TIPS FOR THE MUET READING

EXAMINATION

1. Read (There is a reason why its called a MUET Reading paper)
- Read everything but with a notepad in hand
- Copy down words which you dont understand AND more important, phrases
that you would like to use in your MUET written essay.

2. Read quality materials
- Read articles that are published by reliable sources such as: Readers Digest,
TIME Magazineetc.
- Articles used in the exams are usually from these types of source
- Keep yourself updated on current issues by reading newspapers
(Example: The STAR, New Straits Times, The Edge)

3. Use your time wisely!
- You only have 1.5 hours to answer 45 exam questions
- If you do the math that would mean that you only have 2 minutes per question
- ALWAYS read the question first, and underline the keywords
- Make sure you dont just skim through the text but scan for specific information

4. Know your vocabulary
- There will be 6 texts altogether in the exam paper and the first one always have
non-linear stimuli (Example: graph, chart or diagram)
- You will need the relevant vocabulary knowledge to describe the trend(s)
shown in the given diagram(s)
- This is also a useful practice for report writing as it deals with the same
language functions.

5. DONT ACT SMART!
- For some questions, you will be asked to infer or make intelligent assumptions
based on the given evidences in the texts
- For True/False/Not Stated questions, NEVER use your own opinions to
answer because what is logical to you may not be academically correct
- My tip to you is that you should underline the evidence(s) in the texts
- For True, you must be able to identify proof that shows that the statement is
correct
- You should also underline evidences that prove a statement to be wrong in
order to choose False as your answer
- For Not Stated, you will find that it is almost impossible to underline any
evidence at all. Hence, these are the fundamental differences between the
answer selections True/False/Not Stated

6. Train your brain
- Guessing the meaning of a vocabulary can be quite tricky especially when you
dont have the access to a dictionary or the internet (Google.com) during your
exam. Hence, you need to train your brain to assess the root word
- Focus on the prefix/suffix in order to identify the meaning
- If you think the word is a positive, negative or neutral one reconfirm again by
looking at the context of the texts for clues to support your assumption
- Review the answers and options given by eliminating the answer that is most
unlikely to be correct before making a calculated guess
- For example, in the phrase: the degradation of water quality, the word
degradation comes from the root word grade which means level or standard.
The de suffix has a negative connotation where it means the removal of
something, while tion is a noun that explains the process of something
- Thus, the phrase means the drop of standard/quality of water

7. Assess the writers intentions
- The MUET level comprehension questions do not focus on content alone
- Instead, the questions given require candidates to assess the writers:
(A) Purpose
- Example: to inform, discuss, argue, compare, persuadeetc.
(B) Style of writing
- Example: describing, comparing and contrasting, giving examples, explaining
causes and effects, sequencing eventsetc.
(C) Tone
- Example: supportive, opposing, indifferent, neutral, biasedetc.

8. Assess the articles as a whole
- Sometimes you may be asked to give a suitable title to an article
- Or to summarize a specific paragraph
- Or to come up with a suitable conclusion based on the options given. This
clearly requires critical thinking skills or HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills)
from you

9. Keep practicing!
- Essentially, nothing beats practice and more practice
- Buy good quality reference books such as Longman or Oxford model
tests/actual exam workbooks and try doing each reading paper 3 times
- First attempt: do it as if youre sitting for the real exam. Do not refer to any
workbooks or dictionaries
- Second attempt: allow yourself to refer to books, and discuss with your friends if
you need to (and if you are doing it as a group) before marking both attempts
- Note: Your 2
nd
attempt should score better than your first.
- Third attempt: Try doing the same set of exam paper again after 2-3 months to
see if you are able to retain the knowledge of vocabulary and concepts which
you have learned before.

10. Grade yourself
- Heres a useful guide for you to follow when you attempt the exam questions so
that you can know where you stand
- You will need to score:
(A) 21/45 Band 3
(B) 27/45 Band 4
(C) 33/45 Band 5
(D) 39/45 Band 6
- Reading is the MOST important MUET paper as it carries 40% or 120/300
marks