Its minister Fadhlina Sidek said various entrance examination pathways such as Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM), foundation programmes, and matriculation had been established to offer those who passed SPM a broader range of options, in line with their individual interests and abilities.
She said each of these pathways has its own academic structure and curriculum designed to cater to diverse student needs.
“Accordingly, the assessment approaches used also differ, consistent with the objectives and direction of each programme,” she said in a written parliamentary reply.
Fadhlina was responding to V Ganabatirau (PH-Klang) who asked if the education ministry had considered implementing a standardised examination for all students as a prerequisite for admission into public universities.
Fadhlina said the proposal to implement a single standardised entrance exam could indeed streamline the process. “However, its implementation requires careful consideration, as it involves multiple ministries, differing academic structures, and varied assessment methods.”
She stressed that such reforms must be preceded by in-depth research and comprehensive evaluation to ensure alignment with the ministry’s commitment to providing equitable and high-quality education access to all students, regardless of their background.
Last month, higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir urged the public not to challenge the existing university entrance examinations and system as they have a proven track record of producing excellent students.
Zambry also said the ministry was always seeking ways to improve the Unit Pusat Universiti (UPU) online entrance gateway.
His comments came after a student group called for the matriculation programme to be replaced by STPM as the sole standard for admission to degree programmes at public universities.
However, Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth later apologised saying the word “abolish” had caused misunderstanding and that what it meant was to merge the matriculation programme with the STPM examination, based on the STPM syllabus.
It said the STPM syllabus has proven to be better as it was more challenging and internationally recognised.