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
2015 or SPM 2016.
Tips for other SPM subjects can be found here:
http://daniellimjj.blogspot.com/2013/06/complete-tips-for-spmexamination-first.html
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:
Note: These tips for SPM Sejarah are based on the latest
examination format from SPM 2013 onwards.
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 openbook 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 are based on the
latest 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 Undangundang' 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 that you
know what the question is asking for.
a) For questions on anything except 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) For 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 Undangundang' 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.
If you need help in doing the Kerja Kursus Pendidikan Moral, you
can use my coursework as a guide. Download my coursework
here: