SAM

Apart from immortalizing my very good or bad experience in the pre-university program i'm currently undertaking - South Australian Matriculation (SAM) for future personal reference through this piece of writing, i think it's indeed a very pleasing thing to do as to share possibly all details and opinions of mine that hopefully may be well considered favorable for fellow readers who are also, in the same ship as I, in pursuing a voyage to self discovery.

Self abusing to be more precise. 

Well, notoriously nicknamed as Self Abusing Matriculation, SAM is rather different from the pedagogical system that Malaysian students used to - the examination oriented educational evaluation system. In fact, we are so accustomed to it until not much to our acknowledgement, digesting piles of textbooks and past-year papers has been necessity so mundane of our school life. Students like us who are trained to befit in such unbending study environments in fulfilling the needs of government/school exam in previous years may find it unusually difficult at first to cope with SAM. As we were indoctrinated with a belief that exam should always come first, it's inevitable that we sometimes have forgotten and neglected what really matters - application of learning. That is why SAM as a relatively untraditional program does not seek to conform with others but improvise in way to adapt the changed requirements in the today's world. It's philosophy of learning, which is entirely dissimilar from that of the A levels and other examination oriented program, demands not only examination skills but students' consistency to do equally good throughout the process, so to create possibilities for we have given the power to realize our dreams with our own efforts.

In SAM, 70% of its grading comes from internal assessment. These assessments that include quizzes, practicals, issue investigation, scientific research are intricately designated by the SACE board for students to look beyond what a textbook can offer, so that students can truly experience satisfaction directly from their industrious endeavor or to experience consequential failure that resulted from their negligence that they should prove momentary. (trust me, it can be anxiety inducing sometimes). Through this snappy one year, it is mostly certain discipline will to be tested and students will learn to prioritize in brushing up the task management skills that they are so new to.

While individual/group works from internal are highly regarded as an important element in SAM, examination, reckoned to be the product of these 70%, is sought to be as equally critical, as an overall evaluation of students' theoretical understanding. Never underestimate this 30% as it can prove to be very tricky at times, as being substantially rewarding or punishing. While a sharpened sword will never fail to pierce, as long as adequate concern is shown to the internal 70%, the previous hard work will undoubtedly suffice students the confidence to do outperform in the final examination.

Nevertheless, high scores can be achieved only by the means of disciplined, progressive learning that is based on understanding, application and teamwork that would ultimately prepare students the skills that will be a measurement of one's worthiness in the competitive society in the future. SAM serves as one of the best self development projects offered in our lifetime to reshape ourselves, in order to fill in the niche we always dream for.