When was the last time you visited a major bookstore like Kinokuniya or Popular?
As you walk past the shelves, what catches your eye first?
You will most likely slow down to identify the section/ location of the book that you intend to purchase. For example, if you intend to buy a book by John Green or Jenny Han, you would probably move towards the Young Adult section.
Similarly, when you are preparing for language proficiency tests like the Malaysian University English Test (MUET) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you'll need to know which component will you be tested on before you come out with a comprehensive study plan.
In this article, we will review five tips that will help you to achieve the maximum score for each MUET component. That way, you will have a better idea in terms of the preparation for your MUET speaking, listening, reading and writing component papers.
Tip 1: Speak Confidently & Express Your Points Clearly During The Discussion [Speaking]
Given that the Malaysian examination system places a higher emphasis on written assessment, it is not a surprise that the speaking component is one of the most "feared" components among MUET candidates.
Not only that, most students usually prefer to converse in their mother tongues and would only resort to speaking English when it comes to official occasions. This results in their lack of confidence and clarity whenever they are communicating in English.
If this is you, fret not. We got you covered.
Both the two tasks in the speaking component require you to state your position and elaborate accordingly. Hence, it's best to review the instruction carefully during the preparation time.
When it comes to the first task, come out with at least three points based on the scenario and position.
Make them simple, concise and present them in a systematic manner.
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As you are speaking, make sure you enunciate each word clearly and maintain eye contact with the examiner to show that you are confident.
At times, when you feel that you are stuck, slowly move on to the next point instead of pausing in the middle of your presentation. Keep the flow going!
For the second task, it is important to bear in mind that it is a group discussion, where all four candidates will take turns to present their points.
Having said that, it is not only important to express your opinions well but also to pay attention to what other candidates are saying. That's because everyone needs to come to a final agreement to end the discussion smoothly.
Remember, it is not about how much you get to speak, but how well you get to express yourself.
In general, examiners pay attention to candidates' overall language fluency in providing relevant information, persuading others through logical reasons, expressing agreement or disagreement politely and so forth.
Don't forget to refer to the marking scheme of MUET to have a better understanding of how your speaking component is graded.
Tip 2: Correctly Identify The Main Points & Make Connection Of The Audio Text [Listening]
For every question in the listening component, you need to concentrate in order to identify the following elements:
- Main idea (Overall theme and general meaning) of the text
For instance, the listening text could be an interview between a reporter and a medical doctor on the latest vaccine for COVID-19.
- The asked questions and the order of the text (as you listen)
Before the listening text is played, you can briefly glance through the questions and look out for important keywords that require you to listen for specific steps, information, reasons and so forth.
That way, you'll be more receptive to identifying the answers when the recording is played.
- The relationship between the texts and conversations
At times, the answer may not be that straight forwarded. You may need to make sense of the relationship, and make predictions, summaries as well as even conclusions based on what you listen to.
- The overall tone of the speaker
At times, the tone of the speaker will provide some clues to the answers and enable you to have a better understanding of the main purpose of the recording.
It is not impossible to receive a full score for your MUET listening component. Check out these amazing MUET resources to boost your listening skills and speaking skills.
Tip 3: Master Skimming Skills When You're Reading Long Passages [Reading]
Reading for leisure and reading a long passage for test purposes can be very different. The latter requires you to "multitask" effectively in order to pace yourself and answer the given questions correctly.
As you are racing against time, it is important to master skimming skills.
When you read the passage and long text, be sure to look out for the title, main idea, descriptions, examples, and special vocabulary.
As you look through the first 10 questions of this component, you need to base your true, false and not stated statements on the original text and not your opinion.
Be careful when you come across multiple-choice questions that have keywords like except or not so that you can select the correct answer.
With the right studying techniques and insights, you can not only ace the reading component but also tackle the rest of the MUET components comprehensively.
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Tip 4: Provide A Good Structure (Intro, Body, Conclusion) For Your Writing [Writing]
You will be tested on two different writing tasks under the MUET syllabus.
The first task requires you to write a letter or an email (Guided writing).
For instance, you could be given a sample email from a friend abroad who is asking you for Malaysian food recommendations. Your task is to provide a reply according to the given scenario.
On the other hand, for the second question you will be asked to write a longer essay in the following formats:
- Argumentative writing
- Discursive writing
- Problem-solution writing
For these two writing tasks, it's best to follow these steps to have a seamless writing process.
- Step 1: Planning the essay
Identify the category of the essay and the purpose of writing (who does it address? why is it important?)
- Step 2: Generate relevant points and start writing
List down the relevant ideas and organise them in at least three points in addition to an effective introduction and conclusion).
Your introduction ought to consist of a thesis statement and your position before you go into the supporting statements and elaborations. Also, your conclusion needs to summarise your provided ideas or a proper closure to the text.
- Step 3: Proofreading (edits and final checks)
Remember, it is also important to check your spelling, grammar (tenses and sentence structure) and punctuation before you submit your final writing to avoid any loss of marks.
Trust us, your MUET exam experience will not only enhance your language proficiency but also provide many studying and career opportunities in the future.
Tip 5: Practice, Practice, Practice [All Four Components]
As a student, you know you certainly cannot skip this important tip.
After all, all kinds of theoretical knowledge will go in vain if you do not balance it with real-life practical application. The same principle applies here.
You can start by getting a variety of MUET reference books, audio recordings and even Youtube tutorials to have a complete "mock test practice" for all the components during your revision session.
If you find it challenging to do everything on your own, you might want to connect with a MUET tutor who can guide you and offer personalise lessons based on your level and pace.
Finding a MUET tutor near you is no longer a hassle these days when you have a tutoring platform like Superprof!
At Superprof, you can find a MUET tutor that matches your preferences in terms of teaching qualification, years of experience, specialisation, tutoring methodology, physical location and even hourly rates in just a few steps.
As soon as you indicate your desired subject (English) and current location, the system will direct you to a wide selection of tutors that provide tutoring services near this region. From there, you can continue to filter your search by selecting the maximum budget for your hourly rate and learning level.
Superprof is widely liked by many students and tutors due to its flexibility and efficiency. The system pairs students and tutors according to the agreed requirements even before they meet in person/online.
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For students who are looking for affordable and flexible learning options, they can always hire an online MUET tutor from any part of the country.
Important note: Don't be surprised to go through several assessments during your first MUET lesson with your Superprof tutor.
That's because your tutor needs to objectively evaluate your current MUET band and come out with a good teaching plan for you to achieve your desired MUET band. One thing is certain. During the following tutoring lessons, you will only receive direct feedback on your current performance but also suggestions on how to improve better for each component through consistent practice.
We hope you have found these five tips useful as you are preparing for all the tested components of MUET. To succeed, you have to practice what you have just read.
Vision without execution is hallucination - Thomas Edison.
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