1. Malaysian University
English Test
(MUET)

2. Speaking
Listening
MUET
Reading
Writing

3. Paper 1: Listening
Candidates will be required to listen to recorded texts twice and answer questions on them.
There is a total of 20 questions consisting of:
information transfer
short-answer questions
3-option multiple-choice questions
4-option multiple-choice questions

4. Paper 2: Speaking Candidates will be required to perform two tasks:
Individual Presentation
-Candidates will be given 2
minutes to prepare for the
given task and 2 minutes to
present.
-Candidates will also listen to the
other candidates while they are
making their presentations and
take down notes for the group
interaction.
Group Interaction (4 candidates)
-Candidates will be given 2 minutes
to prepare points to support or
oppose the other candidates’
views.
-After listening to everyone in the
group, candidates will try to come
to a conclusion.
-The group will be
given 10 minutes for the group
interaction.

5. Paper 3: Reading This paper comprises 45 multiple-choice questions based on passages from texts which may be taken from:
- journals
newspapers
magazines
academic
electronic sources.
Questions are in the form of 3-option multiple-choice and 4-option multiple-choice questions.

6. Paper 4: Writing This paper comprises two writing tasks:
a) transferring information from a non-linear source to a
linear text and
b) a piece of extended writing.
The stimulus may take the form of linear and/or non-linear texts.

7. STRUCTURE OF THE MUET Paper Code Component Time (minutes)
Weighting (%)
Maximum
Score
800/1
Listening 30 15 45
800/2
Speaking
800/3
Reading
Comprehension 90 40
120
800/4
Writing
Total
100
300

8. Six-Band Grading System
Aggregated
Score
Band
User
Communicative
Ability
Understanding
Task Performance 6
Highly proficient user
Very good command of the language
High level of understanding of the language
Functions extremely well in the language 5
Proficient user
Good command of the language
Good level of understanding of the language
Functions well in the language 4
Satisfactory user
Satisfactory command of the language
Satisfactory level of understanding of the language
Functions reasonably well in the language 3
Modest user
Fair command of the language
Able to understand but with some misinterpretation
Able to function but with some effort 2
Limited user
Limited command of the language
Limited understanding of the language
Limited ability to function in the language
Below
100 1
Very limited user
Poor command of the language
Poor understanding of the language
Hardly able to function in the language

9. Tips for Listening Listen attentively! Focus!
You can write down notes – use short forms.
MUST AVOID grammatical, sentence structure and spelling errors.

10. Tips for Speaking Ask the examiner if you don’t understand the terms.
Divide your paper into 4 sections; A B C D.
Write your points in point form to avoid reading.
Alert with the time.
Elaborate at least 3 points.

11. Speak according to this format:
1. Greetings (Good morning to the examiners and my
fellow candidates).
2. Repeat situation (Today we are talking about...etc.)
3. Main Point (The point I would like to discuss is...
etc.)
4. 1st point (Firstly,.. , This is because,.., Moreover,...,
For example,.. , Therefore,... )
5. 2nd point (Secondly,... , This means that,... ,
Furthermore,... , For instance,... , Thus,...)
6. 3rd point (Finally,... , This is due to the fact that... ,
In addition, Take for example..., Hence,... )
7. Conclusion (In a nutshell, etc.)

12. Use your hands to gesture and explain your points.
Marks will be awarded for 3 categories:
1. Task fulfillment - Did you understand the
question and give a relevant and mature
response?
2. Communicative ability - Did you have good
eye-contact, body posture, gestures,
cooperation?
3. Language - Do you have good command of
the language with extended vocabulary?

13. Do not dominate the discussion or be too passive.
Be cooperative – agree or disagree or provide
information when asked.
Respect the opinions of others.

15. LIST OF USEFUL LANGUAGE TASK A:
1. Good morning to everyone.
2. Good morning to the examiner and all
my fellow candidates.
3. A very good morning I wish to the
examiner and fellow candidates.
4. Today we are talking about…
5. The situation I have been given is…
6. According to the situation…
7. Based on the situation given
8. I have 3 reasons to justify my point.
9. First and foremost,…
11. Firstly,…
12. Secondly,…
13. My second point is…
14. Another reason is…
15. Finally,…
16. Lastly,…
17. Last but not least,…
18. Moreover,…
19. In addition,…
20. Furthermore,…
21. Therefore,…
22. Hence,…
23. Thus,…
24. However,…
25. Other than that,…
26. On the other hand,…
27. Conversely,…
28. Consequently,…
29. Subsequently,…
30. In contrast,…
31. For example,…
32. For instance,…
33. Take for example,…
34. … and so on.
35. … and many more.
36. … and others.
37. In conclusion,…
38. As a conclusion,…
39. In short,…
40. In a nutshell,…

16. TASK B: 17. Excuse me, may I interrupt please.
1. Let’s kickstart this discussion by
starting with..
2. Allow me to begin…
3. May I begin by saying…
4. I agree with you. (NOT:I’M agree)
5. That’s a great idea!
6. I see your point!
7. That’s an interesting perspective.
8. I like your suggestion.
9. Indeed!
10. I concur with your point of view.
11. I’m sorry but I disagree.
12. I’m afraid I have to disagree with your
idea.
13. I don’t see eye to eye with you.
14. That’s not a good idea/suggestion.
15. I beg to differ.
16. I’m sorry for interrupting but…
17. Excuse me, may I interrupt please.
18. Pardon me for interrupting but..
19. I’d like to add something please.
20. May I say something?
21. Could you please hear me out?
22. So what do you think, Candidate X?
23. How about your point of view?
24. Candidate X, what is your opinion?
25. Does anyone agree with me?
26. Why don’t we consider the other points?
27. I don’t understand, can you please repeat?
28. I’m sorry I don’t understand, can you please elaborate again?
29. In conclusion, ALL OF US agree that…
30. To conclude, MOST OF US agree that…
31. In a nutshell, SOME OF US agree that… while the rest prefer…
32. As time is running out, it seems that ALL OF US can’t seem to agree on a single point so…
33. That’s the end of this discussion, thank you.

17. Surfing the internet has many advantages. However, in recent
years, there has been a growing concern about the negative
effects of the internet on young people. At a forum organised
by your college, you have been asked to speak on one method
of decreasing the negative effects.
In your opinion, the best method of decreasing the negative
effects of the use of the internet is:
Candidate A: More parental control
Candidate B: stricter laws on cybercafes
Candidate C: increased government control over the Internet
Candidate D: guidance on Internet surfing provided by schools
Elaborate on your point.

18. Tips for Reading Alert with the time! Underline important points.
Not sure with the answer? Skip the question, attend it later.
Don’t know the meaning of the words? – Try to guess them from the context.
Start increasing your vocabulary NOW! Read newspaper, magazine and any other material.