The Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM, English: Malaysian Higher School Certificate) is a pre-university examination taken by students in Malaysia UK , and is still the name of the pre-university examination in some states in Australia
The STPM is set and run by the Malaysian Examinations Council (Majlis Peperiksaan Malaysia
STPM is internationally recognised by many universities, especially those within the Commonwealth of Nations as well as the United States and the Republic of Ireland
"Form Six" is the name given to the STPM pre-university programme. Unlike the other five forms which are year-long grades, Form 6 lasts one and a half years. Form 6 is divided into two levels; the first half year is known as Lower Sixth Form and the other whole year is known as Upper Sixth Form. There are two main field of study offered in Form 6; humanities and sciences. In science stream, it divides into two called physical science and biological science.
Students in Form Six are called sixth formers. Sixth formers in most schools generally form their own association, officially called the Pre-University Student Representatives Council (Malay: Majlis Perwakilan Pelajar Pra-Universiti).
STPM candidates in biological science must take General studies, Mathematics T, Chemistry and Biology.
Syllabus
Biology Syllabus (964)
Form of Examination
Candidates are required to enter for Papers 1, 2, and either Paper 3 or Paper 4.
Paper 1 (1¾ hours): 50 compulsory multiple-choice questions are to be answered.
Paper 2 (2½ hours): 4 compulsory structured questions in Section A and 4 out of 6 essay questions in Section B are to be answered.
Paper 3 (School term): 20 compulsory experiments are to be carried out for school-based assessment of practical work.
Paper 4 (1 hour): 2 compulsory structured questions are to be answered in this written practical test which is an alternative to Paper 3. *Candidates repeating upper six, candidates taking an additional science subject outside the school time-table, and private candidates are required to take this paper.
Grades and Grade Points
STPM uses a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) system. There are 11 grades, which are A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+ and D, with F as the failing grade. The grade points for each of these grades are between 4.0 and 1.0, A being 4.0 and D- being 1.0. The F grade gives a grade point of 0.
| Grade | Grade Points | |
| A | 4.00 | Principal |
| A- | 3.67 | |
| B+ | 3.33 | |
| B | 3.00 | |
| B- | 2.67 | |
| C+ | 2.33 | |
| C | 2.00 | |
| C- | 1.67 | Sub-fail |
| D+ | 1.33 | |
| D | 1.00 | |
| F | 0.00 | Fail |
In order to pass a paper, candidate must at least score a C (2.00) or above. Having a grade between D to C- is a sub-fail (lulus separa).
Each paper's grade appears on the result slip and the certificate. The subject's grade and grade point is determined by the weighted average results of all papers in that subject, where all papers must be passed, otherwise the grade and grade point would be, respectively, F and 0. The cumulative grade point average is the average of the top four subjects taken and usually rounded up to 2 decimal points. Therefore, if a student scores A in four subjects and fail in the fifth, his CGPA would be 4.0.
The actual range of scores within each grade is undisclosed and changes annually, depending on the performance of the candidates. Usually, the range of marks of science subjects is relatively higher than non-science subjects.
Cumulative and subject GPA at 2.0 and above is considered a pass with credit or principal pass. GPA below 2.0 is considered sub-fail, and a 0 is considered a fail. Admissions to local public universities require at least a GPA of 2.0 and above, though private universities, university colleges and colleges generally may accept student with CGPA less than 2.0.
The CGPA system in STPM poses some problems for admissions to American universities because the GPA range between 4.0 and 0 (unlike Advanced Placement range of 5.0 to 0) may understate the academic achievements of an applicant.