MUET is an English language test popular among pre-university students. Students often discuss this exam with friends and teachers when planning their future studies in undergraduate programs.
There are many reasons to sit for MUET. If you’re an STPM, matriculation, foundation, or diploma program student and want to apply for a bachelor’s degree at a local university, you must take the MUET exam. Most universities ask for MUET scores, so taking the test and including your results with your application is important.
Understanding the MUET syllabus is crucial for achieving good results, but knowing how the MUET tests are graded is just as important.
When you understand how you'll be graded in the four areas of the MUET exam: listening, reading, writing, and speaking, you'll find it easier to reach your desired score.
In this article, we will go through the updated grading criteria for all MUET components, reflecting the changes made to the exam format and syllabus in 2021.
Understanding MUET Banding and Evaluation Criteria
MUET’s marking scheme is in line with the Common European Framework of References (CEFR) language scoring system.
It has 9 bands with different score ranges as shown below:
Students will be assessed based on all four components which are Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing skills. The score breakdown is as shown below:
| Test Component | Maximum Score |
| LISTENING | 90 |
| SPEAKING | 90 |
| READING | 90 |
| WRITING | 90 |
| AGGREGATED SCORE | 360 |
It is essential to keep in mind that in order to get a total band score, candidates must complete all four parts. If you don't attempt all four, you won't receive a certificate. Band 1 is the lowest and Band 5+ is the highest. The average score achieved from all four components will determine your MUET band.
What are the Marking Criteria for the MUET Listening Component?
The listening test will check how well you can understand spoken language in both formal and informal settings.
Informal situations include chatting with friends or watching a movie, while formal ones involve listening to lectures or presentations.
When you're trying to grasp the main idea, you're focusing on the central point of what you hear. You'll practice this skill during the listening sections.
You’ll find it easier to catch the main idea because you’ll have 15 to 30 seconds to read the questions before each recording starts. Each part of the listening test will be played twice, giving you a chance to understand it better.
Each part of the MUET component has certain guidelines that examiners use to score students. For the listening section, the highest band descriptor is under Band 5. In order to achieve this, candidates must demonstrate the ability to do the following:
- Follow extended speeches even if they aren't clearly organised and when connections between ideas are suggested rather than directly stated.
- Easily follow TV shows and movies without much trouble.
These two guidelines are reflected in the MUET listening test, where students answer multiple-choice questions based on audio recordings they hear. The MUET Listening Test consists of five parts with a total of 30 questions, and each part has a different type of audio, like conversations and speeches.
The first part will cover familiar topics, then it will shift to more unfamiliar ones. To do well, pay close attention to the audio and connect what you hear to what you already know about the topic. This will help you understand the material better and answer the questions correctly. Another useful tip is to focus on identifying the key content in the audio.
Getting to Know How the MUET Speaking Component is Scored
The speaking component consists of two sections: which are Section 1 and Section 2. Essentially, Section 1 involves a personal presentation, while Section 2 focuses on a group discussion.
Let’s dive deeper into the Band 5+ speaking criteria. By understanding these standards, candidates can pave the way to achieving a higher band score in MUET.
The speaking descriptors are categorised into two main areas which are explained below:
Production
- Provide clear descriptions or arguments (Ensure your message is easy to understand)
- Maintain smooth flow (Organise your ideas so they connect well with each other)
- Use an appropriate style (Tailor your language and tone to fit the situation)
- Implement effective logical structure (Arrange points in a way that makes sense and is easy to follow)
- Highlight significant points (Emphasise key ideas so they stand out and are memorable for the audience)
Interaction
- Participate easily in conversations (Join discussions without hesitation)
- Demonstrate knowledge of everyday language (Use common phrases and informal expressions naturally)
These criteria assess your confidence, fluency, and clarity in language. They reflect how well you communicate.
Balance is key: Make sure to share your thoughts while also listening to others during the discussion.
Navigate the MUET Reading Component
The MUET reading test measures how well you can understand and make sense of English texts. It assesses your reading skills and comprehension across various types of texts, subjects, and situations.
The reading component has seven sections and includes ten different texts. You’ll need to answer a total of 40 questions, which are graded out of 90 points. The questions come in two formats: multiple-choice with three or four options, and multiple-matching.
For the reading section, the highest band descriptor is under Band 5. In order to achieve this, candidates must demonstrate the ability to do the following:
- Understand lengthy and complex factual and literary writings while recognising different styles.
- Understand detailed articles and long technical instructions, even if they aren't directly related to their area of expertise.
To do well on the reading paper, you need to develop some specific reading skills. One important skill is listening comprehension. This means being able to read a text, understand its main ideas, and connect that information with what you already know.
Improving this skill will be very helpful. In the reading test, you'll have to read long passages and answer questions about them, all while keeping an eye on the time.
This means you need to practice reading texts and quickly finding supporting details to answer questions. To improve this skill and tackle MUET successfully, try doing extra practice with sample reading test papers.
MUET Writing Component Assessment Standards
The MUET writing paper has two parts: Task 1 and Task 2.
In Task 1, you'll receive a short letter or email, of about 100 words. Your job is to write a reply to that letter or email, answering the questions or responding to the points made in it.
Task 2 is an essay where you'll write more extensively. For this task, you'll be given a statement about an idea or problem, often made by a guest speaker at an event. This statement will be designed to spark discussion, so you'll need to respond to the topic or issue presented.
This statement will be the focus of your writing in Task 2. You'll share your personal opinion about it, and the entire essay will reflect your viewpoint on the statement.
For the writing section, in order to achieve band 5+, candidates must demonstrate the ability to do the following:
- Can craft detailed writings that are easy to understand, flow well, and are highly accurate, using the right and impactful style.
- Can organise information clearly and logically, making it easy for readers to identify important points.
- Can emphasise important issues, elaborate on viewpoints with relevant reasons and examples, and wrap up the text with a suitable conclusion.
We recommend dedicating 25 minutes to Task 1 and 50 minutes to Task 2. For Task 1, you’ll write a brief email or letter, so finish that first before moving on to the longer essay in Task 2.
In essence, these two tasks will thoroughly assess your written English skills. Avoid spending excessive time analysing and planning, as you only have 50 minutes for the entire paper. Additionally, adhere to the specified word count: a minimum of 100 words for Task 1 and at least 250 words for Task 2.
Finding a great tutor to help you prepare for MUET examinations is so easy with a trustworthy platform like Superprof!
You’ll discover numerous English tutors specializing in various areas, including language proficiency exams like MUET and IELTS.
Superprof is designed for students, seamlessly linking learners and educators regardless of location or learning style. Whether you prefer a home tutor or an online option, Superprof has you covered.
Your Superprof tutor will tailor their guidance to match your learning level and speed. Rather than adhering to a fixed curriculum, the lessons will be customised to meet your specific needs, helping you reach your desired MUET band.
You can relax and not worry about missing practice for any of the four components of the MUET exam. Your Superprof tutor is dedicated to helping you succeed, and they will make sure that all areas are thoroughly covered and practiced before your exam dates arrive. With their guidance, you will have a well-structured study plan that addresses each component effectively, ensuring that you feel prepared and confident on exam day. So, you can focus on learning and improving your skills without the added pressure of catching up.
Visit the Superprof Malaysia homepage to begin your search for the perfect MUET tutor!
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