MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITY

ENGLISH TEST (MUET)

What is MUET?
Who should take MUET?
When is the MUET test?
Where to take MUET?
Why taking MUET?
How to perform well in
MUET?

WHAT IS MUET?
Malaysian University English Test (MUET)is a test of
English language proficiency, largely for university
admissions.
The test is set and run by the Malaysian Examinations
Council (which also runs the STPM examination).
MUET is largely recognised only inMalaysiaandSingapore.
However, a small number of universities outside Malaysia
and Singapore do recognise MUET.
There are four components in MUET:
Listening(800/1)-(45 marks)
Speaking(800/2)-(45 marks)
Reading(800/3)-(120 marks)
Writing(800/4)-(90 marks)

SCORES
&
GRADES
Band 6-(Aggregated score:260-300)
Highly expressive, fluent, accurate and appropriate
language: hardly any inaccuracies. Very good
understanding of language and contexts.

Band 5-(Aggregated score:220-259)

Expressive, fluent, accurate and appropriate language but
with minor inaccuracies. Good understanding of language
and contexts.

Band 4-(Aggregated score:180-219)

Satisfactory expressive and fluent, appropriate language
but with occasional inaccuracies. Satisfactory
understanding of language and contexts.

Band 3-(Aggregated score:140-179)

Modestly expressive and fluent, appropriate language but
with noticeable inaccuracies. Modest understanding of
language and contexts.

Band 2-(Aggregated score:101-139)

Lacks expressiveness, fluency and appropriacy: inaccurate
use of the language resulting in breakdown in
communication. Limited understanding of language and
contexts.

WHO SHOULD TAKE MUET?

MUET is compulsory for all STPM and matriculation
students, as well as diploma and pre-university
students who wish to pursue a first degree program
in local universities.There is no entry requirement
for MUET. For STPM and matriculation candidates,
MUET will automatically be a required subject for all
students to take, but it will not be shown in your
result slip. There will be a separate result slip for
MUET.

WHEN IS THE MUET TEST?

The test is run thrice annually, in February, July and
November starting from 2012.
For candidates of Matriculation Year 2015/16. The date of the
speaking test will be on 7th 15th of September while the
reading, listening and writing test will be on 7th of November
2015.

WHERE TO TAKE MUET?

National secondary schools (Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan)
that offerForm 6, matriculation colleges, certain universities,
as well as certain private and semi-private colleges

WHY TAKING MUET?

Most candidates who sit for MUET do so to apply for
admissions in public and private universities and colleges.
MUET is a prerequisite in applying for admissions into all
public universities and colleges in Malaysia. MUET is also
accepted for admissions into most universities in Singapore.
For instance, most courses in the Malaysian universities set
the minimal requirement of a Band 3 in MUET, while students
who want to graduate Medicine or Law would be required to
obtain a Band 5. MUET is also compulsory for graduating from
a local university. So, candidates are advised to take the
MUET as soon as possible to avoid delays in their graduation.

HOW TO PERFORM WELL IN

MUET?
Tip #1
Check out the structure and format of the test.
Get your hands on model test papers or past year papers. You can
obtain this easily from the bookstore or from your MUET tutor.

Tip #2
Prepare a plan of action
You need to decide and draw up a timeline or schedule. Its June now
and MUET is in November, ask yourself, how much time would you
have to allocate to MUET preparation for the next 4 months or 28
weeks? 3 times a week, 2 hours a day? Self-study? Form a study
group? Join a class? I would suggest all three.

HOW TO PERFORM WELL IN

MUET?
Tip #3
Practice
Yes, its just that simple. However, easier said than done. You need to manage
you time and motivation level. After attending sessions with your MUET tutor
and study group, you may do the following.

Practice Speaking.Get MUET speaking questions and simulate the test.

Speak to yourself. Pretend you are in the test. Visualise the test scenario. This
is the best way to prevent going blank, panic in the REAL speaking test session.
Practice Reading.Its important to attempt model questions. You need to
practice skimming and scanning for answers. You need to know that you can
finish the 45 questions in 90 minutes.
Practice Listening.When attempting the listening test, DON'T listen to every
single word of the recording. You need to learn the techniques of listening for
meaning and gist.
Practice Writing.You need to practice expressing your thoughts, views,
opinion, ideasin writing on paper, in the mostcoherent manner and with
suitable vocabulary.

HOW TO PERFORM WELL IN

MUET?
Tip #4
Read
Read online magazines, newspapers, good quality blogs, articles from
English language websites. Save them, email to your friends, share
and exchange articles.
Tip #5
Vocabulary
Get a good academic workbook and work on it. Academic vocabulary
which is required for MUET is different from normal everyday English.

MUET SPEAKING TEST

Sample Question:

A person's character is often

influenced by other people
around him/her. Who has the
greatest influence on a
person's character?Discuss
which of the following has the
greatest influence on a
person's character:
Candidate A : Parents
Candidate B : Teachers
Candidate C : Friends
Candidate D : Famous
Personalities

Task A Individual presentation

Given the situation, you now have:
2 minutes to prepare your responses
2 minutes to present
Task B Group discussion
You are given:
2 minutes to prepare your points to
eithersupport or opposethe other
candidates views
Decide on which of the 4 points you
think is the best (Note: it is perfectly
fine to agree with another candidates
points just as long as you explain why
and how it is the best point)
Example: I think that parents play a big
part in influencing their childs
character, but after listening to
Candidate D I would have to agree that
famous personalities have more
influence in a persons character. The
reason is because (add on one point to
Candidate Ds answers).

REFERENCES
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysian_University_English_Test
http://www.thestar.com.my/Opinion/Letters/2014/11/13/Make-MUET-afundamental-requirement/
http://www.hotcourses.com.my/study-in-malaysia/subjectguides/things-you-should-know-about-muet/
http://education.malaysia-students.com/2015/01/muet-2015-calendarmuet-2015-test-dates.html
http://www.hotcourses.com.my/study-in-malaysia/subject-guides/afew-tips-on-the-muet-speaking-test/
http://muettuition.blogspot.com/2014/02/tips-for-muetcandidates.html