PMR to be replaced with PBSMR effective from Year 2014

Starting next year, a new public examination will replace the Peperiksaan Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) or Secondary Assessment Examination.

Called Pentaksiran Berasaskan Sekolah Menengah Rendah (PBSMR) or Lower Secondary School Based Assessment, the new exam will assess a student’s proficiency in four core subjects – Bahasa Melayu, English, Science and Mathematics.

Students can take the papers in either BM or English (except for Bahasa Melayu paper). Meanwhile, subjects such as History, Geography, Islamic Education and Life Skills will be assessed under the PBS system as course work, practicals and projects.

The examination questions will be prepared by the Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia (LPM) or Malaysian Examinations Board.

The marking scheme has not yet been finalized but the new exam format is expected to be ready next month and by 31 December a review of the questions, method and procedure will be done by the State Education Department.