The Higher Education English Test (HEET) provides a fair and accurate assessment of academic proficiency in an English as a second or foreign language context.
The test is aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and is a targeted test to assess local and international candidates’ English proficiency for admission to higher education institutions in Malaysia.
One of the main objectives is to generate a positive washback effect on language practice and to serve as a diagnostic assessment tool in informing candidates and prospective supervisors/academic advisors about the candidates’ language abilities.
Test candidates are expected to have studied English as a core subject at secondary school level and have taken formal examination in English at the point of finishing secondary school and have pursued English speaking and writing in tertiary education for Malaysian Higher School Certificate (STPM), matriculation certificate, or a diploma.
Listening Test Candidates will listen to three recordings with increasing length. The recordings will either be a conversation or a lecture on an academic topic relevant to higher education. There are 25 objective items to be attempted in 40 minutes. The questions are designed so that the answers appear in the order they are heard in the audio. Candidates are given time to read the questions before listening to the audio. Each recording is played twice. Recordings include a range of accents that are highly audible. Candidates need to write their answers on the question paper provided while they listen to the audio. At the end of the test, candidates are given 10 minutes to transfer their answers from the question paper to the OMR form.
Reading Test Candidates will attempt 40 objective items from three reading texts. The test duration is 60 minutes. The texts will generally cover topics related to higher education or cross-disciplinary academic issues. Their content will not be highly technical to allow for general understanding by candidates regardless of academic background. At the end of the test, candidates will transfer their answers from the question paper to the OMR form.
Writing Test The writing test will be carried out in 60 minutes where candidates are required to attempt two tasks. The length of output for the first task is 150 words and the second task is 300 words. These tasks are based on the types of writing that students are expected to engage within higher education, namely information exchange and discursive/ analytical/ argumentative elements. Candidates will be provided with an answer booklet during the test. Each task will be scored independently against assessment rubric in line with the CEFR by two trained assessors. The average score for each task is then calculated and used as a measure of candidates’ proficiency level.
Speaking Test The speaking test will be carried out in 30 minutes in the presence of an examiner. Candidates will attempt three tasks based on the types of speaking that they are expected to engage with in higher education contexts, namely factual information presentation, information transfer/exchange including argumentation skills and debate skills, and academic interaction. The first task requires candidates to speak for two minutes with a one-minute preparation time. The second task requires candidates to speak for two minutes with a three-minute preparation time and the final task requires candidates to speak for three minutes with a three-minute preparation time. Each task will be scored independently against each assessment rubric using competency levels in line with the CEFR by two trained assessors. The average score for each task is then calculated and used as a measure of candidates’ proficiency level.
HEET assesses candidates’ ability to listen, speak, read, and write in English language in academic contexts. There are four test components in HEET.Â
Each test is designed to account for a full range of abilities in English language proficiency for non-native speakers. These skills are crucial for successful completion of study in higher education institutions.
Marking for reading and listening is computerised, while marking for writing and speaking is carried out by 6 trained assessors using an independent double-scoring system.
Accuracy of examiners’ marking of textual and numerical responses is regularly monitored by the quality assurance and control team. Each component is scored against assessment rubrics that align with the CEFR from level Al to C2. A detailed mapping between heet levels and CEFR is shown on below:
| HEET | CEFR |
| 9 | C2 |
| 8 | C1 |
| 7 | B2 |
| 6 | B1 |
| 5 | |
| 4 | A2 |
| 3 | |
| 2 | A1 |
| 1 |
The HEET training (was PEP), which is under UKMShape, is designed to prepare undergraduate and postgraduate students to take HEET and succeed in the exam.
The HEET course is administered by appointed language centres (training providers) and its structure focuses on the academic language in four specific language skills namely listening, speaking, reading, writing. The training also focuses on helping students develop essential academic skills including areas in critical thinking, public speaking and presentation delivery, note-taking and academic research. The training prepares students to be proficient users of English.
The training conducts continuous assessment based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The training assesses students’ performance based on the learning outcomes set for each course. Overall, the aim is to support the learning and development of students’ academic language in English.
| DAY | MONDAY-THURSDAY | FRIDAY |
| Time | 10.00 AM – 1.00 PM | 10.00 AM – 1.00 PM |
| 2.30 PM – 5.30 PM | 3.00 AM – 4.30 PM | |
| Week | 4 Weeks Per Level | |
| Hour | 6 Hours Per Day | |
| 30 Hours Per Week | ||
| 120 Hours Per Level | ||
The process of application for stand alone
The process of application at JOIN UKM
CEPT Flowchart
HEET Training Schedule
Tuition Fee
English Language Competency
Method of payment
Centre for Shaping Advanced & Professional Education (UKMSHAPE)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
43600 UKM Bangi Selangor
Monday – Thursday
8.00 am – 1.00 pm
2.00 pm – 5.00 pm
Friday
8.00 am – 12.15 pm
2.45 pm – 5.00 pm
Monday – Thursday
8.15 am – 12.45 pm
2.15 pm – 4.45 pm
Friday
8.15 am -12.00 pm
3.00 pm -4.45 pm
Saturday & Sunday
Closed
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