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The MUET reading exam is one of the four main components of the MUET exam. The MUET reading test is designed to assess test taker’s ability to comprehend formal and less formal texts in higher education contexts.
Find out which reading tips we recommend for the MUET reading exam so you can get the most out of your preparation time!
MUET Reading Tips: Before And During The MUET Reading Test
Before:
MUET Reading Tip #1: Understand the format
To begin, you should familiarise yourself with the MUET reading format. Understanding the format enables you to answer different sets of questions correctly and wisely.
Here’s a sample overview of the new MUET 2021 reading format. You will also need to recognise the text length for each part as they are made of different types of questions.
The total number of questions for this section is 40, and you will be given 75 minutes to complete the test. Each part of the test has a specific word count range, but the total word count for the whole test is between 3300 and 4150 words.
Now that you’re familiar with the format, we’ll move to the next part of the MUET reading tips!
MUET Reading Tip #2: Read good reading materials
As the MUET exam evaluates your ability to understand long texts and material, you will need to familiarise yourself with high-quality reading material. You should stay up to date with the latest news and trends, as they will likely appear in future topics.
Here are the potential topics that you will need to know for the MUET reading exam:
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People and culture
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Financial awareness
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Consumerism
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Science and technology
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Environment and health
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Education
Besides familiarising yourself with the common topics, you are encouraged to read high-quality materials that will help you better comprehend the texts and articles. One of the good habits that you could start is to read local and international newspapers and websites. Besides reading, you can also listen to podcasts and pay attention to the words and language used.
We’ve also listed some of the best newspapers and magazines for you to read, so do check them out!
Local newspaper
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The Star
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The New Straits Times
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The Sun
International newspaper
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The Guardian
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The New York Post
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The New York Times
Magazine
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Readers’ Digest
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Time
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The New Yorker
Here is the list of podcasts that will help you stay updated with the latest news, and trends and boost your vocabulary skills to score the paper!
Podcast
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MUET Reading Tip #3: Practice past year questions
Practising past year questions will ensure you are familiar with the format and questions for the MUET reading exam. In addition, you will better understand your weaknesses, develop your reading skills, and train your critical thinking skills, thereby becoming more confident in taking the test!
While practising past year questions will help you adapt to the actual MUET exam; however, you will need to maintain a consistent approach to practice the questions.
Here’s what you could do:
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On your first attempt: You can refer to other reference books or find words in the dictionary to complete the questions. You could also try to do it in groups and discuss it with your peers.
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On your second attempt: This time, you could try to complete the questions independently without referring to other resources and material. Time yourself and make sure you don’t exceed the actual time.
Now that you have everything you need to know before the exam, let’s move on to what you need to know during the MUET reading exam!
During:
Muet Reading Tip #4: Skim and scan
For the MUET reading test, you will need to be able to skim and scan your way through the questions efficiently. Skimming refers to speed reading to find the main idea, while scanning refers to a reading technique in which you need to examine a text quickly for specific information.
Since you are only given 75 minutes to complete all seven parts of the paper, you will need to read and make inferences from the texts in a limited time. Skimming and scanning go hand in hand together and will help you answer the questions efficiently and effectively.
Muet Reading Tip #5: Identify the questions
As the MUET reading exam comprises different questions, you will need to understand the instructions and questions for each part. For instance, some questions may require you to draw conclusions or make intelligent assumptions from the text. Avoid using your own opinion or thoughts as your answer may be incorrect.
Pro tip: Take note of the text and review the answers and given options, and be sure to eliminate the answer that might be correct before making a guess.
Muet Reading Tip #6: Be time conscious
Be sure to spend your time wisely, as you have approximately 2 minutes to answer the question. While it may seem long, you will need to read long, complex tests to complete the questions. Organise your time and determine how much time you will need to dedicate to each part of the question. Remember, time is the essence!
You can save time by keeping these reminders in mind:
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Make sure to read the questions carefully and underline each keyword for each section.
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Use the skim and scan techniques correctly.
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Double-check the options before selecting your final answer.