27 from St Joseph’s Private Secondary School score straight As in SPM 2025

KUCHING (March 31): St Joseph’s Private Secondary School (SJPSS) achieved a strong performance in the 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, with 27 students scoring straight A’s.

According to the school, three students obtained straight A+ in all subjects, with two scoring 11 A+ and one scoring 10 A+. A further two students achieved nine A+ alongside one or two A’s, while 67 students obtained at least a B in all subjects.

Among the top performers was Allen Lai Hong Wai, who scored nine A+ and one A.

Sharing his experience, Lai said he felt both relief and joy upon receiving his results which had exceeded his expectations.

Of all the subjects, he described Biology as one of his most challenging due to its extensive syllabus.

“Biology has the most number of chapters among science subjects, and significant amount of content that need to be memorised.

“To overcome this, I try to understand certain concepts in biology instead of memorising them. I also watch useful videos online by biology teachers and jot down hard concepts to master.

“I also did many different questions from past trial papers to deepen my understanding,” he told The Borneo Post.

On his study approach, he emphasised the importance of discipline and proper time management.

“My honest suggestion is to maintain an organised study schedule and have very strong discipline.

“This helps you manage time effectively and identify subjects that require more attention,” he said.

He also credited his friends as a key source of motivation throughout his studies.

“Whether it was sharing study tips or just keeping each other company while studying, the support made a big difference,” he said.

When asked if faced any setbacks or difficulties when preparing for the exam, Lai acknowledged facing self-doubt, including imposter syndrome, which at times affected his confidence before exams.

“Imposter syndrome was certainly a huge setback. Despite extensive preparation and studying, you still feel as if you are back into square one and forgot everything you studied.

“This really affected my self confidence and caused me to be anxious before an exam. In the worst case, you will blank out in the midst of exam,” he shared.

He also said that prioritising tasks was crucial in balancing responsibilities and academics.

“As president of two clubs and being a discipline head in the prefectorial board, my honest advice is to get your priorities straight.

“It’s inherently impossible to do and manage all your responsibilities at the same time. That’s why you should identify what matters most at a given time and allocate your time and focus accordingly.”

Looking ahead, Lai plans to apply for scholarships and explore pre-university programmes.

He also advised future SPM candidates to start their preparation early while still cherishing their final year in school.

A total of 181 students from SJPSS sat for the examination in November and December last year.

School principal Yong Ing Thung said the results reflected not only the students’ efforts but also the commitment of the school community.

“Our students’ achievements speak for more than their own effort and talent. They also reflect the steady guidance and commitment of teachers who have supported them every step of the way.

“Success like this is never the work of individuals alone. It comes from a shared effort, where teachers, support staff and administrators each play a vital role in shaping an environment that allows every student to grow and excel,” he said.