme
Bab 3: Konflik Dunia dan Pendudukan Jepun Di Negara Kita
Bab 4: Era Peralihan Kuasa British Di Negara Kita
Bab 5: Persekutuan Tanah Melayu 1948
Bab 6: Ancaman Komunis dan Perisytiharan Darurat
Bab 7: Usaha Ke Arah Kemerdekaan
Bab 8: Pilihan Raya
Bab 9: Perlembagaan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu 1957
Bab 10: Pemasyuran Kemerdekaan
Chapters Covered in Sejarah Tingkatan 5 Textbook:
Bab 1: Kedaulatan Negara
Bab 2: Perlembagaan Persekutuan
Bab 3: Raja Berperlembagaan dan Demokrasi Berparlimen
Bab 4: Sistem Persekutuan
Bab 5: Pembentukan Malaysia
Bab 6: Cabaran Selepas Pembentukan Malaysia
Bab 7: Membina Kesejahteraan Negara
Bab 8: Membina Kemakmuran Negara
Bab 9: Dasar Luar Malaysia
Bab 10: Kecemerlangan Malaysia Di Persada Dunia
With the KSSM syllabus, students are taught to grasp the characteristics of history so that they can build their critical and analytical thinking skills. These skills are cultivated and applied by students by being exposed to various elements of studying history, such as examining chronology, exploring evidence, making interpretations, and rationalisations.
SPM Sejarah Examination Format
Now that we have a clear picture of the syllabus, let’s take a look at the examination format. Previously, there were three papers for the SPM Sejarah, but it has been reduced to two papers as per the new format since 2021. The paper 3 questions in the old setup have been incorporated into paper 2 in this new setup to make it easier for students.
Please refer below for the detailed format of the SPM Sejarah for Paper 1 and Paper 2 based on KSSM:
Kertas 1 (Paper 1) - Multiple Choice (40 marks)
This paper contains 40 multiple-choice questions, which you are required to answer in one hour.
Kertas 2 (Paper 2) - Subjective (100 marks)
On the other hand, paper 2 is divided into 2 sections (Bahagian A & Bahagian B):
Bahagian A (Structured Limited Response): 4 compulsory questions, carrying a total of 40 marks.
Bahagian B (Open Response): 5 questions in total; you are required to answer any 3 questions, carrying a total of 60 marks.
If you would like to view the complete format for each SPM subject, you can download it from the Lembaga Peperiksaan official website.
As a student, you might be more focused on passing the subject. Therefore, your concentration might be on the technical aspects, such as the exam format, marking scheme, tips on how to study and where you can find the best materials to study History easily. Your sole focus is to score in SPM effectively.
However, the Ministry of Education’s move to make this subject a must-pass in SPM is not meant to torture students, but to ensure that students take it seriously. In the following sections, you’ll discover why Sejarah is important – keep reading. Find out how examiners grade SPM Sejarah and discover strategies to predict the hottest topics – our guide shows you how.
Where to Find SPM Sejarah Past Year Papers?
Knowing the grading system is important to ensure you understand what examiners are looking for when marking the papers. However, answering the questions following the grading guidelines won’t come easily unless you’re practising ahead of your exam. You’ll have to practice a lot of SPM past-year and trial paper questions to get used to the exam structure and get a realistic sense of the questions.
You can find free SPM Sejarah previous year papers and sometimes trial papers from other states in the following platforms:
- Google Search: Just type the subject that you’re looking for and hit the search button. There are plenty of sites offering free downloads of these papers.
- Facebook: Some Facebook groups are offering the latest collection of actual SPM previous year papers and trial papers.
- Bookstores: You can find a collection of these papers in an exercise book form for purchase in some selected online/physical bookstores.
Remember, practising with past year SPM papers improves familiarity with the SPM Sejarah format and increases your confidence when answering during the actual exam.
Discover a comprehensive collection of free SPM Sejarah past-year papers and trial questions in our article, and find out where to access them for your revision.
Effective Study Methods for Sejarah SPM
We’ve looked at how to find SPM Sejarah past-year papers and where to find them in the previous section. However, does that alone guarantee success? Not yet. Success in Sejarah isn’t only about memorising facts and practising past-year papers; it’s about strategic preparation. There’s more to add to this formula to achieve success in SPM Sejarah.
Let’s take a look at the ways you can excel in SPM Sejarah and finally achieve your desired result:
- Practice with questions: We’ve explored this in the previous section, and by now you should know that it’s undeniably the most effective method for scoring well on the paper. Practising the actual past year and trial papers makes you familiar with the exam structure and marking scheme.
- Comprehend the historical story: Don’t just memorise events; focus on making sense of them.
- Use mind maps: Create mind maps to guide you in seeing the bigger picture and remembering difficult facts more easily.
If you require extra support, watch the video below to figure out how to use mind maps to create your own Sejarah notes.
- Use the textbook as your main reference: Ensure you are using the KSSM Form 4 & Form 5 textbooks as your primary reference. Other books or online materials can be used as supplementary support if required.
- Study with friends: If you find studying alone boring, you can opt for group study sessions with your friends and classmates to support each other and exchange ideas.
- Revise consistently: Spend time revising every day to revise one historical event or fact instead of trying to cram everything the night before and spill it all out at once during the test.
Want to master the best study methods to excel in History? Check out our detailed article for a step-by-step guide.
Best Resources for SPM Sejarah Revision (Form 4 & Form 5)
We have looked at the effective study methods that actually work to secure the grade that you’re aiming for in Sejarah in SPM. Now, let’s take a look at the best resources that you can refer to when preparing for your examination. Some resources are must-haves in your revision plan, and there are some others that you can consider including if required. Let’s take a look at them, shall we?
- Sejarah Form 4 and Form 5 textbook: As mentioned in the earlier section, these are your essential references that precede any other materials. Your answers should be based primarily on the content from these textbooks.
- Past-year and trial papers: These are also essential as they guide you to familiarise yourself with the actual format and the structure of the questions. As the only source of truth, they enable learners to avoid confusion from inaccurate or misleading information.
- YouTube: Unlike those days when students relied on textbooks, notes, and lectures, today, you can find almost anything on the internet. YouTube, especially, is flooded with a lot of learning videos from teachers and students around the country sharing their tips, notes and strategies to score well.
- Study groups: Forming a group to study is an effective idea because learning becomes more enjoyable when done with people you feel comfortable with.
- Tutoring: This is a great option for students who require support outside of school. Some students may fall behind in their class because of the complexity of the topic or the overload of information. Whatever the reason might be, it’s always recommended to get a tutor to assist with the subjects in which you require extra attention, and there’s to be ashamed of it.
- Reference notes & books: Besides the school textbooks, there are also reference books out there that simplify the historical facts, making them easier for students to understand. These books often present notes in different structures, such as mind maps, timelines or summary tables, which allow learners to absorb and remember historical events more effectively.
These are some of the materials that you can use to revise the subject and excel in the exam. You may not require all of them, but the list highlights the options available to you – just pick what you really need. With all these materials at your fingertips, you’re well-equipped to achieve your desired score in SPM Sejarah.
Want to dive deeper into the best resources for SPM Sejarah revision? Check out our full article – you won’t want to miss it!
How to Score in SPM Sejarah Malaysia?
We’ve covered the best resources to prepare for your exam. When you combine these with the study methods that we shared earlier, the results can be remarkable! Remember, you always need to integrate strategies to ensure success rather than just relying on one. The good news? It doesn’t stop here; we’re going to share some top tips to guide you toward better results.
Here are exam-focused techniques that can support you in scoring well for SPM:
- Targeted revision: Focus on key topics from the Sejarah Tingkatan 4 and Sejarah Tingkatan 5 syllabuses. You can easily identify these by checking past-year SPM questions or online references. Some topics might appear almost every year, so prioritising them can save time. Sometimes teachers may drop hints in class, so make sure to pay close attention!
- Predict the question patterns: When you analyse SPM trial questions and past year SPM questions, you can identify recurring question types and commonly tested topics. This allows you to focus your revision on high-probability questions and practice answering them, using the marking scheme.
- Answer techniques: For Paper 2, you’ll need to write your answers carefully. In Bahagian A, focus on highlighting key facts. In Bahagian B, answer clearly and concisely, following the structure: isi > huraian > contoh, using examples from the textbooks.
- Time management: Allocate time wisely for both kertas 1 and kertas 2. Poor time management during the SPM can lead to skipped questions. Practising with trial and past-year papers can assist you in gauging how much time you need, especially kertas 2, which includes both structured limited-response and open-response questions.
For a detailed guide on exam-specific strategies to boost your score, check out our full article.
History is not just about memorising facts; it’s about understanding the stories that shape our nation and our identity.
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Why is Sejarah Kemerdekaan Malaysia an Important Subject for Students?
Learn from Past Events
Studying and getting to know our history helps the younger generation gain insights from past events. Historical events contain various lessons. For example, learning that Malaya was colonised and oppressed by the British and Japanese colonialists will make the younger generation realise that we lost our independence due to a lack of unity among ourselves, which in turn caused us to fall into the deceitful trap of outside forces.
By engaging with the history taught in school, the younger generation that will drive the future of the country can avoid making the same mistakes of the past and create more glorious successes. Without reflecting on these lessons, we may repeat the same mistakes that not only harm an individual but may also harm the family, society and country.
Instil Unity Between Races
Studying history will instil unity between races, especially among the younger generation. The education system in Malaysia, while being suited for the multi-racial society in the country by having vernacular schools, public schools, private schools and religious schools, can also contribute towards segregation between the many races from a young age.
However, by studying history, the element of unity will be nurtured indirectly. For example, the Sejarah syllabus reflects the struggles all races went through during the colonisation period and how independence was gained by a joint effort of all races coming together. If the people prioritise the value of unity, the peace and stability of the country will definitely be guaranteed.
Cultivating Patriotic Spirit
If we look at the situation today, society no longer appreciates the services of our warriors and leaders who have worked hard to free our country from colonisation. The young generation should remember the services and contributions of national figures such as Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun H.S. Lee and Tun V. T. Sambanthan. These statesmen have struggled to find a way so that we can enjoy prosperity and peace in our beloved country.
Therefore, the spirit of patriotism can be nurtured in the souls of the younger generation, and they will always be grateful and appreciate the sacrifices of the previous warriors like Datuk Maharaja Lela, Mat Kilau and other leaders. May their names always be remembered by the younger generation.
Get Started with Superprof
We talked earlier about getting Sejarah tutors, as additional help can be really beneficial for your growth as a student and for achieving your desired SPM grade. We get it, it’s not easy to find a tutor these days, given the pool of tutors to choose from. That’s why we at Superprof are committed to making this experience as smooth and painless as possible for you.
Our platform is designed to connect learners and tutors worldwide, making learning possible even across the globe. So, you don’t have to leave your house to meet your potential tutor and decide if they are the right fit; instead, you can log into our website, create a free account and start looking for a tutor immediately in your preferred location.
Superprof is home to over 37 000 experienced Sejarah tutors – we can guarantee that you will find a tutor for you! All you have to do after setting up a free account with us is browse through the set of experienced teachers’ profiles and find a teacher who you think can help you.
You can drop a message to the tutor if you require further clarification beyond what’s displayed on their profile. If in doubt, most of our tutors offer their first session FREE. You can grab that opportunity before deciding to commit.
Remember, studying for Sejarah doesn’t have to be daunting. Do not wait till the last minute to seek support. Start early and find the right tutor that suits your needs on Superprof!
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I like sejarah
me too ^^
sejarah i not like because i am lost