If you’re reading this, it likely means you’re getting ready to take the Malaysian University English Test (MUET). It’s great that you’re looking to learn how to score well on this exam.
To earn a high score, like band 5+ in MUET, you need to do well in all four sections. This means you'll need to improve your overall English skills. Achieving this will require a lot of effort and practice.
Will just improving your English skills guarantee a high score in MUET? Unfortunately, no, it won’t be enough on its own. You’ll need to take several other steps to achieve a high band. Let’s look at those steps together!
Overview of MUET Exam Structure
Here are the four components of the MUET exam:
Listening
The MUET listening test is the first part of the MUET exam. In this test, you’ll hear dialogues and a monologue. You’ll listen to each recording two times. After that, you’ll answer 30 multiple-choice questions about what you heard.
Some questions might be a bit challenging, but don’t stress too much. If you miss an answer the first time you listen, just pay extra attention during the second listen to find it. After you choose the right answer, make sure to mark it on the OMR sheet.
The listening test lasts 50 minutes and you can earn up to 90 marks. Students are assessed on their understanding of different subjects, topics, cultures, and their language skills. After listening, you'll need to match the correct answers to the questions while you listen.
Speaking
This is Paper 2 of the MUET test, which has two parts. Part 1 is an individual presentation, and Part 2 is a group discussion. The entire test lasts 30 minutes.
In the speaking test, you'll showcase your ability to present your ideas verbally on a specific topic. There will be four candidates in each session: A, B, C, and D.
For Part 1, each candidate will present ideas on a different task related to the same topic. You'll have two minutes to prepare.
After everyone has completed their presentations in Part 1, you'll move on to Part 2, where you'll discuss a topic with the other candidates. All candidates will receive the same question, presented as a mind map.
Since this is a language paper, you'll be evaluated on your sentence structure, vocabulary, use of idioms, and overall presentation style in a semi-formal manner. The highest score you can achieve for this paper is 90 marks.
Reading
The reading section of the MUET tests how well you understand different written texts, from casual to more formal styles.
The paper has 7 parts, and you'll read various passages and answer multiple-choice questions or short structured sentences about them. There are a total of 40 questions to answer.
You'll have 75 minutes to complete the test, and you can earn up to 90 marks for the reading section.
Writing
The MUET writing test, which is Paper 4, consists of two tasks. In Task 1, you'll write a response to a letter or email, while Task 2 requires you to share your thoughts on a given statement about a topic.
This section assesses your ability to express your ideas in writing, suitable for higher education.
You have 75 minutes to complete both tasks. This means you need to manage your time effectively and come up with strong ideas for your writing. It’s crucial to create a convincing and well-structured piece.
Create a Realistic Learning Strategy to Achieve Band 5+
After gaining a solid understanding of the MUET format and syllabus, it is time for you to create a plan to excel in the MUET exam.
Firstly, determine why you are sitting for MUET. What programme are you pursuing for undergraduate study? Check out the MUET band requirement for that programme. Different courses and universities have varying requirements. However, instead of just aiming to meet the minimum requirement, strive to achieve a band of 5 or higher. This will ensure that you are eligible to pursue any course you desire at any university. The MUET exam will not be a barrier for you.
Next, sit for a mock test to determine what level are you currently at. What band do you achieve when you sit for the MUET mock test? If you find yourself struggling, hire a private tutor from Superprof to help you. Our experienced tutors will make sure to tailor the lessons to suit your needs and work on weak areas to help you improve.
In just a few taps on the Superprof home page, you can find a dependable MUET instructor who aligns perfectly with your preferences for hourly rates, teaching style, experience, qualifications, and mode of instruction (online or face-to-face). With a vast pool of qualified tutors at your fingertips, you can browse through profiles, check their ratings and reviews, and even message them directly to inquire about their teaching approach and availability.
Why Topical Exercises Are Your Secret Weapons Before the Full Exam?
Practice is the most crucial element to succeed in any exam and MUET is no different. However, rather than blindly practising without any direction, having a strategy on how to practice will make a big difference to what you want to achieve.
It is good to practice topically at the beginning as you may not be ready to tackle the whole paper. Work on each section of each component first before attempting the whole paper. Review each question thoroughly with your tutor and ask for prompt feedback on ways to improve your performance for the next attempt. Gradually boost your confidence by diving into a variety of MUET study materials.
In the days or weeks leading up to your MUET exam, practice answering the complete paper as if you are attempting the actual test. Figure out how long it takes you to plan your answers for the writing component and assess how quickly you can understand the reading materials. The more you practice each section of the MUET exam, the better you'll do on the test day.
Keep in mind that in both writing and speaking, you should always follow the approach of State, Explain, and Illustrate. "State" involves presenting your main idea clearly. After that, "Explain" means to elaborate and provide more detail about your point. Lastly, "Illustrate" means to offer relevant and engaging examples to back up what you’ve stated.
Insights from Past MUET Reports
One crucial resource for MUET preparation that many students tend to overlook is the annual MUET report published by the Malaysian Examinations Council (MEC).
This comprehensive report provides an invaluable opportunity for students to access the correct answers for each question in the various components of the exam. Additionally, it includes insightful feedback from examiners, highlighting what elements contribute to a strong response versus those that lead to weaker results. By carefully analysing these comments, you can identify common pitfalls and ensure that you avoid repeating the mistakes made by previous candidates.
In comparison to some of your classmates who are preparing for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), having the benefit of understanding how MUET examiners evaluate responses gives you a significant advantage. This firsthand insight into the grading process equips you with strategies to enhance your performance and ultimately achieve a higher band score. By utilising the MUET report effectively, you can tailor your study approach to align with the expectations of the examiners, setting yourself up for success.
What to Do When MUET Results Don’t Meet Your Expectations?
After you take the MUET exam, you'll need to wait at least 10 weeks for the results. The result slip will show your scores for each section, so you can see the MUET band you earned. Click here to learn more about the MUET marking scheme.
What happens if you do not achieve the required band for your course? Don’t be discouraged. It is not the end of the road. You have two options:
Take the Exam Again
If you're not satisfied with your MUET results, you have the option to resit the tests. To do this, keep an eye out for the next registration period for the MUET exam and sign up again as a candidate. In the meantime, it’s a good idea to concentrate on the areas where you struggled the most, as this will help improve your overall performance in your next attempt. You might also want to look for extra resources or support, such as study guides, online courses, or private tutoring, to give yourself the best chance of success. Preparing effectively can make a big difference in your results.
Submit an Appeal
If you are unhappy with the MUET exam scores, you can also request a re-evaluation of your results. The fee to appeal during the application period is RM90.00.
You can submit your application online through the MPM portal or directly this website. You may use internet banking to pay for the application.
You can check the results of your MUET exam re-evaluation appeal on the MPM portal or here after 20 days from the application deadline. If your score changes, MPM will update your result, and you can get the new e-certificate on the mpm site.
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