The top performers in the 2024 SPM exams attribute their achievements to individual sacrifices, familial backing, structured study habits, and committed educators.
From the group of 56 leading scorers at SMK Sultan Ismail in Johor Baru, notable mentions include M. Kayyelvizhi, Harry Danish Ahmad Kamal Azuan, twins Lee Yun Ting and Lee Yun Qian, as well as Chan Le Rou.
Kayyelvizhi, who achieved 10A+ and 1A, took extensive measures to steer clear of distractions – opting out of having a mobile phone and staying away from social media during her study period.
“I didn’t want a mobile phone because I was aware it would divert my attention from my studies,” she stated in a recent interview conducted at the institution.
Eager to study medicine, Kayyelvizhi found motivation in her older sibling, an ex-top SPM scorer from the same institution who earned 12A+.
She attributed past-year examination papers as a crucial component of her study routine.
After she finished her final exams in 2024, her parents gifted her a new smartphone as a reward.
Harry Danish was elated to achieve grades of 8A+ and 1A in his SPM exams, all accomplished without the aid of tutoring sessions.
“I opted for independent studies because my teachers’ notes and advice were sufficiently comprehensive,” he stated.
Even though he was assured of his readiness, he maintained modest expectations. His aim is to further his studies with a degree in information technology (IT).
For Chan Le Rou, starting her preparations early was crucial for acing the exams.
Our school pushed us into ‘combat mode’ right from the start of Form Five, which aided my concentration,” stated Le Rou, who achieved grades of 8A+ and 2A, including an A in Japanese.
After taking part in a student exchange program in Japan, she grew fond of the language.
She mentioned that her prime study time was between 6 pm and midnight.
“She mentioned that taking breaks helped prevent burnout, but maintaining consistency was key to keeping her on track.”
The twin sisters, Lee Yun Ting and Lee Yun Qian, attributed their achievements to robust familial backing, particularly from their mother.
Yun Ting, who achieved 6A+, 3A, and 1A-, along with Yun Qian, scoring 7A+, 1A, and 2A-, mentioned they frequently provided mutual support in their academic pursuits.
Yun Ting mentioned that our mother has been giving us guidance throughout the one-hour commute to and from school ever since we were in Form One,
The headmaster of SMK Sultan Ismail, Suriyah Mohamed Lahir, attributed the unprecedented SPM 2024 outcomes at their institution to the collaborative endeavors of pupils, educators, mothers and fathers, the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA), alongside local and regional educational boards.
The 56 top students obtained straight As, with two of them earning all A+ grades, while all 159 candidates successfully passed, resulting in a perfect 100% pass rate.
Suriyah, an experienced educator of 30 years, observed the progress made by the school compared to the prior year, where 36 students achieved straight As, with three earning perfect scores across all subjects.
She credited the achievement to well-defined Expected Targeted Results (ETR), ongoing performance tracking, and frequent student-teacher discussions within the framework of the Take-Off Value (TOV) method, which took place at least thrice prior to the examination.
She mentioned that the preparation started as early as Form 4, where students who were having difficulties were pinpointed at an initial stage, and their parents were involved to provide additional assistance.
“Every student’s advancement is monitored meticulously — each individual matters,” she stated, additionally expressing her gratitude to the PTA and educational departments for their continuous assistance with provisions and advice.
She mentioned that apart from academic pursuits, the school also stresses excellence in extracurricular activities.
A Form 5 student currently enrolled, Chua Yee Jia, has earned the opportunity to represent Malaysia at the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2025 in Columbus, USA. Her innovative chemistry project, “Molecular Insights into M.L.C.E Larvicide,” was the key factor in this selection.
In 2024, Johor witnessed a notable enhancement in the SPM results, with 41 students securing straight A+’s — which is over twice as many as the 20 who achieved this feat in 2023, reported the state’s education director, Mohd Hanafi Samad.
The state achieved its highest score over the past half-decade, scoring a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.36, which surpassed the national average GPA of 4.49.
“This represents the finest accomplishment for the state over the last half-decade,” he stated.
A total of 1,513 candidates achieved outstanding results with grades A+, A, or A-, whereas 4,096 obtained at least one grade B, and 6,740 received at least one grade C.
He mentioned that out of the 42,616 candidates, 94.49% were eligible for certification, and the number of absentees decreased to 565 from 901 in 2023.
candidates with special needs also excelled, with 16 out of 168 achieving outstanding results — this includes four students who scored 8A’s, four with 7A’s, and eight with 6A’s.
Moreover, Hanafi mentioned that the count of schools throughout both urban and rural regions in Johor attaining full certification eligibility increased from 75 to 81.
The difference in performance between urban and rural applicants decreased to merely 0.02 points, which aligns with the state’s aim to become a frontrunner in education at the national level.