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MUET ESSAY WRITING TEST GUIDE & TIP

The MUET writing test requires students to transfer information from a non-linear source to a linear
text, as well as to write an essay of at least 350 words on a given topic.

Exam paper code: 800/4


Exam duration: 90 minutes
Total weightage: 25%

The MUET writing test is to access candidates on their ability to:

1. Transfer information
2. Write with good grammar
3. Analyze graphic information. It may come in one of these five forms:
 Line graph
 Bar graph
 Pie chart
 Table
 Diagram illustrating process
4. Voice their opinions through words/written form
5. Think critically

Below is an exercise for you to start practicing. The following question has been taken from the MUET
Tuition blog, where you can find more sample tests and more relevant information.

Task 1 – Report Writing (40 marks)


· You are given 40 minutes to complete this task
· Study and analyze the graphic information
· Describe the information or the process in a report format
· Write between 150 – 200 words

Sample question:

The chart shows how students on all courses at a Malaysian university viewed different subjects on a
scale of easy to difficult. You should write 150 to 200 words.

Sample answer:

How Students on All Courses at a Malaysian University View Different Subjects According to Different
Levels of Difficulty
The bar chart shows how students who are studying in a Malaysian university rate different subjects
according to its difficulty – easy, moderately difficult or difficult.

The subject which was most commonly rated as difficult was math, by 70% of the total
students. While only 20% of students saw it as easy. Physics was also largely judged to be a difficult
or moderately difficult subject. Only 25% of students viewed it as easy. By contrast, chemistry was
regarded as easy by a massive 70% of students.

As far as language subjects are concerned, languages in general were seen as easy by 40% of
students. This percentage dropped to 20% for oriental languages. African languages, however, were
viewed as easy by 60% of students. Next, Art was rated to be an easy subject by only 30% of
students and like Physics, 50% rated it as difficult.

In conclusion, there seems to be no clear correspondence between the type of subject and whether it
was generally rated as easy or difficult. (168 words)

Tips for Task 1:

· A title MUST be written


· Title MUST be underlined
· Write a minimum of 3 paragraphs (Introduction, body and conclusion). Students can also write 2
paragraphs for body.)

Task 2 – Extended Writing (60 marks)

· Write an essay NOT LESS THAN 350 words based on the given topic
· You are given 50 minutes to complete this task
· Your essay may be written in these styles:
- Analytical
- Descriptive
- Persuasive
- Argumentative

Tips:

· Don’t write statements that are too general. Back up your statements with facts. If you’re aiming at
scoring Band 5 or Band 6, you are expected to have a high level of critical thinking.
· Have at least 5 paragraphs

1. Introduction
- State the current situation
- State if you agree or disagree with the statement/topic, and why.

2. First point
- Key point
- Elaboration
- Examples

3. Second point
- Key point
- Elaboration
- Examples

4. Third point
- Key point
- Elaboration
- Examples

5. Conclusion
- State why you agree/disagree once more

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