A Critical Study of SPM Tamil Literature Exam Paper

Abstract

This study investigates the quality of SPM Tamil literature question paper. For this purpose last four years examination paper of SPM Tamil literature from Selangor were selected for critical analysis. The demographic information and National Philosophy of Education were given focus. The results of SPM Tamil literature were compared with the students’ achievement. The quality of SPM Tamil literature question paper was critically analysed. Mixed method approach was used. The findings showed that the SPM Tamil literature question papers had fulfilled the National Philosophy of Education. The results obtained by the students showed that 95 % of them had passed in the examination. On the basis of these findings, it is concluded that the SPM Tamil literature question paper fulfils the National Philosophy of Education and also The SPM Tamil literature question papers does provide sufficient time for students to answer the questions and the instructions that given in question paper are easy which is proved that the questions are prepared according to the students’ level. As compared to old format, new format is easier and the quality also has improved where the questions measure the higher order thinking skill of students. The quality of the exam papers should be improved in order to promote student’s higher order thinking skills. The findings revealed SPM Tamil literature question papers fulfils the National Philosophy of Education but there are still some drawbacks in which the National Philosophy of Education items were not included in question paper namely spiritual and health. So, in order to fulfill the nation’s philosophy of education, we must include and give importance to all criteria in preparing and writing the textbooks and question papers. In future, the quality of question papers have to be improved by including higher order thinking questions to expand students’ critical and creative thinking skills.