Every country has its own academic grading system for different levels of education. Malaysia, too, has a specific grading system, which exists in all its schools, universities and colleges.
The university-level grades in the country will differ significantly as it will depend on the type of the educational institute. But the majority of the schools in Malaysia follow a grading system that is similar to the US grading system.
In this post, you will gain information about the Malaysian gGetting accepted into a particular program is one thing, but receiving a scholarship is differentrading system and its importance. Let’s dig in!
What is a Grading System?
In education, the grading system is utilized to assess a child’s academic performance, which is entirely based on points. This system is widely regarded in numerous schools across the globe, including Malaysia.
The grading system is used as a viable and strong medium to adjust the reciprocating and grasping ability of a child by grading them. There are currently seven types of grading systems, which institutes across the globe use:
1. Percentage Grading: From 0% to 100%.
2. Letter Variations and Grading: Grading starts from Grade A to Grade F.
3. Norm-Referenced Grading: All the students get evaluated by comparing them to each other. For instance: The top 10% of the students will get an A, and the next 20% will get a B.
4. Mastery Grading: Grading all the students as “Passers” or “Masters” when their accomplishment reaches a pre-specified stage.
5. Fail or Pass: Students are graded through the Fail/Pass method.
6. Narrative Grading: Write down comments about the students.
7. Standard Grading: Under this grading system, the performance of a student is compared to the pre-established level of performance.
The grading system will not represent a student’s intelligence, nor is it the only form of accomplishment. But it’s imperfect to determine how exactly the students understand a particular concept.
Like how the international school of Kuala Lumpur fees structure is essential to understand, grading is a critical way to determine what students can accomplish in the future. Due to such reasons, many students work hard to boost their grades.
Why Grading System is Important in Malaysia?
There are many reasons why the grading system in Malaysia is essential, and some of these reasons are:
1. Openness to Scholarships
Getting accepted into a particular program is one thing, but receiving a scholarship is different. Universities and colleges consider the School Grading System whenever they wish to fund the students.
Student debt can surely affect a person’s future when they are pretty much into their 30s. Attaining excellent grades, extracurricular activities, and higher scores can eradicate this burden.
Grades are also considered important because they are used for gaining admission into an honor society within a college or university. Staying involved in honor societies or clubs opens doors to numerous funding opportunities.
Besides that, students will also be poised to enjoy many other outstanding opportunities, such as becoming a leader of a faculty or taking part in exchange programs.
2. Employers Concentrate on Grades
The majority of the big corporations that offer fantastic career opportunities will surely check the GPA scores of a person’s resume. This will prove that the individual has the competence or technical know-how to provide within the workplace.
When a student with top grades approaches an employer, it clearly shows that the individual can handle all daily tasks. It also proves that the student will complete all the work without delay and errors.
3. Boosting Self-Confidence
Studies show that about 80% of the children have said that most of their self-worth comes from their academic performance. This number is much higher when compared with those learners who considered family support to be their source of self-esteem.
Another study showed that individuals with low self-esteem are said to have poor health, will earn less money, and will participate in crime compared with confident people.
That’s why when a child performs exceptionally well at an academic level and obtains good grades, it will increase their confidence level. It will also encourage the students to work harder to attain better grades.
School Level Grading System in Malaysia
The US grading system is the most common type of grading system used in Malaysia. This grading system is not just used in schools but is also used by other educational institutions in the country, such as:
1. Malaysian Advanced Certificate of Education
2. University of Technology MARA
3. University of Malaya
4. National University of Malaysia
5. University Putra Malaysia
Grading System Used in GIIS Malaysia
The GIIS or Global Indian International Student Malaysia uses the Indian CBSE and Cambridge IGCSE grading system. The CBSE grading system is a 5-point grading system that assigns grades from A to E.
Cambridge grading system, on the other hand, provides grades from Grade A to Grade G. Besides the grading system, GIIS Malaysia also follows the Cambridge and Indian CBSE curriculum.
Primary School Grading System
Malaysia’s Primary School Grading System follows a grading system associated with the Primary School Achievement Test USPR. This is how students are graded:
● Marks obtained between 80 and 100 provide a “PASS” status and Grade A.
● Marks obtained between 60 and 79 provide a “PASS” status and Grade B.
● Marks obtained between 40 and 59 provide a “PASS” status and Grade C.
● Marks obtained between 20 and 39 provide a “FAIL” status and Grade D.
● Marks obtains between 1 and 19 provide a “FAIL” status and Grade E.
● Students who scored even lower marks or absentee students will be declared “FAIL.”
Secondary School Grading System
There are two levels of secondary schools: lower secondary and upper secondary. The Secondary School Grading System for the lower secondary follows the national examination grading system. Students who:
● Scores between 80 and 100 get Grade A and are declared “PASS”.
● Scores between 60 and 79 get Grade B and are declared “PASS”.
● Scores between 40 and 59 get Grade C and are declared “PASS”.
● Scores between 20 and 39 get Grade D and are declared “FAIL”.
● Scores between 1 and 19 get Grade E and are declared “FAIL”.
For the upper secondary, follow the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia or SPM grading system, which is as follows:
● 90 to 100: Grade A
● 80 to 89: Grade A
● 70 to 79: Grade A
● 65 to 69: Grade B
● 60 to 64: Grade B
● 55 to 59: Grade C
● 50 to 54: Grade C
● 45 to 49: Grade D
● 40 to 44: Grade E
● 1 to 39: Fail
Higher Education Grading System
Malaysia’s Higher Education Grading System is the same as the US grading system. Most Malaysian universities do not assign the “–” grades because A- or A is equal to Grade A in the colleges and universities in the US.
Similar to that, B- or B grades are equal to Grade B in the universities in Malaysia. The C- or C is equal to Grade C in US institutes, and the D- or D is equal to Grade D in Malaysian universities. F is viewed as “FAIL” in both US and Malaysian universities.
Conclusion
A grading system can ensure fairness and consistency within the assessment of learning, proficiency level, and assignment of scores. It’s not utilized as a form of compliance, punishment, or control but helps students to overcome failure, work harder, and excel academically.
It is also known for measuring all the reports and documents and measuring the students’ proficiency and progress. The system also provides parents, teachers, and advisors with detailed information about a student’s education.
