In the initial format, the final ten contestants are selected by judges who will battle it out for the title on one night performing one song and a talent time performance each. The top three will then be chosen by a panel of judges, where after they would be subjected to a series of tests which assesses various aspects of their vocal and singing ability, such as vocal range, musical timing, vocal flexibility to adapt to different music styles, etc. The judges then determine the winner, first runner-up and second runner-up. The talent time performance was eliminated as of year 2005. As of 2006, with the change of name from Astro Talent Quest to Astro Star Quest a new format was introduced whereby all contestants would go through vocal, body gesture, hosting, speech management and dance trainings in addition to other challenges along the way to reach the finals with 6 contestants. The following year in 2007 onward, the finals narrowed to 5 contestants instead. Although SMS voting was introduced (for the popularity award), the judges still held absolute decision in the contestants' fate. From year 2008 onward, the contestants were facing more challenges with the introduction of a
"Player Kill" (PK) session among the contestants, with past winners, secondary school students or stars. In 2011 onward,
Astro collaborated with
CTV (China Television Company, Ltd) where top 5 finalist will then represent Malaysia at the
華人星光大道 Chinese Million Star. Contestants were sponsored for their flight ticket to Taiwan. The competition reaches its 20th anniversary in 2016 with the Final happening in the New Year's Eve on 31 December 2016 at Desa Park City. This particular year, the contestants were required to produce MTV as one of the competition segments. In the MTV production, the contestants were obligated to cover the selected songs with new improvisation (music arrangement improvisation) and different interpretation, with an aim in their unique portrayal as a new artist. == Guest Judges and Artistes ==