How to Register for SPM as a Private Candidate
Need some help registering for SPM? This guide to SPM for private candidates is for you.
Updated 03 Sep 2024
Note: The application date will be announced soon.
Are you planning to sit for SPM as a private candidate?
We’re here to help. Here’s a guide on how you can register for SPM as a private candidate, plus some extra stuff you should know.
#1. What are the steps to apply for SPM as a private candidate?
Step 1: Register as an SPM Candidate
Visit the Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia website.
For new SPM candidates who have not taken SPM before, click on Daftar Calon Baharu and fill in your IC Number. Subsequently, you’ll need to complete your personal details to proceed.
If you have sat for SPM before and are resitting your papers, click on Daftar Calon Mengulang. You’ll be prompted for your IC Number, examination year and angka giliran. This information can be obtained from your SPM certificate. Thereafter, complete your personal details to proceed.
Step 2: Select your subjects
In this section, you will be asked to choose the subjects you wish to take.
If you are taking SPM for the first time, there are 6 compulsory papers you must sign up for. They are Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa Inggeris, Sejarah, Mathematics, Science and Pendidikan Islam / Moral.
On top of that, you can also choose to sit for any of these 23 papers:
- Literature in English
- Geografi
- Bahasa Arab
- Additional Mathematics
- Prinsip Perakaunan (1, 2, 4)
- Perniagaan
- Ekonomi
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Additional Science
- Tasawwur Islam
- Pendidikan Al-Quran dan Al-Sunnah
- Pendidikan Syariah Islamiah
- Bahasa Cina
- Bahasa Tamil
- Bahasa Iban
- Bahasa Kadazandusun
- Bahasa Semai
- Kesusasteraan Cina
- Kesusasteraan Tamil
- Bible Knowledge
- Bahasa Punjabi
First-time candidates can only choose from the subjects listed. However, if you are a repeat candidate, you are allowed to sit for the papers you’ve taken before, even if they’re not on the list.
Note that the fees that you need to pay will be based on the number of subjects you’ve selected.
Note
You are not allowed to take Science if you have already registered for any of the two subjects from Physics, Chemistry or Biology. Similarly, Muslim students are not permitted to take Pendidikan Islam if they have registered for both Pendidikan Al-Quran dan Al-Sunnah and Pendidikan Syari’ah Islamiah.
Step 3: Choose the location to take your SPM papers
Once you’ve confirmed your papers, you’ll have to select an examination centre according to your state and district area. Once you key in your state and district, a list of examination centres (which have not yet reached their maximum capacity quota) will be displayed for you to choose.
Step 4: Verify your information
You’ll get one final chance to check and verify your information. Make sure everything is correct and accurate before you click “Send”. Don’t forget to check the box below the page after you’ve verified your info and read the terms and conditions before clicking send.
Once you’ve completed the online submission, make sure to print out the Pernyataan Pendaftaran Peperiksaan (PPP) to bring on your exam day.
Important
If you wish to make any changes or corrections to your information or subject, you need to apply at the JPN you’re registered to within the allocated period. Note that additional fees will apply for any changes or corrections.
Step 5: Make your payment
Payment must be made via online banking. All you need to do is just follow the series of prompts on the website.
PRO TIP
Still unclear on what to do? Check out the detailed guideline provided by the Ministry of Education here.
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Explore Now >#2. What you need to know about taking SPM as a private candidate
a) The process of registering as an SPM private candidate is relevant for both new candidates and repeating candidates
If you are a new SPM student (e.g. you have other qualifications such as IGCSE and need to take SPM to fulfil certain requirements such as applying for housemanship), you will need to register for SPM as a private candidate.
As a prior SPM candidate looking to repeat your papers, you have two options — resit your papers as part of SPM Ulangan, or resit your papers as part of the normal SPM exam.
With SPM Ulangan, only 3 papers are offered — Bahasa Melayu, Sejarah and Mathematics. If you want to resit other papers, or if you miss the deadline for SPM Ulangan, this process of registering for SPM as a private candidate will be applicable to you.
b) You need to be at least 16 years old
To qualify for the papers, you need to be at least 16 years of age on 1 January of the year you’re taking the exam.
c) You must take at least 6 papers but you don’t have to pass all of them
If you are sitting for SPM for the first time, there are 6 compulsory subjects you must take. However, it’s not necessary to pass them all.
This goes back to why you’re sitting for SPM. For students pursuing medicine, a pass in Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah is mandatory in order for you to apply for housemanship, which is required for you to register as a doctor. In this case, you will only need to focus on getting the required grades for these two papers.
In fact, you can even choose to not attend for other papers since your performance will be inconsequential. Of course, not sitting for the other papers can come with its own risks. So, before you choose to skip, make sure to check and get proper advice.
Do note that this only applies if you are registering for the first time. If you’re registering as a private candidate to retake a subject other than Bahasa Melayu or Sejarah, then there’s no need to register for the compulsory subjects since you’ve taken them before.
d) You will sit for your papers alongside other SPM candidates
Registering for SPM as a private candidate does not mean you’ll get your own private exam hall nor does it mean you can take the papers anytime you wish. You will have to sit for the papers just like other candidates.
The only major difference between you and other candidates is the fact that you have to register directly with the Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia while they do it through their schools.
The steps are pretty straightforward. But if you have more questions, you can check out the Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia website or call the nearest JPN or PPD.
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Dzulfazreena Dzulkefli
Too busy complaining about lemon but I sometimes read.
