LETTER: I write to express the confusion teachers and students are facing over the new 2021 format for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination papers.
In the Bible Knowledge paper for example, the time allocated is now only two hours when previously students were given two and a half hours to complete the paper.
Judging from the questions asked in the sample examination paper provided by the Ministry of Education, the questions are far more difficult than the ones under the old format, yet the time to complete has been reduced.
The allocation of marks for each section of a question is also not provided. This information is vital for students to determine how much time should be spent on each section.
In the recently concluded SPM examination, it is surprising that the Bible Knowledge Paper was held on the same day as Mathematics Paper 1 and 2.
The Mathematics papers were held in the morning and Bible knowledge in the afternoon. Surely the students would be mentally exhausted to take on a completely different paper in the afternoon.
Students were also not allowed to take back question papers in the recently concluded SPM examination.
Past years' exam papers are vital for teachers to properly prepare the students for the examination.
It is my hope that the authorities concerned can clarify these issues.
DR PETER JOSEPH PEREIRA
Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times