In Edward’s case, the MOE has clarified that the 1127 candidates ranked ahead of him all achieved 100 full merit marks( with a 4.00 CGPA with maximum cocuriculum scores. There are only 1266 straight As STPM students in total and even if 10% of them applied for accountancy (which is very unlikely) that would still leave around 900–1000 matriculation students from the arts stream holding full merit marks.

It is also highly unlikely and almost impossible that science stream students with a perfect 4.00 CGPA would apply for accountancy. Edward himself is ranked 2nd among those with a 99.90 merit score, so his subject combination should not have been an issue for the ranking contrary to what TS claimed.

Thanks for sharing the news. 16% of 40000 is about 6400 matriculation students with a 4.00 CGPA. That figure helps explain why Edward could only rank 1129 as it’s generally easier to achieve high scores in the matriculation programme as exams are marked by lecturers. Maxpudding’s claim that I “inflated” the numbers are totally inaccurate and biased.

It may also help explain why only 1–2% of STPM students gain admission into critical courses !