How do you think about MUET?

Standard? ~ need only Band 2 to enter into University, is it a wise policy?

Is there any better system that should replace MUET?

band 1 is enough la...

MUET is the most stupid paper...

concentrate on ur STPM , nobody will care of ur MUET Band

I thought minimum was band 3?

anyways yeah, noone's gonna give u a scholarship for a band 6. For self satisfaction and bragging rights mostly.

Aim for atleast a band 3.

I'm currently doing my foundation studies, but apparently I have to do my MUET this year before I move on to my degree next year. I wonder what it's like.

Yezz minimum band is 3 ..

and i totally agree on ur thought of MUET

They should have asked us to take Cambridge paper and hire teachers to teach us at school , gives a Far Better ability and HIghly competitive edge..i wonder why the Education ministry does'nt think of such things..

MUET is quite a good english paper, it is not easy to score a band 6.

If you apply for competitive courses from Singaporean Universities, they usually only accept students with band 5 or 6.

So no, i do not think it is a waste of time. Try your best to score well in MUET


PS: The government has limited funds to improve their public school teacher's English. How would you expect them to import teachers from Overseas to teach Cambridge level English.

This post has been edited by pinknotebook: May 3 2009, 09:30 PM

They do not have to import teachers from overseas. We have MANY well versed qualified english teachers in our own country.

Just that many of them teach in the private sector(eg. private colleges) simply because they pay well. Which leaves our public schools with most of the (sorry to say) reject grade english teachers.

What can the government do in order to offer a higher and more recognized english syllabus? They need to recognize the importance of students in public school learning GOOD english and increase recruitment and pay of english teachers, period.

I think MUET can be replaced by a better test. But they've got a new format already so the standard should be slightly higher than before.

It won't be anywhere near a matter of life and death if you get Band 1. I saw some requirements for public universities and it says require Band 1 only. I personally got a 6 and so far it hasn't influenced me in any way significant.

I think minimum Band 4 is necessary.

muet is a heavily structured and prescribed exam, which is the biggest fault, and which is why it is difficult for those with natural good english to get band 6......

you have to FOLLOW the prescribed format tightly to score, as the marking is closely structured, to minimise marker variability........they had to do that as there are not many good quality markers......so minimise the marker variability by fixing the format of answering, and the format of marking.......

any variation out of the fixed format is marked downed......that is why those who are naturally good in english will tend to write/answer based of their natural english, which can be (and is usually is) different from the required format........

it is best suited for those who have reasonable english, learnt as a 2nd language, and heavily coached in schools on the format......these people are those who score band 6.........

many natural english users who scored 8 or 8.5 in ielts end up with band 5 due to this.......

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Added on May 3, 2009, 11:46 pmYou do not need muet to 'enter' uni.......just to graduate......as required by lan........

and most unis need only record that you have sat for it........the grade is irrelevant........you can graduate with band 1.........

so it is a bit of a farce really......

This post has been edited by limeuu: May 3 2009, 11:46 PM

Ya,Muet they dun see.
U wan go in Uni with band 1 also can.

As i heard a private U top management officer said:
" you say, Hello, good morning, how are you ... then you can get Band 2 already"...

So, if the university requires us to have band 1 or 2 only, is it means that english is actually not so important as a U student?

Some uni band 1 can ad but better if you get a highter band but yeah MUET has changed its formats since end of last year i am sitting for the new format now

band 1 is minimum requirement for entry
but in certain uni, they need at least band 3 to graduate

means band 1 is ok for entry but to graduate, need to retake MUET with at least band 3 to grad

wonder Is MUET easy to score at least band 3?

Yeah many of my friend said band 3 is easy required you know basics

I couldn't agree with you more, well said.

When I sat for the exams back in 2007, we all were shock with the ones who managed to get Band 6. Like you said, they didn't have an exceptional command of the language or anything. They just answered the examination based on the standards and formats required; and voila! Band 6!

Only a handful of student managed to attain a Band 6. Many of my english speaking friends, including myself only managed to pull in a band 5.

But its ok, to anything above band 3 is just a matter of bragging rights and self satisfaction. You'll see those that got band 5 wanting to resit and they still end up getting band 5. I have a friend who even got LOWER the second time compared to her first attempt.

This post has been edited by tineagle: May 4 2009, 03:22 PM

Being a natural English speaker doesn't mean one is generally good in English already and expected to get a Band 6 in MUET or any other English tests/exams.

I only picked up English during my secondary years and my English is better compared to those who spoke English from young. I believe I have a better grasp in English in terms of pronunciation, spelling and grammars. Just that I don't speak as fluently but generally I can speak without much pauses. But I'm not saying I am good enough already because I realize I have so much more to learn. My point is, natural English speaker is not necessarily more superior than those who are not.

This post has been edited by joe_89: May 5 2009, 01:26 AM

this is not about 'superiority', but about techniques in answering questions in muet........you are a perfect example of an english as a second language user, taught and couched in the exam techniques of muet........

generally, 2nd language users will find problem with creativity, use of simile, sarcasm, etc the nuances of a language native speakers use........it is called '1st language interference'..........

It was implied that it's about superiority.

I know too I am THE perfect example

I dont have problems using similes, idioms, creativity etc etc.

yes, the muet tests results would suggest someone who scores band 6 is superior than someone with band 5......

i am just pointing out that the difference between them is just exam techniques, which 2nd language users are better at........