By R. Vikneswaran
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- After sitting the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination more than 20 times, mathematics teacher Zulkifli Md Pungut knows first-hand the pressure students face, using that experience to refine his teaching approach and help them enter the exam hall with greater confidence and composure.
For the principal of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Simpang Renggam in Johor, who is sitting the examination again this year for the 26th time, the SPM is an opportunity to experience first-hand what candidates go through and ensure his teaching methods remain relevant to the evolving needs of education.
Zulkifli, 58, who has sat the SPM since 2011, said taking the examination allows him to assess the difficulty of the papers and changes to the examination format, while experiencing the challenges faced by students first-hand.
“Sitting in the examination hall has given me first-hand insight into the time pressure, mental fatigue and anxiety experienced by candidates.
“This experience has reshaped my teaching approach. I now go beyond teaching the topics in the syllabus by helping students develop time-management skills, strategies for answering questions under pressure and ways to manage their emotions,” he told Bernama.
Zulkifli said he spends two to three hours a day revising and answering practice questions as part of his preparation, just like a regular school candidate.
The Economics and Public Administration graduate also uses official Education Ministry (MOE) modules and trial examination papers, while seeking feedback from fellow mathematics teachers to review his answers.
According to Zulkifli, Mathematics and English have been his main focus throughout his SPM attempts, with his results consistently ranging from A to A+.
For this year’s SPM, he is once again aiming for an A+ in Mathematics, which he sees as a personal benchmark and a way to inspire his students.
Zulkifli said one of the most notable changes in the modern SPM is the increased emphasis on Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS), with questions no longer focusing solely on routine calculations or memorisation.
He said candidates are now required to analyse information and understand concepts before applying them to real-world situations, such as financial management, data analysis and interpreting everyday statistics.
“Mathematics is more than just calculations. It is mental training. Rather than being intimidated by lengthy questions, break the problem down into smaller, manageable steps.
“The key is to practise consistently, develop a solid understanding of basic concepts and never hesitate to ask teachers for help,” he said.
Zulkifli said his repeated experience as an SPM candidate has given him a deeper understanding of the pressures students face, helping him become a more empathetic educator attuned to their needs.
-- BERNAMA