My Experience of JPA Scholarship Interview/ SAC  2018 (Program JKPJ)

Note : Everything in this article may vary according to the location and time of the interview 

My number.

It was conducted on 16th Mar 2018. The program that I applied was Program Jepun, Korea, Perancis , Jerman (Program JKPJ) . I got the notification that I was shortlisted around a week before that via SMS. Then, I checked the JPA website and I found that I had to travel from Pekan Nanas, Pontian to Kluang, where the National Institute of Public Administration for Southern Zone, is located. The documents required and dress code were stated on the website as well. It wasn't up to us what we liked to wear during the interview because they wanted us to strictly follow the dress code, in which we must wear dark color T-shirts (long-sleeved for girls) and sport trousers (track suit). Majority of us adhered to it. Still, there were a few who ignored this obviously-stated rule and one of the female interviewees even put on a vibrant color baju kurung. They already said on the website those who did not comply with the dress code would be kicked out and disqualified . But, I think she just wanted to impress the interviewers with her outfit and she was not kicked out, LoL.

The documents needed were as follows,

Original : Identity card, Birth Cert, SPM result slip, offer letter (get it from the website and print it), EA form(not need if u dont have) and Borang Penyata Pendapatan (also from the website, print and fill it)

Copy : Identity Card, Birth Cert, Salary Slips of parents,  last one I forgot....

*Neither extra-curricular certificates nor resume were needed.

We were waiting for registration at a hall.

As I arrived at the venue, I saw many parents waiting outside and chatting about their children. Subsequently, I entered the hall. There were around 50 persons. To my surprise, everyone was Chinese. Only 2 of them were Indians. I guess there were many malay students during the morning session since I was afternoon session and the program probably has quota. I had my seat and we were asked to fill a form whether we accept to be offered a different country and course from our choices or not. Of course I chose "yes". Later, I began to talk with others, one boy was from Batu Pahat while another was from Seremban since the Southern Zone also included Negri Sembilan & Malacca besides Johore. He said he set off at 8 a.m. He was from SMK King George V which I have never heard before but it sounds like high-performing school.  We were given a number card each with lanyard, worn around our necks, after registration. We were separated into 3 kelompok as mentioned in the offer letter. I was kelompok 3 which had 8 persons only as most of the interviewees in my kelompok were absent. Next, we were further divided into 2 groups which comprised 4 each. I was with the boy from Batu Pahat and another 2 girls from Muar and Batu Pahat. We then started introducing ourselves to each other en route to the room, guieded my the officials on duty. 

There were 2 sections for 2018 (other years I do not know) :

1. Group activity (BM), which we were assessed collectively 

2. Personal interview (bilingual), which we were given marks individually

Each section took 30 minutes.

1. Group Activity

We went to group activity first. There were 2 female interviewers and one male questions presenter in suit. We had to ensure our number cards was visible to the interviewers so they could give marks.

First Task

For the first task, four of us were asked to build a KLCC with the height of 25 cm and each base must be 5cm X 5cm within 7 minutes using 3 A4 papers & one meter ruler. The KLCC was considered failed if it could not withstand the weight of the meter ruler provided. Fortunately, we were able to complete it successfully in last minute and luckily I got to contribute some ideas.

Second Task

Secondly, we were asked to draw something on the whiteboard one by one based one the questions given. The other 3 group members sitting down there had to guess what was it and give their answers beginning with "Saya rasa ini ialah..." . I was the first one my question was "seorang orang tua memakai kain pelikat naik basikal". Yea, it was long. Everybody just tried to guess but no one succeeded. Then, it was another member's turn and his answer was "3 ekor tikus merentas jambatan".  Nobody succeeded as well and mine was nearly correct. For the third, I finally guessed one perfectly accurate, it was Negaraku Sehati Sejiwa. The fourth was Taat Setia kepada Raja dan Negara. My answer was Rukun Negara. Another member said Kesetiaan... instead of taat setia but counted correct. 

Third Task

Thirdly, a situation was given, quoted "A soup factory has received feedback that there is no soup in some of the boxes, it is a packaging problem. Let's assume you are the management of the factory, discuss the solutions in your group in about 3 minutes and each of you have 1 minute to present your solution. It would be better if the costs were lower and bla bla I could not remember."  So, we shared our points in the discussion. Some said using radioactive material to identify and detect the presence of soaps in the boxes. I said we should use the material with long half-life to reduce cost. Then, I said the QC inspectors should play their roles seriously and be  more responsible. Instead of picking 4 or 5 to check per carton, they should inspect carefully as many as they can. I also said we should install CCTV because there is possibility that the soaps are stolen by the employee(s). By the way, beware that we were constantly observed by the interviewers throughout the group activity section and those were quiet were asked to contribute ideas by the questions presenter. When I said I worked as factory worker while waiting for SPM result during the discussion, the interviewers immediately wrote something on their paper, maybe credit haha.

2. Personal Interview

After 10 minutes, we switched with another group which underwent personal interview when we were doing group activity. There were 2 interviewers as well. First and foremost, they asked us to brief them about what country and course we chose. I was the 1st one and I did not explain why I chose South Korea since he said "brief".  Then, they asked about the scale we can stand stress, given level one to ten, as they said some scholars sent to foreign nations collapsed and suffered depression due to homesick and pressure. Later, they continued with environment-related questions. For this personal interview section, all of us could not perform well and our answers were  not impressive because 4 of us stammered in the process and we did not speak fluently.

That's all. We were allowed to go home after retrieving our documents from the officials. I exchanged FB & phone number with other 3 members after taking photo at the venue. It was indeed an unforgotten experience for me~~

Almost everybody there, including some parents, seemed very nervous and anxious except me as I was not interested in this program at all. I just wanted to gather experience. 3 of my members chose engineering in France and Germany. If are lucky enough to get this offer and you are confident that you are capable of mastering a foreign language within 2 years, after all, being able to speak other languages really give you an edge over others, it is worth ! So, go for it !  All the best!

Sry for all grammatical and vocab errors I made. If u have question(s), 

feel free to email me！