I want to register for STPM as a private individual candidate. Would it be enough to take 3 subjects? Pengajian Am, English Literature and Business Studies. I'm also confused as to who should I pay the fees? Do I have to pay to BSN when I'm buying the PIN number? Can I only register for one semester to see if I'm able to do well in STPM? I would appreciate it if anyone can help me out. Thank you.

Depending on your need, even one subject is enough.
If you aim for public universities, you need to take 4 subjects and MUET. Though I don't think I've seen the "4 subjects" thing being written anywhere, but since everyone is doing that, I reckon it's right.
For private universities, taking 3 subjects is enough, PA is not a must.
You pay to the BSN for the pin, that's it.
And, of course you can just sit for one semester, however, there shall be no refund whatsoever.

Thank you so much. That sure does clarify everything. Yes, I intended to go into Public University. But I will just try taking 3 subjects only. God bless you.

You are 23 years old? Never too late too start, good luck

Education can be pretty expensive nowadays. I've to be slightly financially stable in order to continue my studies. Thank you.

You be damn surprised most UK universities need only 2 subjects that you score well, the third as a backup.
If General Paper was dwibahasa in English and Malay, surely more students take STPM, rather than STPM and A-Levels tho.
IMHO, they really should abolish that bloody paper by now.

This post has been edited by iSean: Apr 1 2017, 09:31 PM

What are you planning to pursue later on? From your subject combo it seems that you are want to pursue econs or business related degree.

Btw, I'm curious how does private candidate study? Do you need to self study? Or you can choose any secondary school to accept you into their classes?

Well, not so surprised. I believe that it's only for some second-tier or even third-tier universities, it happens everywhere. If it were top universities like Imperial, Oxbridge, that would surprise me alot.

General paper is good. I mean A level-like General Paper, not Malaysian. It really trains your critical thinking. In Singapore, General Paper is a must, or else you need to take an alternative paper called Knowledge Inquiry(KI) which is damn tough. However, for Malaysian General Paper.... I really think it should be renamed as Malaysian Politics, the syllabus is not one would expect of a general paper. Though I know A level General Paper is hard, I wish I had taken it.

Well that depends on the course applied, most top unis like Edinburgh or UCL only only cares about particular science subject for science related course like engineering

Malaysian PA, is seemingly crappy, and "closed on sensitive topic". But for Singapore's GP I've seen those essays written by students really shows their matured thinking and exposure to the world as 1st world country.


This post has been edited by iSean: Apr 1 2017, 11:46 PM

Just done some random checking on UCL and Edinburgh courses, most courses, if not all, still require at least 3 subjects in a single sitting.
Some courses may require less than 3 subjects, but I haven't seen one. Disclaimer: Not a thorough search.

Yeah most need 3 but most likely they prefer science subjects if you are applying for science degree.

Erm.... I'm not sure if you mean it. But, immigration issue isn't really a sensitive topic both in Malaysia and Singapore. I think that censorship is a much sentitive topic in Singapore. I'm quite looking forward to reading about it. In terms of freedom of media, Singapore is doing badly compared to Malaysia.

Nope. I'm planning on reading Law.
You can go and register for a class at the tuition centre. Or get yourself a private tutor. Yep, it's a self study yet you still have to do the assignments. All I know is you can appeal at Jabatan Pendidikan of your state if you're below 20 and wish to enter form sixth.

I'm asking this out of curiosity, will Pengajian Am be counted if we are applying for public uni or private uni? I think by taking 3 subjects are suffice enough since most entry requirement only required 2 subjects excluding P.A?

If you going IPTA, better safe to take PA.
IPTS, depends they want to accept or not.
I read tons of forum post saying that most people who went private candidate have an option not to take "PA".
Most people in Art Stream didn't went for STPM and left for Foundation, AUSMAT, A-Level, SACE, etc. because of the BM reason, and fear is that hard to even enter IPTA and gave up trying, if they were given a choice.

I personally went for A-Levels, with everything publicize, and if you are studying in KL, study materials, and past years (two sittings in a year and 3 variants a session!) with photocopy shops are literally anywhere.
Depends on you can digest A-Level's Econs/Business Studies creative essays or not only.
Content wise should be similar but language if the major difference.

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Yes,I must say having test in Malay language is a bit harder but I have to take the chance. Plus going to a private college is quite expensive. Thank you, Sean for your tips.