OH...MUET

Do you know why I'm write this entry? It is because tomorrow 13 November 2010 the candidates who registered for MUET will face with that. So, my wish to all my friends or other students who will seat for that test "May all the luck be with you and wish you all the very best and great achievement in that exam".

Before that, is there any people who did not know what actually MUET stand for? Maybe they already heard but never get much information on that.

Malaysian University English Test (MUET) is a test of English language proficiency, largely for university admissions. The test is set and run by the Malaysian Examinations Council (which also runs the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia examination) and largely recognized only in Malaysia and Singapore.

There are four components in MUET: Listening(800/1)-(45 scores), Speaking(800/2)-(45 scores) ; Reading(800/3)-(120 scores); Writing(800/4)-(90 scores).

The maximum scores for each component is 45 for Listening and Speaking, 120 for Reading Comprehension and 90 for Writing, with an aggregate score of 300. The scores are then graded in 6 bands, with Band 6 the highest and Band 1 the lowest.

Band 6- Very good user (Aggregated score:260-300) Very good command of the language. Highly expressive, fluent, accurate and appropriate language: hardly any inaccuracies. Very good understanding of language and contexts. Functions extremely well in the language.

Band 5- Good user (Aggregated score:220-259) Good command of the language. Expressive, fluent, accurate and appropriate language but with minor inaccuracies. Good understanding of language and contexts. Functions well in the language.

Band 4- Competent user (Aggregated score:180-219) Satisfactory command of the language. Satisfactory expressive and fluent,appropriate language but with occasional inaccuracies. Satisfactory understanding of language and contexts. Functions satisfactorily in the language.

Band 3- Modest user (Aggregated score:140-179) Modest command of the language. Modestly expressive and fluent,appropriate language but with noticeable inaccuracies. Modest understanding of language and contexts. Able to function modestly in the language.

Band 2- Limited user (Aggregated score:101-139) Limited command of the language. Lacks expressiveness, fluency and appropriacy: inaccurate use of the language resulting in breakdown in communication. Limited understanding of language and contexts. Limited ability to function in the language.

Band 1- Extremely limited user (Below 100) Poor command of the language. Unable to use language to express ideas: inaccurate use of the language resulting in frequent breakdowns in communication. Little or poor understanding of language and contexts. Hardly able to function in the language.

Most candidates who sit for MUET do so to apply for admissions in public universities and colleges. MUET is largely optional, if considered at all, in applying for admissions in other universities and colleges in Malaysia.

Many local universities now require students to only have sat for the MUET in order to graduate, without taking into account the band achieved. But, if there have university which taking into account the band achieved to graduate. What do you think about that? Is it really good to have that condition in all university?

Of course, it's really good to help students in their future. Besides that, it also give a credit to them when they come into job's interview. Mostly, nowadays English is really important in our daily life as conjunction with the development of our country.

But what happen to the students who already finish the study but cannot be graduate because of band achieved? Is it fair to them who sacrifice came to class, made a presentation and did all the assignment very well for four year and suddenly cannot be graduate. What do you will feel if this situation happen to you?