Malaysian University English Test

The Malaysian University English Test (commonly abbreviated as MUET) is a test of English language proficiency, largely used for university admissions in Malaysia. The test is set and run by the Malaysian Examinations Council. MUET is largely recognised in Malaysia and Singapore, with limited recognition in other countries worldwide.

MUET is a prerequisite for admissions into all public universities and colleges in Malaysia. Besides that, public servants also take MUET as an English qualification and for promotion opportunities.

From 2012 onwards, MUET is administered three times a year, in March, July and November.[1] Besides that, an alternative test, MUET on Demand, is also held in nearly every month for candidates who are urgent to get the MUET results. On average, 85,000 candidates sit for the MUET each time.

From 2021, MUET has undergone a major change in format.[2]

Components, Scoring and Grading

There are four components in MUET:[1]

  • Listening (800/1)
  • Speaking (800/2)
  • Reading (800/3)
  • Writing (800/4)

Starting from MUET 2021, the maximum scores for each component are 90, makes an aggregated score of 360. The scores are graded in nine bands, including half bands, with Band 5+ being the highest while Band 1.0 the lowest.[2]

Description of aggregated scores starting from MUET 2021
Aggregated score Band CEFR User The CEFR Global Scale: Common Reference Levels
331 - 360 5+ C1+ Proficient Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
294 - 330 5.0 C1
258 - 293 4.5 B2 Independent Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
211 - 257 4.0
164 - 210 3.5 B1 Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar, or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
123 - 163 3.0
82 - 122 2.5 A2 Basic Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
36 - 81 2.0
1 - 35 1.0

Prior to MUET 2020, the maximum scores for each component is 45 for Listening and Speaking, 120 for Reading Comprehension and 90 for Writing, with an aggregated score of 300. The scores are then graded in six bands, with Band 6 being the highest while Band 1 the lowest.[1]

Description of aggregated scores prior to MUET 2020
Aggregated score Band User Communicative ability Comprehension Task performance
260 - 300 6 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


University Entry English Requirement
QS Ranking 2024[3] University MUET Band 3 Band 4 Band 5 Band 6
65 University Malaya(UM) Equals to IELTS 4.5[4] 6.0[5] - -
137 Universiti Sains Malaysia(USM)[6] 4.0 - - -
158 University of Putra Malaysia(UPM)[7] - 6.0 - -
159 National University of Malaysia(UKM)[8] 4.0-4.5 5.0-6.0
6.5(MUET 4.5)		 7.0-7.5
8.0(MUET 5.5)		 8.5-9.0
188 University of Technology Malaysia(UTM)[9] - 5.5 - -
300 UCSI University(UCSI) 5.0[10]
5.0(MUET 3.5)[11]		 6.0[12] - -
555 Universiti Teknologi MARA(UiTM)[13] 5.0 6.0 - -
621 Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman(APU)[14] 4.0-4.5
5.0(MUET 3.5)		 5.5-6.0
6.5(MUET 4.5)		 - -
801 Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman(UTAR)[15] 5.5 6.0 - -
1001 Universiti Malaysia Sarawak(UniMAS)[16] 4.0-4.5
5.0(MUET 3.5)		 5.5-6.0
6.5(MUET 4.5)		 - -

Locations and test dates

The MUET test centres are largely in public secondary schools that offer Form Six, matriculation colleges, certain universities, as well as certain private and semi-private colleges.

Listening, Reading and Writing components are usually tested on the same day, normally the second or the fourth Saturday of the month. The Speaking component is held on separate days, usually before the written tests.

See also

References
  1. Regulations, Test Specifications, Test Format and Sample Questions (PDF). Malaysia: Malaysian Examinations Council.
  2. Regulations and Test Specifications (PDF). Malaysian Examinations Council. 2019. ISBN 9789832321699.
  3. QS World University Rankings 2024: Top global universitiesTop Universities，2024
  4. Entry Requirement Undergraduate Handbook 2023/2024 (Malaysians)Pg.2Universiti Malaya，2023
  5. Entry Requirement Undergraduate Handbook 2023/2024 (Malaysians)Pg.48Universiti Malaya，2023
  6. UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA USM-KLE International Medical Programme Academic Session 2021/2022 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ADMISSIONUSM, 2021
  7. UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA USM-KLE ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTUPM, 2023
  8. PENSETARAAN MUET - IELTS – TOEFL – CEFRUKM, 2021
  9. English Language RequirementsUTM, 2024
  10. BACHELOR OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (HONOURS)UCSI, 2023
  11. BACHELOR OF COMPUTER ENGINEERING (ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE) WITH HONOURSUCSI, 2023
  12. DOCTOR OF MEDICINE (MD)UCSI, 2023
  13. english-requimentUiTM, 2020
  14. ENGLISH REQUIREMENTSAPU, 2023
  15. Entry Qualifications & English Language RequirementsUTAR, 2023
  16. English Courses Structure for 2022/2023 intake onwardsUniMAS, 2022
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