The overall results of the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) announced today showed an increase in several aspects, including the number of candidates obtaining ‘As’ and overall pass percentage.

Malaysian Examination Council (MEC) President Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Noh Dalimin said the percentage of students passing the exam had increased from 96.85 percent in 2013 to 97.81 percent last year.

Noh also said that the achievement gap between rural and urban students are based on the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).

“Based on the CGPA, it is found that the gap has reduced which is 2.64 urban compared to 2.54 rural students.

“The difference is only 0.1, which if compared to the 2013 STPM examination is 0.11,” said Noh during a press conference held at the Malaysian Examination Council building in Selayang, today.

He added, the percentage of students scoring CGPA of 4.0 has increased to 0.91 percent compared to 2.57 percent in 2013.

This was in line with the CGPA obtained for the 2014 STPM results which increased to 2.62 compared to 2.57 for the 2013 STPM.

Noh also said that the increase in achievement is attributed to the 2013 term which recorded gradual improvements of the students.

“We hope this pattern will continue in years to come,” said Noh.

All the 23 subjects offered during the 2014 STPM examination showed an overall pass of more than 60 percent -- that constitutes grade C and above.

MPM has also chosen 11 best students -- out of the 390 students - who obtained a CGPA of 4.0 with the Best Student award.