Are you a big-picture thinker or a detailed oriented thinker?
Let's say you are given a task to review a test.
Are you the type to go through the questions and roughly come out with a few steps to take or are you the type that reads through each question and analyse every keyword?
Everyone would have different preferences and thoughts on this matter but there is one thing we believe you should go deep into specifically.
It's none other than understanding the grading criteria of the test that you plan to sit.
Take the example of a language proficiency test like the Malaysian University English Test (MUET), which has many advantages.
Once you know how you will be graded for all four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking), you will have no issues achieving your targeted band.
In this article, we will be looking at the latest marking criteria for all the MUET-tested components following the change of the MUET exam format and syllabus in 2021.
Descriptors To Ace Your MUET Listening Component
According to the latest revised MUET band, there are currently 9 bands (ranging from Band 1.0 to Band 5+, with Band 5+ being the highest.
Every MUET component has specific descriptors that examiners follow to determine the band of the student. However, in the case of the listening component, the highest band descriptor is for Band 5.
Read carefully to see if you can do this:
- Able to understand extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not explained directly (pick up subtle cues, tones etc).
- Able to understand English medium media (films, series, documentaries) without much difficulty.
These two descriptors are exemplified during the actual MUET listening test when candidates are required to listen to 5 parts of audio recordings. The audio recordings revolve around several dialogues and monologues which cover different topics and are recorded by multiple speakers.
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After listening, candidates are required to answer multiple-choice questions and pair the answer options with the right statements (the total question is 30). On the other hand, the text length of the audio can range from 250 to 700 words.
Granted that candidates will only get to listen to each text twice throughout the session, it takes a whole lot of listening skill in terms of understanding the main idea of the dialogues as well as identifying what the questions in each part are looking for.
For instance, if a recording between two individuals is played, the candidate needs to clearly recognise the context of the dialogue.
Some elements include identifying the speakers (is it a dialogue between a teacher and a student or is it a dialogue between a parent and a child), the purpose of the dialogue (to inform, to educate or to make an appointment etc) as well as the final outcome of the dialogue (any resolution, targets achieved and so forth).
As long as candidates are able to do that, they can certainly pass this listening assessment with flying colours!
Having said that, don't forget to check out these amazing MUET learning resources to prepare well for all your papers.
Tips To Score Well In The MUET Reading Component
Now, let's talk about the reading component. Like the listening component, the answering method is pretty straightforward because there is already a pre-set correct answer.
What candidates need to do is read through the texts and passages and write down the correct answers for the 40 questions.
First, let's break down the 7 question parts (10 texts) for the MUET Reading paper.
- Part 1: Short simple texts which could include announcements, notices, short official documents, flyers, brochures directories, timetables, menus, labels and others.
- Part 2 and 3: Short stories from magazines, newspapers, blog articles, emails, or letters (both formal or informal) in general.
- Part 4 and 5: Longer passages from specialised magazines, feature articles, reviews, and discussion forums.
- Part 6 and 7: Lengthy texts that are adapted from textbooks, journal articles, research bulletins, professional publications, and literary writing (in other words, more academically inclined)
Therefore, the FIRST TIP to ace your reading component is to diversify your reading material. Pay attention to any learning resources around you and familiarise yourself with the sentence structure and tone of what you are reading.
In the long run, this will help you to broaden your subject knowledge on various topics, which will enable you to have better comprehension skills when you are reading various texts.
The SECOND TIP is to hone your skimming and scanning skills. Granted that you have to read 10 texts and answer the given questions in 75 minutes, time is of the essence.
Instead of reading word by word, focus on finding the topic sentence of each paragraph as it summarises the main point of each paragraph. Remember, there is no shortcut to this. The more you practice, the better you'll get at it.
The THIRD TIP is to check through your final answers and based them on the given text.
It is important to look out for matching keywords and statements among the multiple choice answers and when it comes to short structured answers, check if there are any spelling or grammar errors.
Seize every opportunity to secure your marks by mastering the best answering techniques for each MUET component!
Marking Criteria For The MUET Writing Component
For the writing component, candidates are tested through two different tasks.
Task 1 centres on writing a letter or email (Guided writing) while Task 2 centres on writing either a discursive essay, an argumentative essay or a problem-solution essay (Extended writing).
When it comes to answering Task 1, candidates must first apply the right format of writing a letter or email (from introduction, body and conclusion).
Next, the candidates need to carefully review what is given in the question, where they may need to pen a reply based on certain questions or scenarios.
It is important to keep the writing clear and concise while adopting the right style (tone) of replying to an email or a letter.
For Task 2, candidates are required to present a mature, in-depth discussion with relevant examples and an organised structure.
After identifying the key requirements of the essay, candidates need to start outlining at least three points and suitable examples to support their stand/opinion.
Marks will be awarded based on these criteria:
- A clear definition of keywords in the given statement
- A definite position (agree, disagree or agree to an extent) in the beginning and maintain it throughout the writing
- A good thesis statement to show you know where the writing is heading (Introduction)
- Comprehensive body paragraphs with the 3 points and relevant examples according to the chosen position earlier (Stick to one point per paragraph)
- Solid justification of all the 3 points (use examples like statistics, real news examples etc)
- Base the writing with substance and not mere superficial claims
- Varied sentence structures (in terms of vocabulary and development of ideas)
In other words, these two tasks will evaluate the mastery of your written English comprehensively.
Important tips: Make sure you don't spend too much time analysing and outlining the tasks because you are only given 50 minutes for this paper. Also, make sure you write according to the given word limit: At least 100 words for Task 1 and at least 250 words for Task 2.
Don't feel overwhelmed as you are reading this. We promise once you have completely mastered the grading criteria, you can certainly boost your MUET scores comprehensively.
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What Are Examiners Actually Looking For In The MUET Speaking Component?
Let's talk about the last component: The speaking component.
Candidates will first go through an individual presentation based on a written prompt, which is followed by a group discussion.
Here are some examples of the criteria that the examiner will evaluate you for both of these tasks:
- Clear expression of your opinions
- The ability to give valid reasons
- Your overall elaboration skills
- How you justify your opinion logically
- How do you take turns initiating conversation
- How you negotiate, interrupt the conversation politely
- Your ability to summarise your points and conclude the discussion smoothly
- Your overall pronunciation, intonation and clarity as you speak
All these criteria eventually measure your overall confidence, language fluency and coherency.
Having said that, it is important to find a balance between solely expressing your opinion and taking turns to listen during the discussion.
Not sure how you can figure these out? Don't worry. You can always find an experienced MUET tutor to guide you as you prepare for the test.
Achieve A High Band For All The Tested MUET Components With Superprof
Finding a good tutor is as easy as ABC when you have a reliable tutoring platform like Superprof!
In fact, you can find many English tutors with diverse areas of specialisation including language proficiency tests like MUET and IELTS.
Superprof is a student-friendly platform that connects like-minded students and educators effectively without geographical limitations and learning modes.
Whether you are looking for a home tutor or an online tutor, Superprof's got you covered!
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Your Superprof tutor can guide you according to your learning level and pace. Instead of following a rigid structure, the lessons will be personalised according to your needs so that you can achieve your targeted MUET band.
You also don't have to worry about missing out on practising for all four components as your Superprof tutor will cover all of them before your MUET test dates.
Head to the Superprof Malaysia homepage to kickstart your MUET tutor-hunting journey!
Now that you have gone into the details of the marking criteria of each MUET component, all that's left is to work towards the big picture. A Band 5+ for your MUET!
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