Malaysian University English Test (MUET) Guide
Posted by Chong
Malaysian University English Test (MUET), first launched in 1999 and administered by Malaysian Examinations Council (Majlis Peperiksaan Malaysia), is a test to measure candidates’ English language proficiency. MUET is taken by students who intend to pursue their tertiary education at local public universities since it is a mandatory test to gain entry into degree courses offered at all Malaysian public universities. This test is carried out twice a year, in April/May and October/November. Candidates usually register through their academic institutions while private candidates through State Education Departments (Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri), with a registration fee of RM60.
Unlike International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) which are globally accepted as the certification of English language proficiency, MUET is recognized only in Malaysia and Singapore (National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University).
MUET consists of four components: listening, speaking, reading and writing. New test specifications have been introduced officially and will apply from MUET October/November 2008 onwards while old test specifications will still apply for MUET October/November 2007 and April/May 2008. The table below shows the detailed comparison between new and old format of MUET.
Candidates are rated into six bands – band one being the lowest and band six being the highest -- according to their test scores. The total score is 300 and the table below shows MUET band description.
Students that have taken MUET are eligible to be enrolled into degree courses offered at local public universities as long as their CGPA for Diploma STPM or Malaysian Matriculation examinations are good enough to fulfil the entry requirement. The difference between all these bands is that students from band 1 and 2 have to take two extra English courses during holidays while band 3 and 4 students take one extra course. Students with band 5 or 6 can skip the extra English course. Some competitive degree courses like medicine and pharmacy, however, require students to get band 5 or 6 in MUET.
Online Resources for MUET
MUET Tips by Melanie, MUET Listening Tips, MUET Speaking Tips, MUET Reading Tips and MUET Writing Tips
Malaysian University English Test (MUET), first launched in 1999 and administered by Malaysian Examinations Council (Majlis Peperiksaan Malaysia), is a test to measure candidates’ English language proficiency. MUET is taken by students who intend to pursue their tertiary education at local public universities since it is a mandatory test to gain entry into degree courses offered at all Malaysian public universities. This test is carried out twice a year, in April/May and October/November. Candidates usually register through their academic institutions while private candidates through State Education Departments (Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri), with a registration fee of RM60.
Unlike International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) which are globally accepted as the certification of English language proficiency, MUET is recognized only in Malaysia and Singapore (National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University).
MUET consists of four components: listening, speaking, reading and writing. New test specifications have been introduced officially and will apply from MUET October/November 2008 onwards while old test specifications will still apply for MUET October/November 2007 and April/May 2008. The table below shows the detailed comparison between new and old format of MUET.
| Test | Old Test Specifications | New Test Specifications | Possible Genres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening (800/1) Duration: Weighting: Number of texts: Number of questions: Question type: | 45 marks 30 minutes 15% 3 15 Four-option multiple-choice | 45 marks 30 minutes 15% 5 20 - Information transfer - Short answer - Four-option multiple-choice - Three-option multiple choice | Lecture, briefing, talk, discussion, interview, telephone conversation, announcement, instructions, advertisement, news, meeting, documentary |
| Speaking (800/2) Duration: Weighting: Number of tasks: Task format: | 45 marks 30 minutes 15% 2 A: Individual presentation B: Group interaction | 45 marks 30 minutes 15% 2 A: Individual presentation B: Group interaction | Contemporary issues |
| Reading (800/3) Duration: Weighting: Number of texts: Number of questions: Question type: | 135 marks 120 minutes 45% 4 50 - Cloze - Information transfer - Four-option multiple-choice | 120 marks 90 minutes 40% 6 shorter texts (at least one text with graphics) 50 - Three-option multiple-choice - Four-option multiple-choice | Articles from journals, newspapers and magazines, academic texts, electronic texts |
| Writing (800/4) Duration: Weighting: Number of questions: Question type: | 75 marks 90 minutes 25% 2 Task 1: Summary of not more than 100 words Task 2: Extended writing not fewer than 250 words | 90 marks 90 minutes 30% 2 Task 1: Interpretation of information based on specific stimuli provided (no less than 150 words) Task 2: Extended writing based on a given topic (no less than 350 words) | Report, article, letter, essay |
Candidates are rated into six bands – band one being the lowest and band six being the highest -- according to their test scores. The total score is 300 and the table below shows MUET band description.
| Band | Aggregated Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 260 - 300 | Very good user - Very good command of the language. Highly expressive, fluent, accurate and appropriate language: hardly any inaccuracies. Very good understanding of language and contexts. Functions extremely well in the language. |
| 5 | 220 - 259 | Good user - Good command of the language. Expressive, fluent, accurate and appropriate language but with minor inaccuracies. Good understanding of language and contexts. Functions well in the language. |
| 4 | 180 - 219 | Competent user - Satisfactory command of the language. Satisfactory expressive and fluent, appropriate language but with occasional inaccuracies. Satisfactory understanding of language and contexts. Functions satisfactorily in the language. |
| 3 | 140 - 179 | Modest user - Modest command of the language. Modestly expressive and fluent, appropriate language but with noticeable inaccuracies. Modest understanding of language and contexts. Able to function modestly in the language. |
| 2 | 100 - 139 | Limited user - Limited command of the language. Lacks expressiveness, fluency and appropriacy: inaccurate use of the language resulting in breakdown in communication. Limited understanding of language and contexts. Limited ability to function in the language. |
| 1 | Below 100 | Extremely limited user - Poor command of the language. Unable to use language to express ideas: inaccurate use of the language resulting in frequent breakdowns in communication. Little or poor understanding of language and contexts. Hardly able to function in the language. |
Students that have taken MUET are eligible to be enrolled into degree courses offered at local public universities as long as their CGPA for Diploma STPM or Malaysian Matriculation examinations are good enough to fulfil the entry requirement. The difference between all these bands is that students from band 1 and 2 have to take two extra English courses during holidays while band 3 and 4 students take one extra course. Students with band 5 or 6 can skip the extra English course. Some competitive degree courses like medicine and pharmacy, however, require students to get band 5 or 6 in MUET.
Online Resources for MUET
MUET Tips by Melanie, MUET Listening Tips, MUET Speaking Tips, MUET Reading Tips and MUET Writing Tips
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i just want to ask...i matriculation's student...i got band 2 in muet 2008...if i repeat muet as calon persendirian 2009...how bout the result that i'v obtain from muet 2008? is it might be effect for my courses that iv been chosen before?
Posted by
Anonymous |
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 3:43:00 PM
now the format have change...the percentage of reading and writing are same which are carry 30% respectively^^
Posted by
Anonymous |
Saturday, April 25, 2009 4:58:00 AM
i'll be matriculation's students soon and i really worry with my english..im not really good in english..~speaking,writing.really bad for me..n how can i handle this?? i really want pass n get a good band for my MUET..please help me guys..
Posted by
Anonymous |
Wednesday, April 29, 2009 4:00:00 PM
hye...i have lost ma MUET certificate ...how is possible for me to get back ma certificate....i really hope somebody will help me out...i'm really grateful for your kindness..thank you.
Posted by
Anonymous |
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 1:15:00 PM
Hey I would like to confirm one thing...
Is it true students who are doing locally need to take MUET, or else we can't graduate?! Currently, I'm in Year 1 Semester 2, and I only took IELTS but not MUET, so what I heard was I must take MUET or else there will be a no graduation ceremony for me...
Posted by
iewnihc |
Saturday, May 30, 2009 9:36:00 AM
i am now studying on a particular degree..i already taken MUET 2004..but the question here is how long the validity of MUET..what should i do? it is i have to renew my muet..pliz clear me.
Posted by
Anonymous |
Saturday, June 06, 2009 11:24:00 AM
i am pre law student of uitm kuantan pahg...i really afraid bout my future muet..if i want 2 pursue my study,i need 2 get band 4 for muet...what preparation should i do now 2 pass wif flying colours??
Posted by
Anonymous |
Saturday, June 13, 2009 4:56:00 PM
i really worry with my english..im not good in english.. especially in speaking and writing. My grammar really poor.
Even thought i thankful to GOD coz my last exam i got 4B in English subject.
But, can u tell where can i find sample witing for MUET coz i will take muet examination this octorber.
Please help me mr/miss ....*beg*
Posted by
Athailah_AHMAD |
Tuesday, July 07, 2009 10:20:00 PM
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