60pct UKKM Minimum Score Required For MRSM Admission - MARA

MERSING, Feb 7 (Bernama) -- The Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) has set a minimum score of 60 per cent in the MRSM Admission Aptitude Test (UKKM) for entry into MARA Junior Science College (MRSM) to ensure students can cope with the academic demands of the institution.

MARA director-general Datuk Zulfikri Osman said all applicants are required to sit for the test, with first-round offers given to candidates who scored at least 60 per cent.

For the Form One intake, MARA offered about 7,300 places from 118,000 applications received. For the Form Four intake, 2,700 places were available from 96,000 applications.

“All first-round offers were taken up, but some places became available as several candidates did not register on the main registration day,” he told Bernama after officiating at the MARA Prihatin Desa Madani Programme in Kampung Hubong here today.

He said the remaining vacancies are estimated at between 400 and 450 places. MARA also received about 45,000 appeal applications, with selections made based on the highest scores to fill the vacant places.

He said the selection process also considers socio-economic background, with 60 per cent of places allocated to students from the B40 group, 30 per cent from M40 and 10 per cent from T20.

Zulfikri said MARA does not want to admit students who fail to meet the minimum requirement, as they may struggle with their studies and risk dropping out, which could affect their motivation and interest in learning.

When asked about expanding MRSM capacity due to the high number of applications, he said it would depend on MARA’s ability to increase the number of classes, teachers and hostel facilities.

“MARA currently operates 58 MRSMs nationwide. However, admission opportunities could be expanded in the future if additional funding is provided to build more MRSMs,” he said.

Previously, MARA chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said in a Facebook post that the number of appeal applications for MRSM intake was exceptionally high, with more than 45,000 appeals for Form One compared with only 250 vacancies available.

Earlier in his speech, Zulfikri said MARA Johor received RM42.4 million last year, including RM1.13 million for training and entrepreneurship grants.

He said RM35.36 million was allocated for financing facilities, while RM5.93 million was used for the maintenance of business premises under the people’s wellbeing initiative.

The allocation benefited over 3,000 entrepreneurs who received various forms of assistance throughout 2025.

“This year, MARA Johor has been allocated RM26.5 million for entrepreneurship development. The allocation is expected to benefit more entrepreneurs and help improve the socio-economic wellbeing of the Bumiputera community in the state,” he added.

-- BERNAMA