THE Malaysian University Entrance Test (MUET) is a test of English Language proficiency for university admission. It is a compulsory test that has been set by the Examination Council as a prerequisite for admission to do graduate studies.
Over the years, MUET has been given less significance by higher learning institutes. It is no longer a requirement for admission into local universities, public or private.
Many overseas higher learning institutes that offer twinning programmes with local private colleges do not consider MUET as an acceptable test for English language proficiency.
Some local universities require students to sit MUET to only graduate, without taking into account the bands achieved. But, this is set to change from this year onwards because MUET had been given a breath of fresh air. The prime minister, in his last budget report, reiterated the significance of MUET as a reliable yardstick for students seeking admission into higher learning institutes. He had announced in the 2015 Budget that a higher score for MUET for entry into public higher learning institutes would be introduced this year.
The minimum MUET requirement will be 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. The MUET tests four components — listening, speaking, reading and writing. The scores of each component is graded into six bands with Band 1 as extremely limited user and Band 6 as very good user.
Hopefully, the education authorities will take measures to make MUET a must and revise the entry requirements for all universities and higher learning institutes.
SAMUEL YESUIAH,
Seremban, Negri Sembilan