Tips for SPM Sejarah and Pendidikan Moral

For my SPM in year 2012, I got 9A+ and 1A. I got A+ for both Sejarah and
Pendidikan Moral. Do you want to know how to score in SPM for these 2
subjects? Here, I am posting the complete tips for SPM Sejarah and
Pendidikan Moral. These tips are intended for Form 4 and Form 5 students
this year who are taking SPM 2014 or SPM 2015.

Tips for other SPM subjects can be found here:

Notice:
Sejarah is one of the most difficult subjects to study, because there are so
many facts to remember, so studying it requires a lot of time. In order to be
able to cover all topics, you must start your revision at least 2 weeks before
the exam date. However, Sejarah is not difficult to score. The mark scheme
for Sejarah Paper 2 is quite lenient, and the minimum marks to get A+ for
Sejarah is quite low, usually between 75 and 80. For Pendidikan Moral,
there are rumours that the minimum mark to get A+ may be as high as 95.
However, that is not true so please do not believe that. The minimum mark
to get A+ for Pendidikan Moral is usually only 90. It is also not difficult to
score in Pendidikan Moral, you just need to master the correct answering
techniques.


SPM Sejarah:

1. Studying tips
- Both the Form 4 and Form 5 textbooks are 100% complete. If you are in
Form 5 and you do not have the Form 4 textbook, I would recommend you
to buy one from the bookshop or borrow one from your friends and
photostat it. However, studying using the textbooks can be boring, difficult
and slow because they contain too much text in essay form. Therefore, you
should also get a reference book. I recommend you to use the Success
Sejarah SPM reference book by Oxford Fajar. However, the reference book
is only about 95% complete.
- When studying a topic for the first time, read though the facts and
explanations in the reference book. If possible, you should read it as a story
to help you remember it and also make it more interesting to study. Try to
understand every sentence that you read because this can help you to
remember them. However, it may not be possible to understand some facts
because there is no explanation for them. You should have an idea on what
you have read and understood.
- Then, you have to remember everything that you have read. Do not
memorise exactly all sentences because it is almost impossible to do so
since there are so many sentences in the book. Instead, you should
memorise the keywords for every sentence which can give you the idea on
what that sentence is about. You can then use those keywords to create
your own sentence. Make sure that you can remember what every
sentence is about.
- For events or incidents, the sentences are often related to each other by
'cause-and-effect', where the event in one sentence is caused by another
event in the previous sentence, and will cause another event in the
following sentence. Try to find out that relationship because it can help you
remember the events. You should also try to remember it as a story that
you have read. For facts, you should remember it based on your
understanding if there is explanation for them. If there are too many facts
for a particular subtopic, you can try to group two or more similar facts
together and remember them as one.
- You need to do revision for every topics regularly in order to ensure that
you remember everything for a long time. The more revision you do, the
more you can remember. Revise as many times as you can until you are
sure that you have remembered everything. When doing revision, go
through all the facts and explanations in the reference book. You should
find out what you still remember and what you have forgotten. For anything
that you have forgotten, you must memorise it again.
- Since the reference book is only about 95% complete, after you have
understood and remembered everything in the reference book, you should
go through the textbooks as well. Look for facts in the textbook that are not
found in the reference book, especially those in the Sudut Maklumat. You
should read though and understand them, then remember them.
- You also have to do exercises. Buy exercise books from the bookshop.
You can start by doing topical questions topic by topic. When you have
understood all topics, proceed with doing SPM model test papers, past
year SPM trial questions and past year actual SPM questions. They should
be available from bookshops. After doing the exercises, refer to the
suggested answer or mark scheme and do self marking.
- You should sometimes refer to the mark scheme of past year SPM trial
papers to find out how every question is marked and which points need to
be included in the answers for every question. Usually, the same types of
questions will have similar mark scheme, so this can help you when
answering exam questions.
- When doing revision before exam, you should first go through the
subtopics that you think you may have forgotten. Then, go through other
topics as well if possible.
- Every year, there are predictions made by teachers on the subtopics that
will be tested in the SPM Sejarah Paper 2. Usually, only some but not all of
the predictions are true. You should not rely on those predictions and you
should prepare for all topics if possible. Besides that, subtopics that have
been tested in the previous year Paper 2 are usually not tested again in the
following year Paper 2, but this is not always true. You can skip those
topics if you do not have time, but avoid doing so if possible.
- One months before the exam, a general topic will be released for Sejarah
Paper 3. You should look for materials that are relevant to the topic in
books, newspapers, magazines, the internet and other sources. You should
also discuss with your teacher and friends about that topic.

2. Paper 1
- Read the question and all the options carefully. Cancel off the options that
you consider as definitely wrong. Then, choose the most suitable answer
among the 4 options.

3. Paper 2 Bahagian A
- You need not answer in complete sentences. You are allowed to write
extra answers for all questions. Marks will only be given for the correct
answers, and marks will not be deducted for wrong or unacceptable
answers. There is no limit on how many answers you are allowed to write.

4. Paper 2 Bahagian B
- You must answer in continuous writing form. You are not allowed to
answer in point form, table form, mind map, flow chart or any other forms. If
you do so, half of the marks you scored for that question will be deducted.
(For example, if you get 6 marks, 3 marks will be deducted.) You should
also answer in complete sentences so that your answer can be easily
understood.
- If the question says 'Nyatakan', 'Berikan', 'Namakan', 'Tuliskan' or
something similar, you only need to write facts without elaboration. If the
question says 'Jelaskan', 'Terangkan', 'Huraikan', 'Bincangkan' or
something similar, you should give facts and elaborations. The number of
marks allocated for the question usually shows the number of points
needed in your answer. 1 mark is given for each correct point. Do not miss
out any important points in your answer. You are allowed to write extra
points in your answer. Marks will only be given for the correct points, and
marks will not be deducted for wrong or unacceptable points. There is no
limit on how many points you are allowed to write.

5. Paper 2 both Bahagian A & B
- Bahagian A consists of 4 structured questions where you must answer all
questions while Bahagian B consists of 7 essay questions and you can
choose any 3 of them. You can answer extra questions in Bahagian B if
you have time. The examiner will mark all questions you answer and
choose the questions where you score the highest marks.
- When answering, read the question carefully. Make sure that you know
what the question is asking for. For questions on facts, answer based on
your knowledge and understanding on the relevant topic in Sejarah. You
can use the same or similar words or sentences as those in the textbook.
You can also answer in your own sentences that have the same meaning.
You are not advised to give facts that are not found in the textbooks. For
questions on your own opinion, you have to give your own ideas, based on
your knowledge in Sejarah or your general knowledge. Your ideas must be
logical and relevant. You can also give facts from the textbook or revision
books if they are relevant. For all questions, your answer must be specific
and not too general.
- Avoid making spelling errors in your answers. For minor spelling errors,
marks is usually not deducted, but for major spelling errors, marks may be
deducted. If your make grammatical errors in your answer, marks will not
be deducted as long as the examiner can understand what you are writing.
Avoid using any short forms in your answer, especially short forms that are
not found in the textbook. If you use short forms that are found in the
textbook, marks is usually not deducted, but if you use short forms that are
not found in the textbook, marks may be deducted.

6. Paper 3
- Paper 3 consists of 1 question with several parts. It is an open-book test.
For Paper 3, bring both the Form 4 and Form 5 textbooks and revision
books into the examination hall. You should also bring in any other
materials that are relevant to the general topic released one month before
the exam.
- When answering, read the questions carefully. Make sure that you know
what the question is asking for. Usually, questions on facts carry the first 50
marks, while questions on your own opinion (KBKK) carry the other 50
marks. For questions on facts, look for the answers from the textbook. You
can copy the sentences directly from the textbook. You can also answer in
your own sentences that have the same meaning. You are not advised to
give facts that are not found in the textbooks. For questions on your own
opinion, you have to give your own ideas, based on your knowledge in
Sejarah or your general knowledge. Your ideas must be logical and
relevant. You can also give facts from the textbook, revision books or other
materials if they are relevant. For all questions, your answer must be
specific and not too general.
- Avoid making spelling errors in your answers. For minor spelling errors,
marks is usually not deducted, but for major spelling errors, marks may be
deducted. If your make grammatical errors in your answer, marks will not
be deducted as long as the examiner can understand what you are writing.
Avoid using any short forms in your answer, especially short forms that are
not found in the textbook. If you use short forms that are found in the
textbook, marks is usually not deducted, but if you use short forms that are
not found in the textbook, marks may be deducted.
- You must answer in continuous writing form. You are not allowed to
answer in point form, table form, mind map, flow chart or any other forms. If
you do so, marks will be deducted. You should also answer in complete
sentences so that your answer can be easily understood. Organise your
answer into different paragraphs. Answer for different parts of the question
should be written in different paragraphs.
- If the question says 'Nyatakan', 'Berikan', 'Namakan', 'Tuliskan' or
something similar, you only need to give facts without elaboration. If the
question says 'Jelaskan', 'Terangkan', 'Huraikan', 'Bincangkan' or
something similar, you should give facts and elaborations. The number of
marks allocated for the part of question usually shows the number of points
needed in your answer. 1 mark is given for each correct point. Do not miss
out any important points in your answer. You are allowed to write extra
points in your answer. Marks will only be given for the correct points, and
marks will not be deducted for wrong or unacceptable points.



SPM Pendidikan Moral:

Note: These tips for SPM Pendidikan Moral have been updated due to
changes in the format and style of the questions in Bahagian B from SPM
2013 onwards.

1. Studying tips
- You should have a list of all the 36 Nilai in the syllabus and their Definisi
and Kata Kunci. If you don't have one, get it from your teacher.
- You need to understand the meaning and usage for every Nilai. Read the
Definisi of every Nilai and try to understand it. The textbook also contains
some explanations and examples that can help you understand the Nilai.
You should also pay attention when your teacher is teaching in class. If you
still do not understand the Nilai, ask your teacher.
- You have to remember every Nilai and its Definisi and Kata Kunci. You
must memorise them exactly as in the syllabus, especially for the Nilai and
Kata Kunci. All spellings, Imbuhan and order of words in the Nilai and Kata
Kunci must be exactly the same as in the syllabus. For other parts of the
Definisi that is not part of the Kata Kunci, slight differences may be allowed,
but you are strongly advised to memorise them exactly. This will help you
to answer questions on Nilai.
- You teacher should to able provide you with notes for the academic
content of every Nilai when teaching in class. If your teacher does not
provide you with any notes, you should either take down your own notes in
class or request your teacher to give you notes.
- You should read through and understand everything in your teacher's
notes. Then, you have to remember them. You should also read and
understand the textbook and remember the facts that can be found in the
textbook. This will help you to answer questions on facts and on your own
opinion (KBKK).
- You have to regularly do revision. When revising, go through all the 36
Nilai, Kata Kunci and Definisi. Make sure that you remember all of them
exactly as in the syllabus. You should also go through your teacher's notes
and the facts in the textbook. Regular and repeated revision will help you to
remember everything for a long time.
- Then, you have to do exercises. Buy exercise books from the bookshop.
You can start by doing topical questions. When you have understood all
Nilai, proceed with doing SPM model test papers and past year SPM trial
questions. They should be available from bookshops. After doing the
exercises, refer to the suggested answer or mark scheme and do self
marking.
- You should sometimes refer to the mark scheme of past year SPM trial
papers to find out the acceptable Nilai and answers for every question.
Usually, the same types of questions will have similar mark scheme, so this
can help you when answering exam questions.
- You must know the correct answering techniques for SPM Pendidikan
Moral, especially for the Nilai questions. Refer to the Answering tips below.

2. Bahagian A
- When answering, read the questions and situation carefully. Make sure
that you know what the question is asking for.
- When answering questions on Nilai, you must use the Nilai in the
syllabus. Choose the Nilai among the 36 that are most suitable and
relevant to the question, based on the definition of every Nilai. Look at the
number of Nilai you need to write as stated in the question and the marks
allocated for the question. For 1 Nilai 1 Mark, 2 Nilai 2 Marks or 3 Nilai 3
Marks questions, you only need to give Nilai without Penerangan or
Contoh. For 1 Nilai 2 Marks, 2 Nilai 4 Marks or 3 Nilai 6 Marks questions,
you need to give Nilai and Penerangan without Contoh. For 1 Nilai 3 Marks
or 2 Nilai 6 Marks questions, you need to give Nilai, Penerangan and
Contoh. 1 mark is given for each correct Nilai, Penerangan and Contoh.
However, marks can only be given for Penerangan if the Nilai mark is
scored, and similarly, marks can only be given for Contoh if the both the
Nilai and Penerangan marks are scored.
- When writing the Nilai, you can write down the Nilai straight away. You
should include the word 'Nilai' in front of the Nilai you wrote.
- When writing the Penerangan, you should include the Watak / Situasi and
one Kata Kunci of the Nilai. For 1 Nilai 2 Marks, 2 Nilai 4 Marks and 3 Nilai
6 Marks questions, you also have to relate the Penerangan to the question.
The best way to do so is by giving an example from the question (similar to
writing Contoh). You can repeat the same example when relating the
Penerangan for other Nilai to the question. For 1 Nilai 3 marks and 2 Nilai 6
Marks questions, you do not need to relate the Penerangan to the question.
You must write the Penerangan in one complete sentence. Begin the
sentence with the Watak / Situasi, followed the Kata Kunci of the Nilai and
then relate the Penerangan to the question (if necessary).
- When writing the Contoh, begin with 'Contohnya' and give an example
that is relevant to the Penerangan. You must write the Contoh in one
complete sentence. You are advised to relate the Contoh to the
Penerangan. If there are examples in the question, you can use them. You
can also use other suitable examples that are not in the question. However,
you cannot repeat the same example when writing the Contoh for other
Nilai, unless if you make some changes by relating the Contoh to the
Penerangan in a different way with different meaning.
- When writing the Nilai, Penerangan and Contoh, the spelling for all Nilai,
Kata Kunci and Watak/Situasi must be correct, otherwise marks may be
deducted. For other words, marks is usually not deducted for wrong
spelling. The imbuhan and susunan of the Nilai and Kata Kunci must also
be exactly the same as in the syllabus. (For example, you cannot write
'Mematuhi Peraturan dan Undang-undang' as 'Pematuhan Peraturan dan
Undang-undang' or 'Mematuhi Undang-undang dan Peraturan' ) Do not
give any Nilai that is not among the 36 in the syllabus. If your make
grammatical errors in your answer, marks will not be deducted as long as
the examiner can understand what you are writing.
- When answering questions on Definisi Nilai, you must give the complete
definition of the Nilai, including all the Kata Kunci. Make sure that Definisi is
exactly the same as in the syllabus, especially for the Kata Kunci. If the
Kata Kunci is not exactly the same as in the syllabus, marks may be
deducted. For other parts of the Definisi, slight differences is usually not
penalised.
- When answering questions on your own opinion (KBKK), you have to give
your own ideas. Your ideas must be logical and relevant. You can also give
facts from the textbook, revision books or your teacher's notes if they are
relevant, and sometimes you have to make some changes to suit the
question. Your answer must be specific and not too general. For 1 Answer
1 Mark, 2 Answer 2 Marks, 3 Answer 3 Marks and 4 Answer 4 Marks
questions, you only need to give facts without elaboration. For 1 Answer 2
Marks, 2 Answer 4 Marks and 3 Answer 6 Marks questions, you have to
give facts and elaboration for every facts.
- When answering questions on facts (Akta / Tokoh / Pertubuhan), give
your answer based on your general knowledge as well as relevant facts in
the textbook, revision books or your teacher's notes. You should give the
full name of the Akta, Pertubuhan or Tokoh. For Akta, you are advised to
include the year of the Akta. For Pertubuhan, avoid writing only short forms
in your answer, especially short forms that are not officially used by that
Pertubuhan. If you write short forms that are officially used, marks is
usually not deducted, but if you write short forms that are not officially used,
marks may be deducted. All spellings should be correct, otherwise marks
may be deducted.
- For all questions in Bahagian A, you are allowed to write only one extra
answer for every part of the questions. Marks will only be given for the
correct answers, and marks will not be deducted for wrong or unacceptable
answers. If you write more than one extra answers, those extra answers
will not be marked.

3. Bahagian B
When answering, read the question and situation carefully. The question
may ask you to give Nilai or others. Make sure than you know what the
question is asking for.
a) When answering questions on anything other than Nilai,
- You have to give your own ideas. Your ideas must be logical and relevant.
You can also give facts from the textbook, revision books or your teacher's
notes if they are relevant, and sometimes you have to make some changes
to suit the question. Your answer must be specific and not too general.
- For questions requiring 5 answers, you should give 5 Fakta and a Huraian
for each of the Fakta. For questions requiring 3 answers, you should give 3
Fakta, as well as a Huraian and a Contoh/Huraian Lanjut for each of the
Fakta.
- You must write each of the Fakta and Huraian/Contoh in complete
sentence. The Fakta and Huraian/Contoh should be written in separate
sentences. 1 mark is given for each correct Fakta and Huraian/Contoh.
However, marks can only be given for Huraian if the mark for Fakta is
scored.
- Some questions may first ask you whether you agree or disagree with
something, whether something is correct or not, or something similar. In
that case, you should first answer that (For example, by stating that you
agree or disagree) before proceeding with the rest of the question. 1 mark
may be given for that.
- Marks is usually not deducted for incorrect spelling or grammatical errors,
as long as the examiner can understand what you are writing. You must
answer in continuous writing form. You are not allowed to answer in point
form, table form, mind map, flow chart or any other forms. If you do so,
marks will be deducted.
- You should not include any Nilai in your answer unless if the question
says otherwise. You are allowed to write 1 extra Fakta for every question.
Marks will only be given for the correct Fakta, and marks will not be
deducted for wrong Fakta. If you write more than 1 extra Fakta, those extra
Fakta will not be marked.
- For every Fakta, you are allowed to write extra Huraian/Contoh in your
answer. Marks will only be given for the correct Huraian/Contoh, and marks
will not be deducted for wrong or unacceptable Huraian/Contoh. There is
no limit on how many Huraian/Contoh you are allowed to write.
b) When answering questions on Nilai,
- Usually, you have to give 2 Nilai based on the question. In rare cases, the
question may ask you to give 3 Nilai. You must use the Nilai in the syllabus.
Choose the Nilai among the 36 that are most suitable and relevant to the
question, based on the definition of every Nilai.
- For each of the Nilai, you need to give 2 Penerangan and 2 Contoh. 1
mark is given for each correct Nilai, Penerangan and Contoh. However,
marks can only be given for Penerangan if the Nilai mark is scored, and
similarly, marks can only be given for Contoh if the both the Nilai and
Penerangan marks are scored.
- When writing each Nilai, you should include the Watak / Situasi. You must
write the Nilai in one complete sentence. Begin the sentence with the
Watak / Situasi, followed by the Nilai. Do not forget to include the word
'Nilai' in front of the Nilai you wrote.
- When writing each Penerangan, you should include the Watak / Situasi
and one Kata Kunci of the Nilai. You do not need to relate the Penerangan
to the question. You must write the Penerangan in one complete sentence.
Begin the sentence with the Watak / Situasi, followed the Kata Kunci of the
Nilai.
- When writing each Contoh, begin with 'Contohnya' and give an example
that is relevant to the Penerangan. You must write the Contoh in one
complete sentence. You are advised to relate the Contoh to the
Penerangan. If there are examples in the question, you can use them. You
can also use other suitable examples that are not in the question. However,
you cannot repeat the same example when writing the Contoh for other
Nilai, unless if you make some changes by relating the Contoh to the
Penerangan in a different way with different meaning.
- When writing the Nilai, Penerangan and Contoh, the spelling for all Nilai,
Kata Kunci and Watak/Situasi must be correct, otherwise marks may be
deducted. For other words, marks is usually not deducted for wrong
spelling. The imbuhan and susunan of the Nilai and Kata Kunci must also
be exactly the same as in the syllabus. (For example, you cannot write
'Mematuhi Peraturan dan Undang-undang' as 'Pematuhan Peraturan dan
Undang-undang' or 'Mematuhi Undang-undang dan Peraturan' )
- Do not give any Nilai that is not among the 36 in the syllabus. If your
make grammatical errors in your answer, marks will not be deducted as
long as the examiner can understand what you are writing. You must
answer in continuous writing form. You are not allowed to answer in point
form, table form, mind map, flow chart or any other forms. If you do so,
marks will be deducted.
- You are allowed to write up to 3 Nilai for every question. Marks will only
be given for the correct Nilai, and marks will not be deducted for wrong
Nilai. If you write more than 3 Nilai, those extra Nilai will not be marked.
However, if the question asks you to give 3 Nilai, then you can write up to 4
Nilai.
- For every Nilai and Penerangan, you are allowed to write extra Contoh in
your answer. Marks will only be given for the correct Contoh, and marks will
not be deducted for wrong or unacceptable Contoh. There is no limit on
how many Contoh you are allowed to write.