In 1970s, independent Islamic schools were not received well from the public due to unorganised administrative system and the lack of facilities, while the people's awareness towards education increased at the same time.
[2] However, a small number of SMKAs have lost its status due to promotion of status to a Fully Residential School (like SBPI Jempol in Batu Kikir, Negeri Sembilan, which was previously SMKA Jempol sometimes in 2002) and return to the respective State Government (as in the case of SMKA Tun Ahmad Zaidi in Kuching, Sarawak in 2012).
Requirements may be different according to the need of such state, but a general and centralised instruction on admission to SMKAs was provided by the MOE Islamic Education Division.
As a small number of SMKAs hold Tahfiz Model Ulul Albab (TMUA) additional status, candidates need to be able to memorise a page of al-Quran in 45 to 50 minutes.
A candidate must be not more than 16 years old in age, get a good result in Form 3 Assessment (including at least Grade B in Arabic Language and Islamic Education subjects), pass PAFA conducted in Form 3, active in co-curricular activities, be able to read al-Quran and write Jawi script, know how to perform Salah and pass the Entrance Test.