Strength and Challenges Faced by the Pre-University Students in Extended Writing in Malaysian University English Test (MUET)

Abstract

English is an international language used universally as a lingua franca among people from different cultures, ethnic and social backgrounds today. The Malaysian Ministry of Education has continuously emphasized on the importance of English with various efforts in many ways. However, recent studies conducted locally revealed that pre-university students are still facing difficulties in writing. Extended Writing is a major challenge faced by the pre-university students in Malaysian University English Test (MUET) as it carries the highest score of 60 marks. The pre-university students’ achievement for this section is definitely cause for concern. Thus, this qualitative study aims to explore the strength and challenges faced by the 16, Semester 2, pre–university students in scoring Task 2, Extended Writing in Paper 4, MUET in a selected premier secondary school in northern Perak. Data were triangulated based on research participants’ school trial examination score sheet, interview sessions and document analysis. Document analysis was done based on research participants’ essays in Extended Writing in the MUET School Trial Examination for Lower Pre–University 2022. The findings provide useful pedagogical implications for MUET teachers, syllabus designers, policy makers, module writers and reference book publishers. Understanding the pre-university students’ strength and difficulties aid in providing appropriate instructions, supporting programs and materials in writing essays in Extended Writing.