No tuition, no problem: SPM student scores 10 As without any tuition

Joshua and Angelina

PETALING JAYA: Despite not taking any tuition, Joshua Rahul Row was elated to find out he had scored straight As – eight A+ and two As – making him the top SPM scorer among 157 students in SMK La Salle PJ who sat for the exam.

A hardworking and determined student, Joshua started preparing for the SPM while he was in Form Four, and kept a healthy habit of revising his subjects throughout Form Five.

“I chose not to go for tuition because, during the (early stages of the) pandemic, most of the classes were online.

When physical tuition was available, it was too far to travel to,” said Joshua about his decision to study by himself.

“I searched and watched teachers on YouTube for the subjects I didn't understand.

"I also used the Pomodoro method, where after every 25 minutes of study, I rested for five minutes, and after three hours, I took a 15-minute break.”

Teaching his friends along the way has also helped Joshua, as he needed to understand the subject thoroughly in order to teach it.

The SPM was tough, he said, and there were times he was afraid he would not be able to land straight As.

“During SPM results day, I was really nervous. I thought I didn’t get the grades because my name was announced last,” he said.

Recovering from his initial surprise when he heard he got 10 As, he was really happy about his achievement.

“I am thankful to my parents, teachers and friends for supporting me, especially when I was stressed or down,” he said.

Angelina Arokiasamy, his mother, initially wanted him to attend tuition classes.

However, after seeing her son’s persistence, she was confident in him and provided him with emotional support and care.

“This shows future SPM students that it is possible to get good grades even without spending a potentially hefty amount on tuition.

“I have not spent a single sen (for tuition) on him,” she said, adding that Joshua also chose to use second-hand syllabus material when studying for the SPM, instead of buying new books.

He is planning to sit for his A-levels and hopes to become a doctor.