Poor SPM Results? Here's What You Can Do Next
So you've gotten your SPM results and didn't do as well as you imagined? Read on to find out what you can do.
Updated 22 Apr 2025
So, the day of reckoning is over, and you’ve gotten your SPM results — but they aren’t what you expected. Maybe you fell short in subjects you thought you’d ace.
While it’s completely okay to feel disappointed or even guilty, remember — it’s not the end of the world. After all, SPM is just one small test in the grand scheme of things. In fact, there are plenty of ways you can turn things around for the better.
So, take all the time you need to process the results, but once that's done, pick yourself up and start planning the next steps.
Here are 5 things you can do if your SPM results weren’t as good as you anticipated.
#1. Appeal your grades
If you are seeking to meet the entry requirements for your desired pre-university course, or if you think your grades are right below the borderline to a higher grade, you can try getting your paper marked again by the Board of Examination.
To submit an appeal, go to the Lembaga Peperiksaan website or the e-Lembaga Peperiksaan app (e-LP). Create an account and fill in your information. Do note that there will be a fee charged per paper.
You'll need to appeal within 30 days after SPM results are made public. Unfortunately, any applications made after that will not be entertained so submit an appeal as soon as you get your results. You will receive your reviewed results within 2 months after the appeal deadline.
After you've done this, all you can do is keep your fingers crossed!
#2. Retake your subjects
If you are not confident that having your papers reviewed will improve your grades, you can choose to resit your papers.
Note that you can only register for 3 subjects for the SPM Ulangan through the Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia website, which are:
- Mathematics
- Bahasa Melayu
- Sejarah
Do note that there is a fee for each of the subjects you plan to resit. Resitting papers are usually for students who are looking to enter specific pre-university or degree courses. If you want to retake papers for other subjects, you will need to register as an SPM private candidate (retake) and sit for the papers with the rest of the present year’s SPM students.
Do consider this option thoroughly as it will take another year for you to obtain better grades. By then, your peers may have already completed a year of their pre-university studies, so be sure to make it count!
For a step-by-step guide on repeating your SPM subjects, click here.
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Start Now#3. Pursue diploma or certificate courses
If you’re missing a couple of credits from your SPM slip, you can also consider other pathways, such as pursuing a diploma or certificate. After all, they can still lead you to selected degree courses.
A diploma only requires 3 credits at SPM. A diploma typically takes 3 years to complete. Thereafter, you can then progress to the second year of a relevant degree. This makes your total study duration similar to taking a foundation, then a degree.
Certificate courses, on the other hand, require only 1 credit, as long as you pass Bahasa Melayu and History. This programme is typically 12-18 months long. Completing a certificate will allow you to progress to a diploma and subsequently a degree.
So if you think retaking your papers will not change your grades, you may consider these alternatives, provided that you meet the entry requirements.
#4. Consider TVET programmes
TVET refers to Technical and Vocational Education and Training, a vocational pathway that's designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and competencies required for specific trades, crafts or professions. The TVET pathway is an alternate pathway for those who learn better through practical and hands-on work and is a good option for those who did not do so well for SPM.
Instead of academic learning, TVET programmes combine theoretical instruction with hands-on learning, allowing you to develop practical skills in specific areas such as culinary/baking, hospitality, early childhood education, automotive maintenance, business and precision engineering. These programmes often collaborate closely with industry partners, and some TVET colleges even have a job guarantee.
At the end of your programme, you will obtain a skills certificate known as Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM). Essentially, the TVET pathway allows you to continue your education, even if you do not have an SPM certificate.
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#5. Start working
If you feel that studying isn’t for you, you can always enter the workforce after SPM.
For a start, you can work your way up the career ladder by taking on jobs such as sales advisor, administrative officer, customer service executive, tutor for primary students, service or kitchen crew, technician and conveyancing clerk.
Alternatively, if you have a creative or technical skill that people will pay for, such as mobile app or web development, writing, video editing and graphic design, there are plenty of freelance opportunities available.
And if the entrepreneurial spirit is burning inside you, have a go at starting a business! Whether it’s custom cakes, handcrafted nail press-ons or the next Minecraft, it’s easier than ever to be an entrepreneur, especially with social media right in the palm of our hands.
Launching yourself into the working world does not mean that your education stops there — conversely, you can still enjoy a steep learning curve, only without the systematic methods to guide you.
#6. Contact us
If you find yourself stuck at a crossroads or need some guidance planning the next steps, you can always get in touch with us here by speaking to our education advisors. Get solid advice, compare programmes and institutions, find out if you're eligible for PTPTN, and we can even apply to universities for you. The best part — it’s all free!
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if your SPM results are good or bad because it’s not the end of the road yet. There are still plenty of things you can do to secure your future. Many have managed to become successful, even without a string of As. Good luck!
Wondering which courses you can get into with your grades? We’ll give you the details here.
Chia Wei Choong
Retiring night owl. Occasionally addicted to caffeine and absolutely addicted to fried chicken.
