KUALA LUMPUR: The standard operating procedures (SOP) drawn up by the Education Ministry to manage the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations have been cited as a key reason behind the relatively smooth running of the exams, which began today.

National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Harry Tan said the first day of the SPM examinations proceeded smoothly, despite it being held under the constraints of the Movement Control Order (MCO).