Sasbadi, RM39.90, ISBN 978-983-77-3862-1
Education, 2024

The Physics paper in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination—the equivalent to IGSCE if we want to make comparisons to the UK education system—is one of the more interesting, shall we say, papers because it reflects a shifting paradigm in the subject teaching methodology that may not be fully appreciated or adopted by older-generation teachers.

Traditionally, this subject is viewed, not unfairly, as math with extra theories to remember, and much of the focus is in memorizing various formulae and doing calculations after applying the correct formula.

However, with the emphasis on Kemahiran Berfikir Aras Tinggi (KBAT; High Order Thinking Skills or HOTS in English) questions, Physics is one of the papers most transformed by this shift in paradigm. While KBAT questions for the subjective component of the exam, Kertas 2, of most papers carry anything from 25% to 40% of the overall score, for this subject it is an eyebrow-raising 50%.

Therefore, approaching this subject the old-fashioned way may still net a candidate a passing score if all goes well, but that 50% will be make or break for candidates wishing to hit that top score to get that tightly contested scholarship, a matriculation placement in some top university, or that ego boost.

Will Masterclass SPM: Physics prepare candidates to ace the present-day version of the SPM Physics paper?

Authors

Yes, the authors are toe and thumb. I’m sure they have heard that by now.

Tho Lai Hoong and Thum Lai Choon work as a duo, they co-author the Form Three and Four Five Science textbooks that are in used in schools today. Naturally, they authored Masterclass SPM: Sains as well as this book.

Design

Like all other Masterclass SPM books, the design is impeccable, very impressive to a degree that I have never seen before in SPM reference books from other publishers.

The use of colors aside, this book is much wider than normal. This is because every page comes with a 6.5 cm-wide colored side bar that is used for annotations as well as a box for one to put in the date when they revised a certain chapter.

This side bar is fantastic because there is more than enough space to put in one’s own notes. In this case, one can write in new words one has learned and their meanings, advice and tips from elsewhere, URLs, and other details to make this the one-stop reference book for one’s revision needs.

The fact that one can jot down notes also makes this book the perfect vehicle for active learning, which research has found to be far more effective than just passive reading. With plenty of space to add in notes, illustrations, and even small mind maps, this book is designed for this very purpose, so much kudos to the people that did the design and layout.

Content

It’s a good thing that there is plenty of space to jot down notes, because candidates using this book as their primary reference for Physics will have a lot of things to add.

The content here is fine, actually, when it comes to the non-KBAT parts of the exam. It covers the basics very well. With the use of color, illustrations, and more, revision using this book won’t be too dull.

However, the content touches on only the basics.

KBAT grills candidates on questions revolving around analysis, application, and even engineering of various devices using what they have learned. It’s especially pertinent in the essay questions of Kertas 2, where:

• In the “pick one out of two essay questions” section, the paper will present a case study and then give four components or scenarios and ask the candidate to analyze which one is best suited for use in that case.
• In the compulsory essay question, the KBAT component, in the last few years, always asks candidates to design a specific object (green home, boat, nuclear reactor, et cetera) based on their knowledge of relevant Physics principles.
• Each of these KBAT components carries 10 marks, which is 50% of the total 20 marks of each essay question, and it’s not broken down into smaller parts; it’s all or nothing.

In this book, however, the authors touch on application of various Physics laws and theories only superficially, and for some chapters, not at all.

Now, some candidates are frighteningly capable of thinking outside the box and being able to correctly interpret various scenarios and answer these questions accordingly. However, most candidates would need some help in how to think and approach these questions. Sadly, this book will not help in that aspect.

The practice questions do have some pretty good KBAT stuff, but because the reference notes are so basic, the candidate would end up scrambling to answer these questions. Sure, the answers at the back of the book would help shed some light, but won’t it be better if the reference notes are also designed to help candidates familiarize themselves to the KBAT components of the exam?

Also, I find it puzzling that the “design something”-style KBAT questions are missing in this book, except in the practice SPM exam. That style of KBAT question is arguably the most frightening one, as it’s an open-ended all for nothing question that can easily cause a candidate to miss out on getting a better grade. The one about designing a green home, for example, will definitely catch candidates that use mainly this book by surprise, as the chapter on heat in this book doesn’t even mention green homes.

Conclusion

• Presentation and design–excellent.
• This book can be useful in helping candidates memorize some basic laws or principles as well as solve the various types of calculations that will be thrown at them in the SPM Physics paper.
• In the last few years, there had been at least one “Wait, am I supposed to know this thing? I don’t! HELP!” question that has candidates reeling because these questions touch on something that is not directly referenced in the textbooks or reference books. Given how the content in this book barely skims the surface when it comes to applications of Physics principles, it’s not fully KBAT-friendly.
• So, candidates with limited budget and are looking to buy only one good reference book may want to give this one a miss. It will teach them the basics, but it won’t be useful in minimizing the number of nasty surprises they would encounter in the exam hall!