MUET/RSQ800

MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITY ENGLISH TEST

(MUET)

REGULATIONS, TEST SPECIFICATIONS, TEST FORMAT AND SAMPLE QUESTIONS

The information in this booklet applies to the end-2008 MUET and thereafter until further notice.

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MAJLIS PEPERIKSAAN MALAYSIA
(MALAYSIAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL)

CHIEF EXECUTIVE MALAYSIAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL BANGUNAN MPM, PERSIARAN 1 BANDAR BARU SELAYANG 68100 BATU CAVES SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN MALAYSIA

Telephone: 03-6136 9663 Facsimile: 03-6136 1488 Email: ceo@mpm.edu.my Website: www.mpm.edu.my

© Malaysian Examinations Council 2006

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without prior permission in writing to the Chief Executive, Malaysian Examinations Council.

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NATIONAL EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY Education in Malaysia is an on-going effort towards further developing the potential of individuals in a holistic and integrated manner, so as to produce individuals who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced and harmonious, based on a belief in and devotion to God. Such effort is designed to produce Malaysian citizens who are knowledgeable and competent, who possess high moral standards, and who are responsible and capable of achieving a high level of personal wellbeing as well as being able to contribute to the betterment of the family, the society and the nation at large.

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FOREWORD

The Malaysian Examinations Council, which was established under Act 225, Malaysian Examinations Council Act 1980, is a statutory body under the Ministry of Education Malaysia. The Malaysian Examinations Council is managed by a board of governors comprising vice-chancellors of local universities established under Section 6 of the University and University Colleges Act 1971 and under Section 1A of the University of Technology MARA Act 1976, the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Education, the Director General of Education, the Director of Examinations of the Malaysian Examinations Syndicate, the Chief Executive of the Malaysian Examinations Council, and five other members appointed by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The Chairman of the Council is also appointed by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong from amongst the vicechancellors of local universities. The Malaysian Examinations Council is responsible for the conduct of the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) (Malaysia Higher School Certificate) examination effective since the 1982 examination. This examination replaced the Higher School Certificate examination conducted by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate in collaboration with Universiti Malaya. With effect from 1999, the Malaysian Examinations Council is also responsible for the management of the Malaysian University English Test (MUET). MUET is conducted twice a year and is compulsory for students who intend to pursue first degree studies in local public universities. This is the first time that the MUET syllabus is being revised since its inception in 1999. It is to ensure that MUET maintains its relevancy in testing candidates’ English language proficiency. There are minor changes in the test specifications which detail the aspects according to the four components of MUET: listening, speaking, reading and writing. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the MUET Syllabus Committee chaired by Prof Datin Dr Zubaida S A Alsree from Universiti Teknologi MARA. The committee members are Prof Dr Anie Attan, Dr Harriet Wong, Prof Dr Chan Swee Heng, Dr Mohd Sallehudin bin Abd Aziz, Prof Dr Zuraidah Md Don, Prof Madya Khairi Izwan Abdullah, Prof Madya Dr Fatimah Hashim, Dr Tengku Sepora Tengku Mahadi, Ms Sivagnana Chelvi, Mr Martin Bates, Mdm Vasantha Mallar Menon, Mdm Gita Lam Yean Ling and Mdm Esther Evelyn Jevarajah. I also wish to thank all the schools that have allowed their students to participate as the sample for the verification and validation purposes of the test instruments. Finally, it is hoped that MUET shall have the desired positive effects on the perceptions of students and enthusiasm of teachers with regard to the teaching and learning of English.

OMAR BIN ABU BAKAR Chief Executive Malaysian Examinations Council

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CONTENTS

Page Introduction General Regulations Test Specifications Test Format References 6 6 – 11 12 – 18 19 20

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INTRODUCTION In the Malaysian education system, English has always played an important role. The Malaysian University English Test (MUET) serves to give continued emphasis on this role. The objective of MUET is to measure the English language proficiency of pre-university students for entry into tertiary education. MUET comprises all the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. It measures and reports candidates’ level of proficiency based upon an aggregated score range of zero to 300. The scores correlate with a banding system ranging from Band 1 to Band 6. A results slip is issued to every candidate who completes all four components of the test. This booklet contains test specifications which detail aspects of each component of MUET. The test specifications list the skills relevant to help equip students with the level of proficiency in English and critical thinking skills for more effective academic study at tertiary level. They may also be used as a valuable guide to MUET for independent learners.

GENERAL REGULATIONS 1 Test Dates 1.1 1.2 MUET is administered twice a year, i.e. at mid-year and year-end. The tests for Listening, Reading and Writing are administered on a specific day while the tests for Speaking are administered over a period of two weeks. Candidates will be informed of their specific test dates through the respective State Education Departments.

1.3

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Test Centres Test centres for candidates will be determined by the respective State Education Departments based on candidates’ choice of town in which they wish to take the test.

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Registration 3.1 Candidates from public and private schools/institutions will register for MUET through their respective schools/institutions. Private individual candidates will register for MUET at the Education Department of the state in which the candidates wish to sit for the test.

3.2

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3.3

Dates for registration will be announced by the Malaysian Examinations Council in local newspapers in January and May. It is the responsibility of candidates to ensure that their particulars are entered correctly on the registration form. The registration forms and relevant fees payable in money order must be submitted to the respective State Education Departments. Money orders are to be made payable to Ketua Eksekutif Majlis Peperiksaan Malaysia. Candidates can check their status of registration through the Malaysian Examinations Council website (www.mpm.edu.my) and via SMS.

3.4

3.5

3.6

3.7

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Test Fees The test fee is RM60.00 consisting of the registration fee of RM20.00 and a subject fee of RM40.00.

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Change of Test Centres 5.1 Candidates who wish to change their test centre must apply through their respective State Education Departments not later than two months before the test date. An administrative fee of RM25.00 will be levied for this purpose.

5.2 6

Withdrawal from Test Fees of candidates who withdraw from the test will not be refunded. However, a refund of RM40.00 will be given in the following cases: (a) a candidate suffering from a long-term illness (A copy of the medical certificate from a Government Medical Officer must be forwarded.) (b) a candidate who has passed away 7

(A copy of the death certificate must be forwarded by the next of kin or a representative.) 7 Deferment of Test 7.1 Candidates who wish to defer the test must write in to seek permission from the Malaysian Examinations Council stating reasons supported with evidence before the date of the test. Approval to defer the test is at the discretion of the Malaysian Examinations Council.

7.2

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Contagious Diseases Candidates who suffer from contagious diseases are normally not permitted to sit for the test. If allowed, the candidate will be seated in a separate room.

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Arrangements for Specific Needs 9.1 Applications for specific arrangements are allowed for (a) candidates adversely affected by illness or other misfortunes, (b) candidates with special needs. 9.2 Applications must be made on special forms provided by the Malaysian Examinations Council. The Malaysian Examinations Council will not consider cases which are not reported prior to the test.

9.3

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Materials provided by Candidates 10.1 Candidates are required to write their answers using a pen or ball-point pen in black or blue ink, except for multiple-choice tests in which only BB or 2B pencils are to be used. 10.2 Candidates must bring their own pencils, erasers and other equipment. 8

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MUET Results 11.1 The MUET results are presented in a results slip which is issued through the State Education Department. 11.2 Candidates from public and private schools/institutions will collect their results from their respective schools/ institutions. 11.3 Private individual candidates will receive their results from the Malaysian Examinations Council by post. 11.4 Candidates are given 12 months to collect their results after the date of release. After this period, the school, institution or State Education Department will return the unclaimed results slips to the Malaysian Examinations Council. Candidates who wish to claim their results slip after that period may request it directly from the Malaysian Examinations Council at a fee of RM20.00. 11.5 Candidates who have lost their results slip may apply for a certified statement of results. The application must be accompanied with information concerning the candidate, i.e. full name and identity card number, session and year of the test, examination centre and index number. A fee of RM20.00 will be levied for the first application, RM30.00 for the second application and RM50.00 for the third application for a certified statement of results. 11.6 Results will also be available on the Malaysian Examinations Council website (www.mpm.edu.my) and via SMS.

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Disqualification of Results and Expulsion of Candidates 12.1 If the Malaysian Examinations Council is satisfied that a candidate has been involved in any breach of regulation or caution issued for this test or in any irregularity, misconduct or dishonesty whatsoever in connection with the test or any of the papers, the Council may at its sole discretion, bar the candidate from the test and refuse his further admission thereto, cancel his result thereof, and refuse his entry as a candidate in subsequent tests. 12.2 If the Malaysian Examinations Council is satisfied that breaches of regulation or caution or any irregularity, misconduct or dishonesty whatsoever in connection with the test have been widespread at any centre, or that the circumstances in which the test is held at any centre are unsatisfactory, the Council may at its sole discretion, cancel the entire test at that centre or the results thereof, in relation to all the candidates at that centre. 9

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Appeal of Test Results No appeals of test results will be entertained.

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Answer Scripts Answer scripts of candidates remain the property of the Malaysian Examinations Council.

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Conditions of Test Registration 15.1 MUET is open to candidates who have sat for any one of the following: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (Vocational) (SPMV) Malaysia Certificate of Education Federation of Malaya Certificate of Education Cambridge School Certificate A 10-year education that is equivalent to O Level

15.2 Candidates who have sat for other than those listed in 15.1 above must obtain prior permission from the Malaysian Examinations Council to take MUET. 16 Test Component MUET comprises four components: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. The duration and weighting of each component are as follows:

Paper Code 800/1 800/2 800/3 800/4

Paper Listening Speaking Reading Writing

Duration 30 minutes 30 minutes 90 minutes 90 minutes 10

Weighting 15% 15% 40% 30%

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Test Scores Test scores are reported as follows:
Maximum Score 45 45 120 90 300

Test Component LISTENING SPEAKING READING WRITING AGGREGATED SCORE Band Achieved

Obtained Score

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Description of Aggregated Scores

AGGREGATED SCORE

BAND

USER

COMMUNICATIVE ABILITY

COMPREHENSION

TASK PERFORMANCE

260 – 300

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Highly proficient user

Very fluent; highly appropriate use of language; hardly any grammatical error

Very good understanding of language and context

Very high ability to function in the language

220 – 259

5

Proficient user

Fluent; appropriate use of language; few grammatical errors

Good understanding of language and context

High ability to function in the language

180 – 219

4

Satisfactory user

Generally fluent; generally appropriate use of language; some grammatical errors

Satisfactory understanding of language and context

Satisfactory ability to function in the language

140 – 179

3

Modest user

Fairly fluent; fairly appropriate use of language; many grammatical errors

Fair understanding of language and context

Fair ability to function in the language

100 – 139

2

Limited user

Not fluent; inappropriate use of language; very frequent grammatical errors

Limited understanding of language and context

Limited ability to function in the language

Below 100

1

Very limited user

Hardly able to use the language

Very limited understanding of language and context

Very limited ability to function in the language

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MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITY ENGLISH TEST TEST SPECIFICATIONS Aim The Malaysian University English Test (MUET) seeks to measure the English language proficiency of candidates planning to pursue tertiary education at Malaysian universities. Implementation in Schools The MUET programme should involve 240 hours of teaching time spanning three school terms. Instruction should be carried out for 8 periods per week at 40 minutes per period. Teachers’ Guide to MUET Teachers’ Guide to MUET complements the Test Specifications of the MUET. It provides a framework for preparing candidates for MUET. Assessment Objectives MUET tests the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Component 1 Listening Test Specifications

Candidates are assessed on their ability to comprehend various types of oral text of varying length and level of complexity (content and language).
Assessment will cover the following: (i) knowledge • recalling information • recognising main ideas • recognising supporting details

Component

Test Specifications

(ii) comprehension • deriving meaning of words, phrases, sentences from context • paraphrasing (iii) application • predicting outcomes
• applying a concept to a new situation

(iv) analysis • understanding language functions • distinguishing the relevant from the irrelevant • distinguishing fact from opinion • drawing inferences • identifying roles and relationships 12

(v)synthesis • following the development of a point or an argument
• summarising information (vi) evaluation • appraising information • making judgements • drawing conclusions • recognising and interpreting speakers’ views, attitudes or intentions Possible genres: Lecture, briefing, talk, discussion, interview, telephone conversation, announcement, instructions, advertisement, news, meeting, documentary

Component 2 Speaking

Test Specifications Candidates are assessed on their ability to make individual presentations and to take part in group discussions on a wide range of contemporary issues. Assessment will cover the following: (i) accuracy • using grammatically correct language • using correct pronunciation, stress and intonation (ii) fluency • speaking with confidence and fluency

(iii) appropriacy
• • • • using language appropriate for the intended purpose and audience using varied vocabulary and expressions using varied sentence structures observing conventions appropriate to a specific situation

(iv) coherence and cohesion • developing and organising ideas • using appropriate markers and linking devices • using anaphora appropriately together with other cohesive devices (v) use of language functions • defining, describing, explaining • comparing and contrasting • classifying • giving reasons • giving opinions

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Component •

Test Specifications expressing relationships

•
• • • • • • •

making suggestions and recommendations expressing agreement and disagreement seeking clarification asking for and giving information persuading drawing conclusions stating and justifying points of view presenting an argument

(vi) managing a discussion • initiating • turn-taking • interrupting • prompting • negotiating • closing (vii) task fulfilment • presenting relevant ideas • providing adequate content • showing a mature treatment of topic Possible issues: Socio-cultural, economic, science and technology, sports, environment, education, health

Component 3 Reading

Test Specifications Candidates are assessed on their ability to comprehend various types of text of varying length and level of complexity (content and language). Assessment will cover the following: (i) comprehension • skimming and scanning • extracting specific information

• • •
• •

identifying main ideas identifying supporting details deriving the meaning of words, phrases, sentences from the context understanding linear and non-linear texts understanding relationships − within a sentence − between sentences recognising a paraphrase

•

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(ii) application • predicting outcomes • applying a concept to a new situation (iii) analysis • understanding language functions • interpreting linear and non-linear texts

• •
•

distinguishing the relevant from the irrelevant distinguishing fact from opinion

making inferences

Component

Test Specifications

(iv) synthesis • relating ideas and concepts − within a paragraph − between paragraphs
• • following the development of a point or an argument summarising information

(v) evaluation • appraising information • making judgements • drawing conclusions • recognising and interpreting writers’ views, attitudes or intentions Possible genres: Articles from journals, newspapers and magazines, academic texts, electronic texts

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Component

Test Specifications Candidates are assessed on their ability to write various types of text covering a range of rhetorical styles. Assessment will cover the following: (i) accuracy • using correct spelling and mechanics • using correct grammar • using correct sentence structures

4 Writing

(ii) appropriacy
• • • • using varied vocabulary and expressions using clear varied sentences using language appropriate for the intended purpose and audience observing conventions appropriate to a specific situation or text type

(iii) coherence and cohesion • developing and organising ideas • using appropriate markers and linking devices • using anaphora appropriately together with other cohesive devices (iv) use of language functions • defining, describing, explaining • comparing and contrasting • classifying • giving reasons • giving opinions • expressing relationships

•

making suggestions and recommendations

Component • • • • • •

Test Specifications expressing agreement and disagreement persuading interpreting information from non-linear texts drawing conclusions stating and justifying points of view presenting an argument

(v) task fulfilment • presenting relevant ideas • providing adequate content • showing a mature treatment of topic Possible genres: Report, article, letter, essay

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Paper 1: Listening (800/1)
No 1 2 3 4 Item Weighting Duration Number of texts Basic criteria for text selection Possible genres 15% 30 minutes 5 Length, level of complexity (content and language), text type Lecture, briefing, talk, discussion, interview, telephone conversation, announcement, instructions, advertisement, news, meeting, documentary 20 (i) Information transfer (ii) Short-answer questions (iii) 3-option multiple-choice questions (iv) 4-option multiple-choice questions 8 Skills tested As in the test specifications Description

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6 7

Number of questions Possible question types

Paper 2: Speaking (800/2)
No 1 2 3 4 5 Weighting Duration Number of tasks Topic Task format Item 15% 30 minutes 2 Contemporary issues Task A: Individual presentation Preparation : 2 minutes Presentation : 2 minutes Group interaction (4 candidates to a group) Preparation : 2 minutes Discussion : 10 minutes Description

Task B:

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Skills tested

As in the test specifications

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Paper 3: Reading (800/3)
No 1 2 3 4 Item Weighting Duration Number of texts Basic criteria for text selection 40% 90 minutes 6 (at least one text with graphics) Length (200 – 700 words), level of complexity (content and language), text type Articles from journals, newspapers and magazines, academic texts, electronic texts Analytical, descriptive, persuasive, argumentative, narrative 45 (i) 3-option multiple-choice questions (ii) 4-option multiple-choice questions 9 Skills tested As in the test specifications Description

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Possible genres

6 7 8

Rhetorical style Number of questions Possible question-type

Paper 4: Writing (800/4)
No 1 2 3 4 5 6 Weighting Duration Number of questions Possible genres Rhetorical style Task Item 30% 90 minutes 2 Report, article, letter, essay Analytical, descriptive, persuasive, argumentative Question 1: Interpretation of information based on specific stimuli provided (no less than 150 words) Question 2: Extended writing based on a given topic (no less than 350 words) 7 Skills tested As in the test specifications Description

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TEST FORMAT

MUET comprises four papers. Candidates are required to sit for all the four papers. Details of the four components are as follows.

Paper 1: Listening (30 minutes) 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, 3option multiple-choice questions and 4-option multiple-choice questions.

Paper 2: Speaking (30 minutes) Candidates will be required to perform two tasks: individual presentation and group interaction. For the 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. For the group interaction (4 to a group), 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 consensus. The group will be given 10 minutes for the group interaction. Paper 3: Reading (90 minutes) This paper comprises 45 multiple-choice questions based on passages from texts which may be taken from journals, newspapers, magazines, and academic and electronic sources. Questions are in the form of 3-option multiple-choice and 4-option multiple-choice questions.

Paper 4: Writing (90 minutes) This paper comprises two writing tasks: transferring information from a non-linear source to a linear text and a piece of extended writing. The stimulus may take the form of linear and/or nonlinear texts.

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REFERENCES 1. Blackwell, A. and Naber, T., 2006. Open Forum Academic Listening and Speaking. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Coffin, C., Curry, M.J. and Goodman, S., 2003. Teaching academic writing: A toolkit for higher education. London: Routledge. Cox, K, and Hill, D., 2004. EAP Now! English for Academic Purposes. Longman. Cutting, J (ed.), 2000. The grammar of spoken English and EAP teaching. Sunderland: University of Sunderland Press. Harmer, Jeremy, 2006. How to Teach Writing. New York: Longman. Kunnan, A. (Ed.), 2000. Fairness and validation in language assessment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Morais, Elaine, 2000. Reading, Thinking and Writing in an ESL Context: Explorations of the mind. Commercial Press Sdn. Bhd. Malaysia. Oshima, A. and Houge, A., 2006. Writing Academic English. 4th Edition. New Jersey: Longman. Rost, M., 2002. Teaching and researching listening. London: Longman.

2.

3. 4.

5. 6.

7.

8. 9.

10. S. Lebauer, Roni, 2000. Learn to Listen, Listen to Learn. Academic Listening and Note-Taking. 2nd Edition. New York: Longman. 11. Savage, A. and Mayer, P., 2006. Effective Academic Writing. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 12. Silberstein, Sandra, 2006. Techniques and Resources in Teaching Reading. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 13. Swan, M.W. & Walter, C., 1997. How English Works: A Grammar Practice Book. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 14. Thornbury, Scott, 2005. How to Teach Speaking. England: Pearson Education Limited. 15. Young, R. & He, A. (Eds.), 1998. Talking and testing: Discourse approaches to the assessment of oral proficiency. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. 16. Yule, G., 1998. Explaining English Grammar. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

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