SPM is finally here and it is that time of the year when the Form 5 students brace themselves to the task of sitting for the exam that should set them up for life. Unfortunately for them, the Add Math paper this year seemed to have stumped many of the candidates. They claimed that the paper was too hard that it took them 1 hour to complete only 2 questions. It is also reported that the unbelievably tough questions have left many candidates in tears right after they sat for the paper.
Following this, a student who sat for the exam, Joseph Tan, started a petition at change.org calling for the Ministry of Education to pay attention to the issue while appealing that the passing mark is lowered to 5. According to him, the paper was too difficult. Most candidates could only complete 2 questions in one hour.
There is also another petition requesting the A+ mark to be set at 50.
The petition has gained 10,500 signatures in less then 24 hours. On the night of Nov 21, 19,075 students nationwide have signed it to show their support.
The Examinations Syndicate Director of Examinations, Adzman Talib, explained that all exam questions were based on the syllabus taught to the students in his response to the concerns. He also assured the candidates that the ministry would make sure that all candidates be treated fairly.