A 61-year-old retiree in Perlis continues to sit for the SPM exam as a personal challenge, scoring a B in Mathematics this year and inspiring others to value education.
KANGAR: A 61-year-old retiree from Kampung Bohor Tui in Kuala Perlis has demonstrated that the pursuit of knowledge has no age limit by sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination as a private candidate for the past four years.
Hamidan Yahaya, a former driver with the 504th Regiment of the Territorial Army Camp, said his decision was driven purely by a deep interest in learning and a desire to challenge his own intellectual capacity rather than any career necessity.
Having retired last year after 27 years of service, Hamidan has seen his results fluctuate across subjects, scoring an A in Mathematics in 2022, a B+ in Science in 2023, a C in Mathematics in 2024, and a B in Mathematics alongside a C+ in Science in the 2025 exams.
“I just enjoy trying and testing my IQ, and even at this age, I feel that I can still learn like younger people,” he told reporters after the announcement of the Perlis SPM 2025 results.
The father of five and grandfather of three studies independently using reference books, finding that the annual variation in examination questions adds to the excitement of the challenge.
His most recent attempt was nearly derailed by a minor motorcycle accident just days before the 2025 exams, which occurred when he hit a pothole on a flooded road near his home.
“I thought my results this time might be a B or lower as I answered the paper while in pain,” he recounted.
Hamidan, who became an orphan during his Form One years, said the hardships he faced in attending school as a child, often cycling long distances, inspired his late-life academic journey.
Now among the oldest SPM candidates in the state, he urged the younger generation not to take their educational opportunities for granted.
“Seize the opportunity while you are young, study hard and make your parents proud,” he added.
