3 Steps to jumpstart your MUET preparations | Afterschool.my

Posted: 17 Oct 2014 12:45 AM PDT

Published: October 17, 2014

With government's new policy on MUET (Malaysian University English Test) requirements for public varsities, it is best to start preparing for your exams this early. Previously, a MUET band 1 is enough however the new policy will be making it difficult for students who want to get into public universities. Here are some simple tips on how to improve your exam preparations.

1. Get familiar with the test structure

You can easily obtain model test papers or past year papers from book stores or from your MUET tutor. Generally, MUET is made of four components – listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The duration and weighing of each component are as follows:

One look at it and reading paper is obviously the one that carries the highest weightage of 40%. Therefore, it's important to start reading, and not just any content but read articles and books that are written by respected authors and reliable publications such as TIME Magazine, National Geographic, The Economist, Reader's Digest, The New Yorker, and so forth. Aside from these, you need to keep abreast with local issues and these can be gained by reading newspapers such as The Star, News Straits Times, The Edge, and many more.

For more information on the MUET exam structure, please visit this link.

2. Practice makes perfect

English language proficiency is a skill, and skills do not develop overnight. To master this skill, one must some invest time to practice.

Practice speaking and listening – In order to speak English fluently, you need to practice speaking. Get someone (a teacher, coach, or a friend who practices English) to converse with. Practice speaking out loud until your mouth and brain can do it without any effort. As much as possible, avoid translating your thoughts from your mother tongue, and try to think in English. Talk naturally and try to add some humour in your conversation.
Practice writing – Once you have gained some confidence in expressing yourself in the English language, it's time to put these thoughts on paper. Take time to write down your thoughts, views, opinion, and ideas in an orderly and logical manner. Social media activities such as blogging can help you feel motivated to write.
Practice reading – To help enrich your vocabulary, you will need to read a lot of material. From reading word-by-word, try to learn how to browse and capture keywords. By doing so, you get to expand the number of words you read at a time, which is very important in exams. Another tip is to concentrate and avoid regression or re-reading a material. This will slow you down, and lose the overall meaning of a subject.

3. Engage in play and conversation

Play is a good form of learning because it is motivating and fun! Word games such as scrabble, crossword puzzles, anagrams, and word scramble can challenge you and help you discover new meanings and new words. Furthermore, these games encourage you to check with a thesaurus or dictionary.

Another way to expand your vocabulary is to simply talk with other people. This can help you learn and discover new words. As with reading, once you hear a new word, remember to jot it down so that you can study it later — and then slowly add the new word to your vocabulary.

You hold the key to a better vocabulary. These tips featured in this article, will help you on your way to discovering and learning new words to expand your vocabulary and strengthen your use of the English language. Good luck!

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Public varsities given time to implement English entry test, says ... - Blog MUET

Public varsities given time to implement English entry test, says ...

Posted: 17 Oct 2014 05:00 PM PDT

Public varsities given time to implement English entry test, says ministry

Bernama

Public universities will be given sufficient time to introduce the new conditions for the Malaysian University English Test (Muet) next year.

Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan (pic) said the ministry would give public universities sufficient time to make full preparations to implement the new requirements.

"We will give public universities sufficient opportunity and time to implement the decision (new condition for Muet requirements).

"Public universities should not see the upgrading of the Muet grades as a burden," he told Bernama after attending the graduation ceremony of Form Five students of the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Damansara Utama today.

He was commenting on worries voiced by Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak that the new requirements would result in a shortage of students to fill the places in several areas of study offered by local universities.

Kamalanathan said public universities should not worry about the new Muet requirements because the ministry would continue to work hard to help students equip themselves with a command of English before enrolling into the universities.

"We will not leave them on their own and the ministry will do whatever is needed to help them improve their English, even at the school level.

"This is the ministry's responsibility. We will work with public universities and secondary schools on ways to improve the standard of English among schoolchildren," he said.

Last Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, when tabling Budget 2015 announced that beginning next year, the new minimum entry requirement for public universities, previously at Band 1, was now Band 2 for arts and social science studies (graduation requirement of Band 3); science, technology, engineering and mathematics was Band 3 (graduation condition Band 4), while Band 4 was fixed for law and medical studies (graduation condition Band 5).

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Varsities fear lack of intake over new MUET requirements ... - Blog MUET

Varsities fear lack of intake over new MUET requirements ...

Posted: 13 Oct 2014 02:37 PM PDT

ALOR SETAR: Local universities may face a drop in the number of students enrolling for several courses following the introduction of new entry requirements for the Malaysian University English Test (MUET).

According to Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak, this was because the new entrance requirement, which comes into effect next year, would require students to attain a Band 2 to 5 in MUET, depending on the course of study.

He said at present about 30 per cent of students in local universities achieved Band 3, 4 and 5 in MUET, while the remainder had Band 1 and 2.

"Previously, the minimum requirement was Band 1 for students taking arts programmes and they would take an English class for a specified period," he told reporters when met at the Post-Budget 2015 Dialogue here.

He said the Education Ministry should conduct a detailed study on ways to produce students who were proficient in English so that they could be accepted into local universities.

Mohamed Mustafa said the use of English in Mathematics and Science subjects was good as it would ensure students studied and mastered the language well.

"The ministry also does not have to bring down the passing grade of MUET because it is important to ensure the standard of English used in universities. There is no point lowering the passing grade of Band 2 because this means they have failed to master the language," he said.

He said he hoped the ministry would implement the move successfully so that students entering universities would be proficient in English.

"We at the university level can improve the skills of the students from Band 1 to 2 and so on. We conduct English classes for them to improve their command of the language," he said.

Last Friday, while tabling Budget 2015, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that beginning next year, the general entry requirement into public institutes of higher learning which required students to achieve a minimum level of Band 1 in MUET would be raised so that students would be more confident and proficient in English.

The new minimum entry requirement for MUET for entry into arts and social science courses has been raised to Band 2 (graduation requirement fixed at Band 3); science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at Band 3 (graduation requirement of Band 4); while Band 4 has been fixed for law and medical studies (graduation requirement of Band 5). — Bernama

IPTS not ready to implement higher Muet score as entry requirement ... - Blog MUET

IPTS not ready to implement higher Muet score as entry requirement ...
High MUET band could decrease undergraduate intake, says UUM ...
UUM bimbang kekurangan pelajar ekoran syarat baharu MUET ...

IPTS not ready to implement higher Muet score as entry requirement ...

Posted: 15 Oct 2014 10:28 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: Private institutions of higher learning (IPTS) are not ready to implement a higher Malaysian University English Test (Muet) score as entry requirement into university.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said although the government wanted to standardise the raise in entry requirement, however, they must take into consideration the preparedness of private institutions.

"Basically, I agree with the standardisation…but this is a big initiative we are starting at the government level and implementing in public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) first," he said when answering a question from Datuk Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong) at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Noraini wanted to know if the ministry planned to standardise the higher Muet score requirement between the IPTA and IPTS.

Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, is holding talks with the IPTS with regard to the proposed requirement.

In the tabling of Budget 2015, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced a higher score for Muet for entry into IPTA, starting next year.

Currently, the minimum entry requirement is a Muet Band 1.

Starting next year, the minimum Muet requirement is increased, according to the field of study, Band 2 for Arts and Social Sciences, Band 3 for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) courses and Band 4 for Law and Medical courses.

The requirement for graduates is that they must achieve Band 3 for Arts and Social Science, Band 4 for Stem and Band 5 for Law and Medicine.

Muhyiddin said the effort was taken to increase graduate proficiency to communicate in English.

"We will see how this goes as many aspects need to be considered…in the early stage, we want to see its effectiveness in the IPTA," he added.

Muhyiddin said, for continuous excellence in the learning of English, the ministry needed to retrain teachers although they had reached global standards.

He said periodic monitoring of teachers was necessary so that standards were met, as well as to ensure the success of students through initial examination or tests carried out in school.

"We continue to monitor their achievement in order to improve the quality of learning in the classroom and courses taken by teachers," he said.

To a question by Datuk Dr Tan Seng Giaw (DAP-Kepong) on efforts to improve English proficiency among teachers, Muhyiddin said the English Language Teaching Programmes (Pro-ELT) had been carried out, involving 5,010 teachers last year.

Of this number, 76.4 per cent have successfully increased their proficiency by at least one Band.

He said 9,002 teachers were currently pursuing the course which was expected to end in April next year. — Bernama

High MUET band could decrease undergraduate intake, says UUM ...

Posted: 14 Oct 2014 12:12 AM PDT

Published: October 14, 2014

Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) vice-chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak expressed his concern following government's new entry requirements for the Malaysian University English Test (MUET).

According to the UUM VC, local universities may face a drop in the number of students enrolling for several courses because the new entrance requirement, which comes into effect next year, would require students to achieve a Band 2 to 5 in MUET, depending on the course of study.

He added that about 30 per cent of students in local universities achieved Band 3, 4, and 5 in MUET, while the remainder had Band 1 and 2, presently. Those who have Band 1 to 2 take English classes at the university to improve their language proficiency.

Nevertheless, he agrees with government's decision to raise the MUET entry requirements. Furthermore, he proposes that Mathematics and Science subjects should be taught in English to ensure that students can study and master the language well before they start tertiary studies.

"The ministry does not have to bring down the passing grade of MUET because it is important to ensure the standard of English used in universities. There is no point lowering the passing grade of Band 2 because this means they have failed to master the language," he said.

He said he hoped the ministry would implement the move successfully so that students entering universities would be proficient in English.

UUM bimbang kekurangan pelajar ekoran syarat baharu MUET ...

Posted: 13 Oct 2014 01:42 AM PDT

UUM bimbang kekurangan pelajar ekoran syarat baharu MUET

UUM bimbang akan berlaku kekurangan pelajar ke bagi mengisi kekosongan di universiti berikutan syarat baru kelayakan bagi MUET.

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ALOR SETAR: Naib Canselor Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak hari ini melahirkan kebimbangan akan berlaku kekurangan pelajar bagi mengisi kekosongan tempat dalam beberapa bidang pengajian yang ditawarkan di universiti tempatan berikutan syarat baru kelayakan bagi Malaysian University English Test (MUET).

Beliau berkata ini kerana ini kerana syarat layak masuk ke universiti yang berkuatkuasa pada tahun hadapan mengkehendaki pelajar mencapai Band 2 hingga 5 dalam MUET dan bergantung kepada bidang pengajian yang dipilih.

Katanya setakat ini kira-kira 30 peratus pelajar yang kini berada di universiti tempatan berjaya mencapai Band 3,4 dan 5 dalam MUET dan selebihnya memperoleh Band 1 dan 2.

"Syarat minimum sebelum ini adalah Band 1 bagi pelajar mengikuti program sastera dan mereka akan mengikuti kelas Bahasa Inggeris dalam tempoh yang ditetapkan," katanya kepada pemberita ketika ditemui pada Dialog Pasca Bajet 2015 di sini.

Beliau berkata Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) perlu melakukan kajian yang lebih terperinci berkaitan pelaksanaannya dalam melahirkan pelajar yang boleh berbahasa Inggeris dengan baik agar mereka diterima masuk ke universiti tempatan.

Mohamed Mustafa berkata penggunaan Bahasa Inggeris dalam matapelajaran Matematik dan Sains sebelum ini amat baik dalam memastikan pelajar dapat mempelajari dan menguasai bahasa antarabangsa itu dengan baik.

"KPM juga tidak perlu menurunkan graf lulus MUET kerana ia penting bagi memastikan tahap pelajar menguasai bahasa Inggeris yang akan diaplikasi sepenuhnya di universiti. Jika graf lulus band 2 diturunkan tidak berguna juga kerana mereka gagal untuk menguasai bahasa itu dengan baik," katanya.

Beliau berharap pihak kementerian akan melaksanakan perkara itu dengan baik agar pelajar yang layak masuk ke universiti itu adalah pelajar yang boleh menguasai bahasa Inggeris dengan baik pada masa akan datang.

"Kita di peringkat universiti mampu untuk mempertingkatkan kemahiran pelajar dari Band 1 kepada 2 dan seterusnya. Kita adakan kelas bahasa Inggeris kepada mereka dalam meningkatkan penguasaan mereka terhadap bahasa kedua itu," katanya.

Jumaat lepas Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dalam pembentangan Bajet 2015 mengumumkan bermula tahun hadapan, syarat kemasukan am ke institusi pengajian tinggi awam (IPTA) yang mengkehendaki pelajar mencapai tahap minimum Band 1 dalam MUET akan dipertingkatkan bagi meningkatkan keyakinan diri dan kemahiran berkomunikasi bahasa itu.

Tahap minimum baharu Band MUET untuk kemasukan bagi pengajian sastera dan sains sosial ditingkatkan kepada Band 2 (syarat graduasi ditetapkan Band 3); pengajian sains, teknologi, kejuruteraan dan matematik (STEM) menjadi Band 3 (syarat graduasi Band 4); manakala Band 4 ditetapkan untuk pengajian undang-undang dan perubatan (syarat graduasi Band 5).

Untuk menonton banyak lagi program Astro terkini, layari Astro on the Go http://onthego.astro.com.my

Tag: Bajet 2015, MUET, Bahasa Inggeris, UUM

Malaysian government raises minimum English entry requirement ... - Blog MUET

Malaysian government raises minimum English entry requirement ...

Posted: 12 Oct 2014 10:54 PM PDT

Published: October 13, 2014

Beginning next year, students planning to enter local public universities would have to score higher in the Malaysian University English Test (MUET).

This new rule, which was announced in the budget, is supposed to help graduate employability. Various studies have confirmed that proficiency in English language skills affects employability and the amount of salary paid.

The bands refer to the level of proficiency in listening, reading, writing and speaking, with Band 6 indicating top proficiency and Band 1 the lowest.

Currently, students only need to have a minimum of band 1 in MUET to gain university admission. Students who obtained low scores in their MUET are still accepted, provided they go through English enhancement courses and obtain a minimum grade. The entry requirements are:

Arts and Social Science – Band 2
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) – Band 3
Law and Medical courses – Band 4

With the new rule to be implemented, students must be aware of the new minimum MUET requirement according to the field of study.

To graduate, students must now achieve the following:

Arts and Social Sciences – Band 3
STEM courses – Band 4
Law and Medicine – Band 5

Idris Jusoh: RM56 bln allocation proof BN serious about education ...

Posted: 11 Oct 2014 09:20 AM PDT

KUALA TERENGGANU: The allocation of RM56 billion to the Education Ministry to finance various teaching and learning programmes next year is proof of the government's commitment to build society through education.

Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said the government's emphasis on the Vocational and Technical Transformation Programme (TEVT) was also an indicator that skills training would be in mainstream education.

"It is an early indicator that the time has come for us to place the development of skills training among the younger generation on the same level as the focus on academics.

"This is a transformation where vocational education should be in the mainstream.

"In the future, we will see vocational colleges and schools, community colleges, polytechnics and training centres upgraded and expanded and given emphasis in the national education sector," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the graduation ceremony of students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Lembah Bidong here yesterday.

Idris also urged parents to not only hope that their children would do well academically but should also give focus to high skills training which was much needed in certain industries now.

He also welcomed the government's efforts to focus on the students' abilities to master the English Language with the entry level into government institutes of higher learning for the Malaysian University English Test (MUET)increased from Band 1.

The new minimum level for the MUET Band for entry into arts and social science students is now Band 2 (condition for graduation is at Band 3); science, technology, engineering and mathematics studies (STEM) at Band 3 (graduation at Band 4); while Band 4 has been fixed for law and medical studies (graduation at Band 5).

Commenting on the rebate offered by the government to encourage borrowers of the Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) to repay their loans, Idris said he hoped the number of borrowers who settled their loans would increase.

However, he said, the ministry would discuss the case of borrowers who still refused to pay up despite the rebates.

On Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced a 10 per cent rebate for borrowers who made continuous payments for 12 months until Dec 31, 2015. — Bernama

UUM Fears Lack Of Students Due MUET Band 1, 2 Implementation ... - Blog MUET

UUM Fears Lack Of Students Due MUET Band 1, 2 Implementation ...

Posted: 13 Oct 2014 02:53 AM PDT

Posted: 5:53 pm, October 13, 2014 by editor

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13: Local universities may face a drop in the number of students enrolling for several courses following the introduction of new entry requirements for the Malaysian University English Test (MUET).

He said at present about 30 per cent of students in local universities achieved Band 3, 4 and 5 in MUET, while the remainder had Band 1 and 2.

Mohamed Mustafa said the Education Ministry should conduct a detailed study on ways to produce students who were proficient in English so that they could be accepted into local universities.

He said the use of English in Mathematics and Science subjects was good as it would ensure students studied and mastered the language well.

He said he hoped the ministry would implement the move successfully so that students entering universities would be proficient in English.

"We at the university level can improve the skills of the students from Band 1 to 2 and so on. We conduct English classes for them to improve their command of the language," he said.

Idris Jusoh: RM56 bln allocation proof BN serious about education ... - Blog MUET

Idris Jusoh: RM56 bln allocation proof BN serious about education ...

Posted: 11 Oct 2014 09:20 AM PDT

"It is an early indicator that the time has come for us to place the development of skills training among the younger generation on the same level as the focus on academics.

"This is a transformation where vocational education should be in the mainstream.

"In the future, we will see vocational colleges and schools, community colleges, polytechnics and training centres upgraded and expanded and given emphasis in the national education sector," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the graduation ceremony of students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Lembah Bidong here yesterday.

Idris also urged parents to not only hope that their children would do well academically but should also give focus to high skills training which was much needed in certain industries now.

However, he said, the ministry would discuss the case of borrowers who still refused to pay up despite the rebates.

On Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced a 10 per cent rebate for borrowers who made continuous payments for 12 months until Dec 31, 2015. — Bernama

RM56 billion for Education Ministry - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 10 Oct 2014 10:09 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is allocating RM56 billion under Budget 2015 to the Education Ministry for developing human capital.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak gave his assurance that the education sector would continue to be strengthened in line with the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025, with emphasis given towards strengthening schools that required guidance and special assistance.

Najib said the allocation included RM1.2 billion for the Vocational and Technical Transformation Programme (TEVT) to increase intake of students in view of applications received far exceeding the
number of places available.

"To open up more opportunities in this field, the government will allocate RM100 million immediately to the Ministry of Education for 10,000 placements in technical and vocational private colleges. Further, RM50 million will be allocated to Mara to implement TEVT programmes," he said when tabling the Budget 2015 themed 'People Economy' in Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Najib also said beginning next year, general entry requirements for enrolling in public institutions of higher learning (IPTA), which called for students to achieve Band 1 in the Malaysian University English Test (MUET), would be raised to enhance graduates' self-confidence and English proficiency skills.

Accordingly, the minimum MUET band would be increased based on the field of study. For example (a) Arts and Science Courses – Band 2; (b) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Courses – Band 3; and (c) Law and Medical Courses – Band 4.

To graduate, students must achieve (a) Arts and Science Courses – Band 3; (b) STEM Courses – Band 4; and (c) Law and Medical Courses – Band 5.

Besides this, to ensure a safe environment conducive to learning, the government would allocate RM800 million for the following: national schools with RM450 million, national-type Chinese schools (RM50 million), national-type Tamil schools (RM50 million), religious schools (RM50 million), fully residential schools (RM50 million), government-aided religious schools (RM50 million), Mara Junior Science Colleges (RM50 million), registered 'sekolah pondok' (RM 25 million); and national Chinese secondary schools (conforming schools) which use the national curriculum (RM25 million).

Najib also announced that the government would also pay the electricity and water bills of all national-type schools under the Education Ministry in full, up to a maximum limit of RM5,000 a month compared to RM2,000 previously.

Meanwhile, RM10 million would be allocated to expand the Trust Schools programme, which started in 2011 by building 20 more Trust Schools in Johor, Sarawak, Selangor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Kuala Lumpur.

Also to be built are 12 new schools involving seven primary schools, three secondary schools and two boarding schools nationwide.

Next year, the government will allocate RM3 billion for sponsoring education, of which RM1.9 million will be given to the Public Service Department, Education Ministry (RM759 million) and Health Ministry (RM258 million).

As for the MyBrain15 programme that aims to produce 60,000 PhD holders by 2023, the government will inject RM112 million into it.
To date, 34,525 students are pursuing post-graduate studies with a cost of over RM386 million.

The MyBrain15, which is currently for the private sector, is proposed to be extended to civil servants and employees of statutory bodies who are keen to further their studies on part-time basis in local higher learning institutions.

In addition, RM540 million has been allocated for school aid of RM100 per pupil for the 5.4 million primary school students in the country, and RM325 million for the 1Malaysia Book Voucher Programme for the 1.3 million secondary and tertiary students.

To enhance graduate employability, the prime minister said Talent Corp would provide RM30 million for the Industry Academia Collaboration programme where universities, government entities and industries would collaborate to develop the curriculum for internship programmes and industrial training.

To encourage repayment on National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) loans, the government proposed for a 10-per cent rebate to be given to borrowers who continuously make repayments for 12 months until Dec 31 next year, whereas an additional 20 per cent discount would be offered to borrowers who make lump sum repayments from today until March 31 next year.

Najib had this to say to defaulters: "It is a sin to die without settling one's debts as the soul will not rest in peace."— Bernama

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3 Steps to jumpstart your <b>MUET</b> preparations | Afterschool.my - Blog Muet

1. Get familiar with the test structure

2. Practice makes perfect

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Public varsities given time to implement <b>English</b> entry <b>test</b>, says <b>...</b> - Blog MUET

Public varsities given time to implement English entry test, says ministry

Varsities fear lack of intake over new <b>MUET</b> requirements <b>...</b> - Blog MUET

IPTS not ready to implement higher <b>Muet</b> score as entry requirement <b>...</b> - Blog MUET

<b>Malaysian</b> government raises minimum <b>English</b> entry requirement <b>...</b> - Blog MUET

UUM Fears Lack Of Students Due <b>MUET</b> Band 1, 2 Implementation <b>...</b> - Blog MUET

Idris Jusoh: RM56 bln allocation proof BN serious about education <b>...</b> - Blog MUET

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