Checking a course’s subject requirements takes less than an hour, and it decides where months of revision go. This page gives a method you can repeat for any course.
What are you looking for?
You need three things for each course: which SPM subjects are named, what result level is asked for, and whether the rule is fixed or has alternatives. Write each in your own words so you can compare courses later.
Always use the institution’s own current document. Older lists shared on social media may be out of date.
What is the five-step method?
- Choose up to three courses you might apply for.
- Open each institution’s official entry requirements for the intake you will apply to.
- Copy the subjects and result levels into a table.
- Mark each subject as required, preferred or not mentioned.
- Compare with your latest marks and note the gaps.
What does a filled-in comparison look like?
The example below is original. The figures are invented for illustration, not real requirements.
| Subject | Course A (invented) | Course B (invented) | My latest mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Required | Required | 62 |
| Additional Mathematics | Preferred | Not mentioned | 41 |
| Physics | Required | Not mentioned | 55 |
| English | Required | Required | 68 |
From this table you learn quickly that Mathematics and English serve both courses, while Physics matters only for Course A. Additional Mathematics at 41 would matter only if Course A is the goal.
What do you do with the result?
Protect the subjects that appear in every option first, then decide about subjects that only one option needs. Use the realistic revision planner to turn the table into weekly time.
If two options need very different subjects, it may be worth reading how to prioritise subjects when you cannot take tuition for all of them. The page on certificate conditions versus course entry requirements explains why both checks matter.
What mistakes should you avoid?
- Relying on a friend’s memory of last year’s requirement.
- Reading a total-grades award rule as if it were a course rule.
- Forgetting to check whether the requirement names a level of result.
- Checking too late to change anything.
For students who need Mathematics help for a computing or technical course, see Maths and Add Maths for computing pathways. Back to decisions.