You log in to the homepage.
You key in your IC number.
You click to check your MUET results and take a deep breath.
The MOMENT OF TRUTH is here.
Behold, your MUET band!
Did you just imagine how the real thing is going to be after you have completed your MUET papers?
What is your targeted MUET band? And most importantly, do you think you can achieve your targeted band?
In this article, we will look at how you can achieve your desired band for all your MUET-tested components: listening, speaking, writing and reading.
Identifying Purpose, Themes Of The Given Texts [Listening]
It's pretty straightforward to score well for all the 30 questions of the MUET Listening component.
Firstly, candidates need to identify the correct topic or subject that is being discussed throughout the dialogues or monologues.
From there, candidates also need to decipher the background and cultural context of the conversations as they listen. This requires them to directly apply what they are exposed to on a daily basis and in real-life situations.
For example, a dialogue may take place in a multicultural setting whereby two non-Chinese speakers are talking about the Mooncake Festival celebration.
Secondly, candidates need to possess a certain level of linguistic knowledge to have exceptional listening skills.
The most obvious indicator of a candidate who scores Band 5 or Band 5+ for this section is the candidate can easily understand extended speech when it is not clearly structured and when the relationship between the speakers is only implied but not signalled explicitly.
In real life, they can also understand English-based audiovisual programmes like television programmes or movies without too much effort.
In other words, you can train yourself to be an active listener. Surround yourself in an English-speaking environment, be it through conversations or English media immersion such as watching the American sitcom, Friends.
Delivering Ideas In A Coherent & Confident Manner [Speaking]
Now, we look at the criteria to score well for your MUET speaking component.
There are two core descriptors that examiners will look at throughout your speaking session.
First descriptor: PRODUCTION
Candidates have an effective logical structure to present his or her points in a clear and smooth manner.
He or she also understands the right words to use according to the context and presents the points accordingly.
Having said that, the points given are supposed to address the given question/ topic.
Second descriptor: INTERACTION
Granted that the MUET speaking component involves both individual and group presentation, essentially it's about how you can express yourself confidently in English.
Firstly, candidates should be able to express themselves fluently and convey a variety of messages accurately.
Secondly, candidates can effortlessly engage in any conversation and discussion and also correctly apply the right idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms when needed.
Thirdly, if the candidates experience any difficulty along the way, they can easily adapt or navigate the presentation or discussion to restructure their points and pace in a natural manner.
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Based on one of the annual MUET reports for the speaking component, here are some important criteria that examiners look for in an excellent candidate:
- Candidates can develop the points well, providing an in-depth discussion that not only displays but sustains maturity of thought.
- Candidates can easily make connections between the given task and their personal experiences, as well as current issues and general knowledge (this is apparent among candidates who are well-read).
- Candidates can effectively use the preparation time to write notes in point form rather than creating full sentences, and fully utilise the presentation time to elaborate on the notes.
- Candidates can display the ability to use complex structures accurately, as well as a high command of vocabulary, to not only convey their own views but to justify, convince, and persuade.
- Candidates show high confidence and fluency in their presentations and discussions. In between, they are able to connect their points to the points raised by their peers in a way that makes the discussion logical and cohesive.
- Candidates show good interaction skills such as responding to viewpoints raised, initiating new topics for discussion, drawing conclusions from differing perspectives, and negotiating to arrive at a consensus.
Master these techniques to produce strong essays for your MUET writing component.
Expressing Core Points For Formal/Informal Writings [Writing]
For the writing component, the main descriptors to score a high band are as follows:
- Candidates can present their writings in a clear structure (logical and orderly way) and enable the readers to quickly identify the main points.
- Candidates show high fluency in the language whereby they can write complex texts accurately and appropriately according to the style of writing/format.
- Candidates can expand and support their points with relevant reasons and examples as well as end with an appropriate conclusion.
When it comes to Task 1 (Guided Writing), here's what examiners are looking for:
- Appropriate format and tone are included as they compose an email or letter (reply)
For instance, salutations or subject lines are included in the opening to indicate the title of the email or recipient of the document.
There must be a clear acknowledgement of having read and understood the information embedded in the given document.
- Structure of the message (Body/ Main ideas)
After the acknowledgement in the beginning, candidates need to address the given notes with elaboration in the subsequent paragraphs. In between, candidates need to show cohesiveness as they construct the sentences.
Having said that, there should be an appropriate closing remark at the end of the document, followed by the candidate's signature. Some examples include: Regards, Thanks! Write soon!
For Task 2 (Extended Writing), here are what you should be mindful of:
Candidates should identify and define keywords in the given statement.
For an argumentative essay or discursive essay, candidates should make a clear stand on the issue (to agree, disagree, or agree to a certain extent). From there, candidates have to write a clear thesis statement to indicate their writing direction. For a problem-solving essay, candidates need to address the problem right from the start.
For the body of the essay, candidates should provide three points (or at least two) and develop them with reasonable depth. It's essential to explain and justify the points with the right examples and write on the subject with maturity.
Remember, candidates should refrain from making unsubstantiated claims or statements!
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When it comes to ideas organisations, candidates should write down their points in clear paragraphs, in the format of an academic essay.
Candidates are encouraged to draft their points separately beforehand to have a clear view of what they need to write (so that nothing important is missed).
Examiners will pay attention to the variety of sentence structures that candidates use throughout their writing. There must be a good combination of simple and complex sentence structures and the correct application of vocabulary as well as grammar throughout the writing. You are also supposed to use the right cohesive devices and connectors to link your sentences.
Some examples of cohesive devices include:
- As a result
- Therefore
- Because
- Due to
- Furthermore
- On the other hand
- In conclusion and many more
Important tip: Follow the word limit for Task 1 and Task 2 respectively. For Task 1, you need to write about 100 words. On the other hand, you need to write at least 250 words for Task 2.
Look through these learning resources to have an effective MUET revision.
Expanding Vocabulary To Comprehend Give Tasks [Reading]
When it comes to answering the 40 questions for the MUET Reading component, there is only one formula:
VOCABULARY+ SENTENCE STRUCTURE = MAXIMUM COMPREHENSION
Each reading task can be of different formats such as advertisements, announcements, notices, menus, prospectuses, short stories, biographies, blogs, news articles, job application letters, research bulletins, reviews, literary writing, and others.
This means you need to familiarise yourself with the associated jargon and sentence structures of these varied reading texts to really comprehend their main message in order to answer the questions correctly.
The more vocabulary you know, the faster you can get through the texts. The more sentence structure you are accustomed to, the better you can connect the core message of the text through different sentences and paragraphs.
Maximum comprehension will translate into accurate answers because you can identify the purpose of the text, recognise the text structure of the text and also recognise the cause-and-effect relationship of the given text.
So start reading extensively today. Expand and diversify your media consumption to have a good headstart!
In the meantime, don't forget to explore the latest syllabus for all four MUET papers.
Improve Your Pronunciation & Grammar With Superprof
Now that you have reviewed the ways to score well for all the MUET components, you might want to focus on improving your command of the English language in certain areas.
For instance, some of you may be concerned with your English pronunciation or grammar.
There's nothing to worry about as you can always take personalised MUET lessons with an experienced Superprof tutor!
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Head to the Superprof Malaysia homepage and start browsing through the tutors' profiles to get a glimpse of what you can expect for your MUET lessons. Many reliable and experienced MUET tutors can't wait to connect with you and help you in this journey.
Not only that, you could also get a clear overview of all your MUET papers in terms of format and the preparation process. Trust us, you will be in good hands right until the time you eventually sit for your actual MUET papers!
Then before you know it, you will be staring at the screen confidently while looking at your MUET band results with great joy. You have now achieved your desired MUET band!
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