Secondary School

Secondary school in Malaysia is the level of education after primary school. It aims to strengthen the students’ knowledge and prepare them for the journey after formal education. Structure of Secondary Education The secondary school system in Malaysia is divided into two main levels: Lower Secondary (Form 1 to Form 3) Students aged 13 to 15 years Following the Standard Secondary School Curriculum (KSSM) Main assessment: Final Academic Session Exam (UASA) Upper Secondary (Form 4 to Form 5) Students aged 16 to 17 Choice of elective subject such as STEM, Literature and Accounting Main examination: Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) Students who wish to continue to Form 6 will take the Malaysian Certificate of Higher Education (STPM)

Under the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE), national secondary schools consist of: National Secondary School (SMK) Open to all students Uses Malay language as the main medium of instruction Offers a general curriculum including academic and technical National-Type Secondary School (SMJK) Alternative national secondary schools with Mandarin language as the main medium of instruction for several subjects Using the same national curriculum as SMK The admission and placement of students to national secondary schools will be registered by national primary school teachers during Year 6 through the eDaftar Sekolah Menengah application. All Malaysian students will get a placement in a secondary school based on their current address.

To ensure that your child receives the education that suits their interests and learning tendencies, they can start exploring academic streams of their choice prior to applying to secondary school. Ministry of Education offers the Standard Secondary School Curriculum (KSSM) as follows: Lower Secondary (Form 1 to Form 3) Students are assessed through Classroom Assessment (PBD) and End of Academic Session Test (UASA) Senior Secondary (Form 4 to Form 5) Students need to take three groups of subjects, namely: Core Subjects Compulsory Subjects Elective Subjects Students can choose a combination of elective subjects based on their interests and abilities. The two Elective Subject packages offered are the STEM package and the Arts and Humanities package. Students can take a maximum of any five elective subjects from the following 4 groups: Language Humanities and Specializations Islamic Studies STEM However, the choice of elective subjects depends on the availability in each school.

For parents who wish to apply for a secondary school other than the National Secondary Schools offered, there are several options such as: Elite school under the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) Full boarding facilities to ensure students can focus on learning Offers academic curriculum and Islamic religious studies Boarding schools offered by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) There are several stream options with admission through specific assessments For students who are talented in the fields of music, theatre, dance and visual arts Offered starting from Form 1 only Specifically for potential student athletes Offers are subject to the Selection Committee Focus on several engineering and non-engineering streams of study Offered starting from upper secondary level (Form 4) Offers technical and skills programs Students will receive a skills certificate and can choose to work in technical industry after finishing school Enrollment begins during upper secondary level (Form 4) Combining academic curriculum with military and leadership training Offered from upper secondary (Form 4) for students with strict eligibility requirements Specifically for students with special needs (MBK), including students with visual, hearing and learning disabilities Using the British (IGCSE), American, IB, or other foreign curriculum

Full Boarding School (Sekolah Berasrama Penuh, SBP) are elite educational institutions established by the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) to provide a conducive learning environment for students who excel in both academics and co-curricular activities. Categories of Boarding Schools (SBP): Schools with a long history and outstanding reputation Focus on education in the fields of science and technology Combine the academic curriculum with Islamic religious education Emphasize Islamic religious education alongside the national curriculum.

National Religious Secondary Schools (SMKA) in Malaysia are institutions that integrate academic education with Islamic studies. Categories of SMKA in Malaysia: SMKA – Religious Stream Offers additional subjects such as Arabic Language, Quran and Sunnah Studies, and Islamic Syariah Studies. SMKA – Ulul Albab Tahfiz Model Focuses on Quran memorisation while integrating the National Curriculum The Integrated Tahfiz Curriculum (KBT), and the Ulul Albab Program. Apart from Fully Residential Schools (SBP) and special schools under MOE, parents may also send their children to MARA Junior Science Colleges (MRSM), which are managed by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA). MRSM Education System (SPMRSM) The MRSM Education System (SPMRSM) is divided into five programs based on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Apart from Fully Residential Schools (SBP) and special schools under MOE, parents may also send their children to MARA Junior Science Colleges (MRSM), which are managed by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA). MRSM Education System (SPMRSM) The MRSM Education System (SPMRSM) is divided into five programs based on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Vocational Colleges (KV) are institutions that offer vocational and technical education. Students in KV will obtain the Malaysian Vocational Certificate (SVM), Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM), and the Vocational College Diploma. Admission to KV begins at Form 4. Students who are interested are required to take the Special School Admission Assessment (PKSK). Assessments and Certificates in KV Students will receive the Malaysian Vocational Certificate (SVM), which is equivalent to the Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM), and the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level 3 They may also further their studies to the Vocational College Diploma level if eligible Graduates can directly enter the workforce upon completion of their studies or continue to advanced diploma or degree programs at Public Higher Education Institutions (IPTA) or Private Higher Education Institutions (IPTS)

Technical Secondary Schools (SMT) are secondary schools that offer both academic and technical education simultaneously to Form 4 and Form 5 students. Streams Offered at SMT: Civil Engineering Electrical & Electronic Engineering Mechanical Engineering Commerce Agricultural Science Assessments and Certificates Awarded: Students sit for the Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) Outstanding students may further their studies to diploma level at polytechnics, technical matriculation colleges, Public Higher Education Institutions (IPTA), or Private Higher Education Institutions (IPTS)

The Royal Military College (MTD) is an elite military education institution located in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur. Students are given early exposure to military life for those who wish to join the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM). Only male students are eligible to apply to MTD. Education Structure at MTD: Upper Secondary Level (Form 4 & Form 5) Students will follow the Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) curriculum according to the selected academic stream. Military Training Students undergo physical, leadership, and discipline-based military training such as marching and self-defense.

Beginning in 2025, applications for Form 1 admission to special schools, namely SBP, MRSM and SMKA, have been consolidated into a single application system. Parents are encouraged to review the admission requirements and their child’s eligibility for the targeted special schools before applying. Application method Applications can be made online through the official portal of the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) Filling up Application You are encouraged to refer to the application guide as follows. Be sure to also check the admission requirements for each of the school Check for admission results Check the admission offer results for special schools at the following link:

If you show particular interest and inclination during lower secondary, you may choose the following special schools for Form 4 application: Fully Residential Schools (SBP) National Religious Secondary Schools (SMKA) MARA Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) Vocational Colleges (KV) Technical Secondary Schools (SMT) Royal Military College (MTD) For each of the above special school applications, you may check the admission requirements and application information at the following link:

If your child has a strong talent or interest in the arts, they may apply to the Malaysia Arts School (SSeM). SSeM is a special education institution that offers academic education and formal arts training for students talented in the arts. Fields of Study at SSeM SSeM offers education in four main fields of the arts: Visual Arts Drawing, sculpture, design, illustration, and digital art Music Music theory, vocal training, classical and modern instruments, and music composition Dance Traditional and modern dance techniques, choreography, and stage performance Theatre Acting, directing, script writing, and theatre production Admission Application Selection Criteria Students shortlisted through the Malaysia Arts School Student Application System will be invited to participate in the Art Talent Showcase Session (Sesi Serlahan Seni) according to their chosen field. The Art Talent Showcase Session will be held in November each year nationwide, in collaboration with the State Education Departments (JPN).

Malaysia Sports Schools (SSM) are special education institutions established by the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) with the focus of offering academic education and formal sports training to produce young athletes talented in various sports such as football, badminton, athletics, and others. Admission Conducted twice a year (January and July) Students are nominated through Talent Identification and Development (TID) by the Sports, Co-Curricular and Arts Division (BSKK), or by nominations from the National Sports Council (MSN), National Sports Associations (PSK), State Education Departments (JPN), Malaysia Sports Schools (SSM), and State Sports Schools (SSN) Offers are decided by the Selection Committee Students must meet the admission requirements

Apart from mainstream secondary schools under the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE), parents also have the option of sending their children to private educational institutions (IPS). Private limited companies, organizations/associations, foundations, cooperatives, or foreign embassies manage these IPS. Types of Private Secondary Schools in Malaysia Follow the national curriculum, i.e., the Secondary School Standard Curriculum (KSSM). Follow the national curriculum with additional programs provided by the respective State Religious Authorities. Offer foreign curricula and use English as the medium of instruction. Five approved curricula: British Curriculum American Curriculum International Baccalaureate (IB) Canadian Curriculum Australian Curriculum Examples of examinations: Cambridge IGCSE, A-Level, SAT Follow the national curriculum, i.e., the Secondary School Standard Curriculum (KSSM) for Special Education. Use the curriculum and medium of instruction of their country of origin, providing education specifically for that community. The main assessment is the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).