Tips for SPM Bahasa Melayu and English 1119

For my SPM in year 2012, I got A+ for Bahasa Melayu and A for English. Do you want to know how to
score in SPM for these 2 subjects? Here, I am posting the complete tips for SPM Bahasa Melayu and
English 1119. These tips are intended for Form 4 and Form 5 students this year who are taking SPM 2016
or SPM 2017.

Tips for other SPM subjects can be found here:

http://daniellimjj.blogspot.com/2013/06/complete-tips-for-spm-examination-first.html

Notice:
Both Bahasa Melayu and English are rather difficult to score in SPM. In SPM 2012, many excellent
students in my school and college failed to get A+ for either one or both of the subjects. I also got only A
for English. These 2 subjects have very strict marking scheme, and the minimum marks required to get
A+ is usually high (around 85 to 90). If you are aiming to get A+ for these 2 subjects, make sure you are
fully prepared. Also, because I did not get A+ for English, if you aim for A+ in English, it may be better for
you to seek advice from others who got A+ rather then following my tips below.

SPM Bahasa Melayu:

1. Studying tips
- To prepare for this subject, you have to continuously improve your language skills in every day life. Try
to speak and write more in Malay language, and read more Malay books, magazines and newspaper.
- You are adviced to attend tuition if possible. If you live in Kulim, I recommend you to go to Pusat Tuisyen
Inisiatif Utama for the tuition.
- Before the exam, you mainly need to prepare for Karangan and KOMSAS.
- You should memorise some good Pendahuluan, Penutup and Ayat judul so that you can use them when
writing your essay. It is advisable to choose those that can be used in various types of essays and contain
ungkapan menarik. Your school or tuition teacher should be able to give you this.
- You need revision book for KOMSAS. I recommend the KOMSAS revision book by Eastview
Publications. You can also use your tuition teacher's notes if you attend tuition. You need to read,
understand and remember the Tema, Persoalan, Latar, Plot, Teknik Plot, Watak & Perwatakan, Nilai &
Pengajaran as well as their examples for the Novel and all Prosa Tradisional, Puisi, Cerpen and Drama
for both Form 4 and Form 5.
- Try to get the list of peribahasa in the syllabus from your school or tuition teacher. You should
understand and remember all the peribahasa and their meaning and usage. This will help you to answer
the Peribahasa questions in the Tatabahasa section. Usually 2 of the 3 questions are based on the
peribahasa in the syllabus.
- To prepare for Rumusan and Tatabahasa, you have to regularly do exercises. You should also do
exercises for all other sections occasionally. However, avoid spending too much time writing Karangan.

2. Karangan Bahan Rangsangan

- Materials will be given. Read the question and material given carefully. The question will ask you to write
an essay on a particular topic. In most cases, the material given is relevant to the topic, but sometimes it
may not be related to the topic. If the material given is relevant to the topic, you must use points from the
materials given. If the material given is not relevant to the topic, then you should ignore the materials
given and give your own ideas.
- You should write 1 Pendahuluan, 3 Isi and 1 Penutup. Usually, the material given will contain 3 or more
points, but sometimes it may contain only 1 or 2 points. If there are only 1 or 2 points in the material given
or if the material given is not relevant to the topic, you need to add in your own ideas to make 3 Isi. If
there are more than 3 points in the materials given, choose either 3 of them to write, or you can also
combine 2 points in 1 Isi if they are related to each other.
- Make sure your essay is more than 200 words. Marks will be deducted if your essay is less than 200
words. However, you can write more than 250 words (although the question states that your essay must
be between 200 and 250 words), and there is no limit on how long you are allowed to write. Your marks
will not be deducted and the examiner will continue to mark your whole essay. You are advised to write
your essay between 300 and 600 words.

3. Karangan Respons Terbuka

- There will be 5 questions. Usually the first 4 questions are factual/argumentative essay, while the 5th
question is related to literature. Some of them may be formatted writing. Read all the questions carefully
and choose the question that you are most confident in. If possible, avoid choosing the question on
writing a story unless you are very good at writing stories.
- In your essay, there should be 1 Pendahuluan, at least 4 Isi and 1 Penutup. You are advised to write 5
Isi if possible. If it is formatted writing, make sure that the format is correct. Make sure that your essay is
more than 350 words. Marks will be deducted if your essay is less than 350 words. It is advisable to write
your essay between 600 and 1000 words.

4. Both Karangan Bahan Rangsangan & Karangan Respons Terbuka

- When writing your essay, use the Pendahuluan, Penutup and Ayat judul that you have memorised
earlier if possible. Make some changes to them so that they suit the essay you are writing. Elaborate
clearly on each Isi. Write some relevant examples as well.
- Include a few Ungkapan menarik (such as Peribahasa) in your essay. If your entire essay has
no Ungkapan menarik at all, your essay can be dropped by one grade of the actual grade. Use a wide
variety of words in your essay, including some more difficult words. The sentence structure should be
varied. Your essay should also be interesting. Avoid making grammatical errors in your essay. Refer to
the question often when writing your essay to avoid writing out of topic.

5. Rumusan
- The question will ask you to summarise on 2 topics, the 1st one is Isi tersurat and the 2nd is Isi tersirat.
Read the question and passage given carefully. Underline the relevant Isi tersurat in the passage. You
should answer in 4 paragraphs, each containing Pendahuluan, Isi Tersurat, Isi Tersirat and Penutup.
- When writing the Pendahuluan, begin with 'Petikan membincangkan...'. You must replace the keyword of
the question with another word of same meaning. (For example, you must replace 'langkah' with 'cara' or
other words of same meaning.) You must also add either 'di Malaysia' or 'di dunia' at the end of the
sentence, depending on whether the passage given involves Malaysia only or international. Write in one
sentence only.
- When writing Isi Tersurat, you must use relevant points from the passage given. Do not take any of the
elaborations or examples. You need not use your own words and you can copy directly, but sometimes
you may have to make some changes to suit your answer. When writing Isi Tersirat, you cannot directly
use points from the passage. You should give your own ideas. Your ideas must be logical and relevant.
You should write at least 6 Isi Tersurat and 2 Isi Tersirat. You are advised to write more isi if possible.
Marks will only be given for correct isi, and marks will not be deducted for incorrect isi (But, you must not
exceed 120 words).
- When writing the Penutup, your answer should contain 1 Cadangan/Harapan and 1 relevant Huraian.
Write in 1 sentence only. Do not repeat any isi or add in new isi in the Penutup.
- Count the total number of words and make sure that your answer is not longer than 120 words,
otherwise the remaining part of your answer will not be marked, and marks may be deducted. State the
exact number of words below your essay. Nama khas, penanda wacana, peribahasa and kata ganda are
counted as one word only. If your answer is longer than 120 words, try cancelling off the unnecessary
words in your answer and replacing longer phrase with shorter phrase of the same meaning. If it still
exceeds 120 words, cancel off some of the extra Isi Tersurat or Isi Tersirat you wrote.
- For all parts of Rumusan, you must answer in continuous writing form and not point form, otherwise
marks can be deducted. You should also write the answer in complete sentences. Make sure that the
grammar is correct. Of the 30 marks for Rumusan, 20 marks is for Isi and 10 marks is for Bahasa. The
marks given for Bahasa is usually half of the marks given for Isi if there are no grammatical errors.

6. Pemahaman
- There are 4 parts, which are Pemahaman Petikan Umum, Prosa Moden, Prosa Tradisional and Puisi.
Read the passage/extract and the questions given carefully. There are 4 types of questions, which are
questions on meaning of phrases, questions based on the passage given, questions on your own opinion
(KBKK) and questions on KOMSAS.
- When answering question on meaning of phrases, replace every word in the phrase with another word
that has the same meaning if possible. If that is not possible, you should explain the phrase in your own
sentence.
- When answering questions based on the passage given, you must look for the answers from the
passage/extract. You need not use your own words and you can copy directly, but sometimes you may
have to make some changes to suit your answer (such as converting dialogs into text), especially for Puisi
and Prosa Tradisional which you must convert into modern text when writing your answer.
- When answering questions on your own opinion (KBKK), you should give your own ideas and do not
look for the answers from the passage/extract given. Your ideas must be logical and relevant.
- When answering questions on KOMSAS, it may ask you based on the extract given or based on the
whole story/poem. Give suitable answers that you memorised from revision books. You should elaborate
on every point you write by giving a suitable example.
- For all Pemahaman questions, you must answer in complete sentences and not point form, otherwise
marks can be deducted. Make sure that the grammar is correct. If the question does not state the number
of answers you need to write, then the number of answers needed depends on the marks allocated.
Basically, one answer gives one mark, and for 3 or 4 marks question, one mark is usually for Bahasa. In
all cases, you can give as many extra answers as you want (except for questions on meaning of phrases,
where you can give only one answer). Marks will only be given for the correct answers, and marks will not
be deducted for wrong or unacceptable answers. It is advisable to write 2 or 3 extra answers for every
part of question.

7. Tatabahasa
- There are 5 parts. When answering, read the questions carefully. For the 1st part, you must make
sentence from the words given. Your sentence must be able to show that you really understand the
meaning of the words given. The sentence do not have to be very long. You cannot change the Imbuhan,
add any Imbuhan or use the words given as a Kata Ganda, Peribahasa or Nama Khas (unless otherwise
stated in the question). For the 2nd part, it will test you on Sintaksis. Give the most suitable answer
according to the question based on your understanding of Tatabahasa.
- For the 3rd and 4th part, it will test you on Kesalahan Ejaan, Imbuhan, Penggunaan Kata/Istilah and
Tatabahasa. List down the mistakes and correction for every mistake. You are advised to categorise the
mistakes according to the type of mistake. You do not need to recopy the sentences. For the 5th question,
it will test you on Peribahasa. If the question asks you to explain the meaning of Peribahasa, your answer
should be clear and detailed. If the question asks you to make a sentence using Peribahasa, your
sentence must be able to show that you really understand the meaning of the Peribahasa. The
sentence do not have to be very long. If the question asks you to fill in the blanks using Peribahasa or
state a Peribahasa based on the situation, give the most suitable Peribahasa according to the question.
- For all questions on Tatabahasa, you cannot give extra answers. If you do so, marks will be deducted if
any of your extra answers is wrong.

8. Novel
- The questions are based on the novels you studied in Form 4 and Form 5. There will be 2 questions.
Usually the first question allows you to choose to answer based on either one of the novels, while the
second question requires you to answer based on both novels, and sometimes you may be asked to
make a comparison of both novels. If the question lets you choose either one of the novels, choose the
novel that you are most confident of.
- If the question is about facts (Tema / Persoalan / Latar / Plot / Teknik Plot / Watak & Perwatakan / Nilai /
Pengajaran), give suitable answers that you memorised from revision books. You should elaborate on
every point you write by giving suitable example from the novel.
- If the question is about your own opinion, you have give your own ideas based on your understanding of
the novel. Your ideas must be logical and relevant. You should elaborate on every idea you write and
relate your ideas to the question and novel.
- For all Novel questions, you must answer in continuous writing form and not point form, otherwise marks
can be deducted. You should also write the answer in complete sentences. Make sure that the grammar
is correct. The 1st question carries 7 marks, where 4 marks is for Isi and 3 marks is for Bahasa. The 2nd
question carries 8 marks, where 6 marks is for Isi and 2 marks is for Bahasa.
- Basically, one point or elaboration gives 1 mark for Isi. In all cases, you can give as many extra answers
as you want. Marks will only be given for correct answers, marks will not be deducted for wrong answers.
It is advisable to write 2 or 3 extra points and elaborations. You can answer based on novel for other
states, but you should do so only if you understand that novel very well.

SPM English 1119:

1. Studying tips
- To prepare for this subject, you have to continuously improve your language skills in every day life. Try
to speak and write more in English language, and read more English books, magazines and newspaper.
- You are adviced to attend tuition if possible. I cannot recommend any tuition centre for English because I
never attended English tuition. Try asking around to find out which tuition centre is the best.
- Before the exam, you mainly need to prepare for Writing, Poem and Novel.
- You should know and remember the format for all kinds of formatted writing. Refer to revision books or
ask your teacher if you do not know the format.
- You need revision notes for literature (Poem and Novel). As far as I know, no literature revision books in
the market is good. You are advised use your tuition teacher's notes. You need to understand and
remember the Theme, Settings, Plot, Characters, Moral values & Lessons as well as their examples for
the Form 5 novel and all poems learnt in both Form 4 and Form 5.
- To prepare for all sections in Paper 2, you have to regularly do exercises. You should also do exercises
for Paper 1 occasionally but do not spend too much time on that.

2. Directed Writing
- Materials will be given. Read the question and materials given carefully. The question will ask you to
write an essay on a particular topic. You must use all the points in the material given when writing your
essay.
- There is no minimum word limit for Directed Writing. However, you are advised to write your essay
longer than 120 words. If the question asks you to add in your own ideas or provide a suitable
introduction/closing, you must do so. If the essay is formatted writing, make sure that the format is correct.
Of the 35 marks for Directed Writing, 15 marks is for Content & Format and 20 marks is for Language.

3. Continuous Writing
- There will be 5 questions. Usually the 2 questions are factual/argumentative essay, 2 questions are
narrative/descriptive essay (such as story) and the other 1 question is one-word topic essay. Read all the
questions carefully and choose the question that you are most confident in.
- For the one-word topic essay, you are free to write it as either factual/argumentative essay or
narrative/descriptive essay (such as story). But, you must make sure that the entire essay/story you write
is closely related to the meaning of the word given.
- If you are writing factual/argumentative essay, there should be 1 Introduction, at least 4 Body and 1
Closing. Include only one main point in each Body. Make sure your essay is more than 350 words. Marks
will be deducted if your essay is less than 350 words. Avoid writing exactly the whole essays that you
memorised, because if you do so and as a result you score much better in Continuous Writing compared
to Directed Writing, your grade for Continuous Writing may be dropped.

4. Both Directed Writing & Continuous Writing

- When writing your essay, elaborate clearly on each point you write. Write some relevant examples as
well. You only need to elaborate in 1 or 2 sentences for Directed Writing, but you need to elaborate longer
for Continuous Writing.
- Include a few idioms and phrasal verbs in your essay. Use a wide variety of words in your essay,
including some more difficult words. The sentence structure should be varied. Your essay should also be
interesting, especially for descriptive/narrative essay. Avoid making grammatical errors in your essay.
Refer to the question often when writing your essay to avoid writing out of topic.
5. Paper 2 Section A
- For Stimuli & Graphic Material, read the materials given and questions carefully. Cancel off the options
that you consider as definitely wrong. Choose the most suitable answer among the 4 options, based on
the materials given.
- For Rational Cloze, it tests you on grammar. Read the passage given carefully. Cancel off the options
that you consider as definitely wrong. Choose the most suitable word to fill in the blanks in the passage
among the 4 options, based on your understanding in grammar.
- For both parts, you should think carefully because sometimes the answers are close to each other.

6. Information Transfer
- Read the materials and questions carefully. When answering, copy directly from the materials given and
avoid using your own words. However, sometimes you may have to make some changes to suit your
answer. Make sure the spelling in your answer is exactly the same as the spelling in the materials given.
Your answers must be short and precise. Do not add in any unnecessary details in your answer or write
extra answers, otherwise marks may be deducted due to overlifting. Also, you should not answer in full
sentences.

7. Reading Comprehension
- Read the questions and passage given carefully. Answer all questions based on the passage given.
When answering, look for answers from the particular paragraph of the passage as stated in the question.
If the question does not state that you must use your own words, you can copy directly from the passage
and you need not use your own words. However, sometimes you may have to make some changes to suit
your answer.
- If the question states that you must use your own words, then you must answer in your own words. If the
question asks for your own opinion, you should give your own ideas and do not look for answers from the
passage given. Your ideas should be logical and relevant.
- For all questions on Comprehension, you do not need to answer in complete sentences. Make sure that
the spelling in your answer is correct. Your answers must be short and precise. Do not add in any
unnecessary details in your answer or write extra answers, otherwise marks can be deducted due to
overlifting.

8. Summary
- The question will usually ask you to summarise on 2 topics. Read the question and passage given
carefully. Underline the relevant points in the passage that are related to any of the 2 topics.
- When answering, use relevant points from the passage given. Do not take the elaborations or examples.
You must begin your answer using the 10 words given in the question. You do not need to write any
Introduction or Closing. You are advised to answer in your own words by replacing words taken from the
passage with other words of same meaning or by rephrasing the sentences taken from the passage. You
should write a total of at least 10 points. You are advised to write more points if possible. Marks will only
be given for correct points and marks will not be deducted for wrong points (But, you must not exceed 130
words).
- Count the total number of words and make sure that your answer is not longer than 130
words, otherwise the remaining part of your answer will not be marked, and marks may be
deducted. State the exact number of words below your essay. Proper nouns, idioms and words with
hyphen are counted as one word only. If your answer is longer than 130 words, try cancelling off the
unnecessary words in your answer and replacing longer phrase with shorter phrase of the same meaning.
If it still exceeds 130 words, cancel off some of the extra points you wrote.
- You must answer in continuous writing form and not point form, otherwise marks can be deducted. You
should also write the answer in complete sentences. Make sure that the grammar is correct. Of the 15
marks for Summary, 10 marks is for Content and 5 marks is for Language & Paraphrase.

9. Poem
- Read the poem and questions carefully. Answer all questions based on the poem. If the question does
not state that you must use your own words, you can copy directly from the poem and you need not use
your own words. However, you may have to make some changes to suit your answer. If the question
states that you must use your own words, then you must answer in your own words. If the question asks
for your own opinion, you should give your own ideas and do not look for answers from the poem. Your
answer should be logical and relevant.
- You do not need to answer in complete sentences. Make sure that the spelling in your answer is
correct. Your answers must be short and precise. Do not add in any unnecessary details in your answer
or write extra answers, otherwise marks can be deducted due to overlifting.

10. Novel
- The question will be based on the novel you studied in Form 5. You can also answer based on the novel
for other states, but you should do so only if you understand that novel very well. Read the question
carefully.
- If the question is about facts (Theme / Settings / Plot / Characters / Moral values / Lessons), give
suitable answers that you memorised from revision books. If the question is about your own opinion, you
have to give your own ideas based on your understanding of the novel. Your ideas must be logical and
relevant. You should also relate your ideas to the novel.
- For all Novel questions, you have to elaborate clearly on every point you write. Give suitable examples
from the novel. You also need to write your personal response (your own opinion about what you have
discussed in your answer). You must answer in complete sentences and not point form, otherwise marks
can be deducted. Make sure that the grammar is correct.
- The question carries 15 marks, where 10 marks is for Content and 5 marks is for Language. Both the
Content and Language marks are given by impression, so the Content marks does not actually depend
on the number of points in your answer. However, you should write at least 3 elaborations and 1 personal
response in your answer. You can give more facts, elaborations and personal responses if you want to,
but you must be careful not to write any wrong points. For wrong points in your answer, marks will not be
directly deducted, but it can affect the Content marks in overall.