Pass rate in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) dropped from 91% in 2012 to 85% in 2013

The percentage of candidates who were able to obtain Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) certificates fell from 91.2 per centin 2012 to 85.5 per cent in 2013.

According to some observers, history may have an impact to the decrease in the percentage of students receiving the SPM certificates. History was made a must-pass subject in SPM starting 2013.

However, Education director-general Datuk Dr Khair Mohamad Yusof notes that it also takes a combination of subjects to contribute to fewer students who qualify.

"For instance, candidates who have passed History but failed Bahasa Melayu would still not be able to obtain the SPM certificates," Khair said when releasing the analysis of SPM results at the Education Ministry on Thursday

The percentage of candidates who passed History in 2013 was 86.6% compared to 80.3% in 2012. As for Bahasa Melayu, the passing percentage was 91.4% in 2013 compared to 91.1% in 2012.

A total of 405 candidates (0.21%) of 442,588 candidates scored straight A+ in all papers. Of the top scorers, 366 candidates were from national schools while 39 were from other schools or private candidates.