STPM – General Tips and Strategies – for Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and General Paper

With the STPM 2009 becoming past tense, let us all get prepared for STPM 2010 and beyond. There’s nothing better than to start afresh and study all the tips and strategies for Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and General Paper. (This base paper is contributed by a Student Contributor who would like to remain anonymous. Minor modifications were made by the Students Easy team with the blessing of our contributor. Thanks)

General STPM Strategies and Tips

STPM Mathematics

- Read all the questions before attempting write papers.

- Do a quick mental account of all the marks given for each question.

- Do the questions with utmost marks first.

- Before doing any question, deliver the question and make sure you obtain all the info from the question before you actually solve. [Paper Easy comment: It is recommended that you write out all the available info required to solve the question at the side of your question on the point paper for easy referencing]

If you are not confident of your reply, scribble wih pencil on the item paper first , copy them onto the answering paper after you are convinced that your scribbled reply is right. [Paper Easy comment: This is counseled only for those who are very confident in their time control]

Always make sure you are able to account the questions with more marks.

Don’t spend much time doing point with low marks.

Time spent on point should be proportional to the marks allocated

STPM Chemistry

Paper 1

Always do the most complicated and difficult point first. [Paper Easy comment: This is optional as some pupils has been used to solving the easier point to gain "confidence". Stick to your strategy]

If you don’t solve complicated and long point first (usually calculation) , chances are that you will feel panic as period passes. [Paper Easy comment: Get a feel of how many time you require to solve a calculation point and try not to exceed the amount of time. You can gain this expertise by doing past year point or exam simulations]

Paper 2

- Read all the point before solving.

- Solve paper point first (choose 4 easiest out of 6)

- This is because if you spend too much time in pattern you are going to panic easily when solving paper questions which require you to present your answer on the essay. When you are panic, you will not be capable to write properly.

[Paper Easy comment: Alternatively, you can set sideways time for solving the structure point before attempting the essay questions. Whatever it is, just make sure that you do not spend too much time on any section.]

STPM Biology

- Solve paper questions first.

- Read all the paper questions and choose the easiest four questions.

- Prepare answering by scrawl keywords(those that you are going to write, similar to guided paper) on the point essat. (Paper Easy comment: Very highly advised tip to use. A survey done by teacher among high paper scorers found that this technique is used by all of them)

- After solving all four paper questions, solve the structure. (you should feel better and secure as you have along done the part with 60 marks) (Refer to comment for Chemistry Paper 2)