Students enter one of two streams: humanities or science. They typically take a general studies course and three other subjects.
At the end of the Sixth-Form cycle, students sit for the Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM – Malaysian Higher School Certificate Examination), administered by the Malaysian Examinations Council. Students who pass at least one subject are awarded a certificate with subjects and grades recorded on it.
Students who attend Islamic schools for pre-university studies are awarded the Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (Malaysian Higher Religious Certificate).