EPH Publishing, RM38.90, ISBN 978-967-254-741-9
Education, 2025

I am not familiar with EPH Publishing, aside from that they are the publishing arm of Popular Bookstore, and they also put out educational books in Singapore.

When I see that they have published the latest editions of their Success Plus SPM reference books, however, I decide to pick Success Plus SPM: Biology up to see whether it’d be useful as a studying aid.

Boy, am I blown away!

The Author

Gan Wan Yeat is listed on the cover as a textbook author, and a quick check confirms that he is indeed one of the co-authors of the Form Four Biology textbook.

Design

• This book has no gimmicks. Only a few pages have more than two colors. It doesn’t offer special sections on SPM tricks and tips, and for some reason, the format of the SPM Biology paper is stuck at the last page instead of within the first few pages.
• While all these may not seem impressive, I almost have a heart attack when I see the illustrations. They are big, detailed, and clear. These are the biggest illustrations with the best clarity I have seen of all the SPM Biology reference books in the market, and I am immediately in love. This is a very important detail because Biology, of all the pure Science subjects, needs to have solid and clear illustrations to let candidates understand what they are studying, and here, the images are… huge. It’s really remarkable how this reference book packs so many of these awesome illustrations without having to be as thick as a telephone book!
• Wherever applicable, processes are displayed in large, illustrated, and clear flow charts and again, they are remarkable.
• You know what this book reminds me of? Those expensive textbooks used for Cambridge A-Level studies that cost a few hundred Ringgit, and this one costs only a fraction of that price.

In other words, this book may appear old school and basic, but it is very practical and emphasizes clarity over gimmicks. Fantastic!

Content

The author must have misheard “KBAT” as “kick butt” because my god, the content seems tailored to provide candidates with the most well-rounded perspective of each chapter to best of its ability.

• The content mostly covers the basics of the syllabus—almost. A few minor sections seem to be missing, for example kidney transplant in the disorders of the urinary system section. Still, the major topics are covered, so the candidate making this book their primary reference book would have to add their own minor additions here and there.
• However, the author goes above and beyond the call of duty here. Accompanying the core reference text are extra details related to a certain part of the topic that can help make the big picture clearer, highlights of common mistakes made by candidates that are mostly due to imprecise details, and some KBAT-oriented Q&A boxes.
• The eye on KBAT extends to the practice questions. I’ll be blunt: the KBAT questions are tough. Most SPM reference books would pass off questions that are just a bit less direct as KBAT questions, but here, the author is determined to kick the candidates’ butts alright with KBAT stuff that feels frighteningly right at home in the actual SPM Biology paper.
• Therefore, candidates aren’t just learning basic stuff; with this book, they are also getting practice piecing everything they have read to apply these lessons into various situations and cases that the SPM Biology paper could throw their way.

Is KBAT really that important?

It depends. Candidates that are just aiming to pass can overlook this aspect of the exam and focus on getting all the basic information down pat.

However, KBAT questions command easily one quarter to one third of the marks on a particular paper, especially Paper 2.

Therefore, doing well in these questions can make a crucial difference between getting a certain grade and getting the next higher grade. Candidates angling for scholarships or are just being kiasu will want to ace these questions!

Conclusion

• I can’t overstate how impressed I am with this book. It’s the best SPM Biology reference book I’ve come across!
• Should one buy this book if they are sitting for the paper? I’d say yes. It covers enough ground for candidates wanting to just pass or ace the paper.
• It’s its excellent focus on KBAT that sets it heads and shoulders above the other SPM Biology reference books, and the additional information it presents also makes the content feel fresh and fun.
• Of course, the excellent illustrations, diagrams and flowcharts. These are essential components for any Biology reference book, and this book spares no real estate in presenting the biggest and best ones possible.

If you can afford only one SPM Biology reference book, especially given how pricey they can be, take your bet on this one. I’ve a good feeling that the rewards will be worth it!