Components, Scoring and Grading

There are four components in MUET:
1. Listening (800/1)
2. Speaking (800/2)
3. Reading Comprehension (800/3)
4. Writing (800/4).



The maximum scores for each component is:
i.     45 for Listening and Speaking,
ii.  120 for Reading Comprehension
iii.   90 for Writing

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.

What is MUET?

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.


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 as well as National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University. Most of those who do consider MUET in admission applications allocate little weight to it. Most universities, including many who offer "twinning" courses with local private colleges, outside these two countries do not consider MUET as an acceptable test for English language proficiency, preferring instead, the IELTS.


Candidates usually have to register via their institution, private candidates with their State Education Department, with a registration fee of RM60. Although Malaysian government has decided to abolish government examination fees from 2007 onwards, MUET will remain as a paid test.