Mahidol University’s Thai Exam

for Non-Native Speakers

What is MUTT?

The Mahidol University Thai Test (MUTT), created by the Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia (RILCA), is a test of non-native speakers’ Thai language proficiency. The test is intended to evaluate the following abilities: listening, speaking, reading, and writing for the purpose of studying, working, or migrating to Thailand. MUTT testing methods place a premium on an applicant’s ability to communicate effectively in real-world situations.

Why

is MUTT important?

As one of the pioneers of four-skill Thai language testing, MUTT candidates can use their test results to meet the admission requirements of Thai educational institutions or to assess their Thai language proficiency for development.

What

is the test format?

The three-hour test is divided into four sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The first 45 minutes are spent listening, followed by one hour each of reading and writing and up to 15 minutes of speaking.

How

long is my MUTT score valid?

Your MUTT score is valid for two years following the date of the test.

how long will it take?

09:00-09:45 (UTC+7)

Listening

50 items 45 minutes

09:45-10:45 (UTC+7)

Reading

50 items 60 minutes

10:45-11:45 (UTC+7)

Writing

6 items 60 minutes

11:45-12:00 (UTC+7)

Speaking

4 items 15 minutes

What is an acceptable MUTT score?

A minimum MUTT score of 81 or an intermediate-mid level is generally required for undergraduate degrees, while 121 or an advanced-low level is required for postgraduate degrees. A score of 141 or an advanced-mid level is required for specialist courses such as medicine. However, each faculty, college, and course are unique, so do your research or speak to an academic-service consultant.

Listening and reading scores are determined by the number of correct responses you provide to the MUTT’s 100 questions. You do not lose points for providing an incorrect answer. Both tasks 1 and 2 of the writing section are assessed using six criteria: word count, spelling, meaning, sentence structure, cohesion, and content. The marking criteria for MUTT speaking are graded on the following categories: pronunciation, fluency, accuracy, completion, and language use.

The MUTT proficiency levels are consistent with the most recent ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines for Speaking, Writing, Listening, and Reading. Please click here to download the full version of the 2012 document in PDF format.

191-200 | Distinguished

LISTENING comprehend a range of speech forms, styles, and registers on highly specialized subjects in language tailored to a variety of audiences.

SPEAKING employ language with dexterity, accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness.

READING comprehend a broad range of text types, including professional, technical, academic, and literary.

WRITING carry out formal writing assignments such as official correspondence, position papers, and journal articles.

181-190 | Superior

LISTENING comprehend speech delivered in a standard dialect on a variety of familiar and unfamiliar topics.

SPEAKING communicate accurately and fluently in order to participate fully and effectively in formal and informal conversations on a variety of topics from both concrete and abstract perspectives.

READING comprehend texts in a variety of genres that cover a broad range of topics, both familiar and unfamiliar.

WRITING compose the majority of formal and informal correspondence, in-depth summaries, reports, and research papers on a variety of social, academic, and professional subjects.

161-180 | Advanced High

LISTENING understand conventional narrative and descriptive texts of any length, as well as complex factual material, with ease and confidence.

SPEAKING perform all Advanced-level tasks fluently, confidently, and competently.

READING understand conventional narrative and descriptive texts of any length, as well as more complex factual material, completely and easily.

WRITING write with considerable precision and detail about a variety of subjects.

141-160 | ADVANCED MID

LISTENING comprehend narrative and descriptive texts in their conventional form.

SPEAKING manage a wide variety of communicative tasks with ease and confidence.

READING comprehend traditional narrative and descriptive texts, which include expanded descriptions of people, places, and things, as well as narrations about past, present, and future events.

WRITING meet a variety of professional and/or academic writing requirements.

121-140 | ADVANCED LOW

LISTENING comprehend short conventional narrative and descriptive texts with a distinct underlying structure, despite their uneven comprehension.

SPEAKING capable of performing a variety of communicative tasks.

READING comprehend conventional narrative and descriptive texts that have a clear underlying structure, despite their uneven comprehension.

WRITING meet the requirements of basic work and/or academic writing.

101-120 | INTERMEDIATE HIGH

LISTENING understand simple sentence-length speech in basic personal and social contexts with ease and confidence.

SPEAKING converse fluently and confidently in routine tasks and social situations at the Intermediate level.

READING fully and easily comprehend brief, uncomplicated texts that convey basic information and deal with personal and social issues in which the reader has an interest or knowledge.

WRITING meet all of the Intermediate level’s practical writing requirements.

81-100 | INTERMEDIATE MID

LISTENING comprehend simple, sentence-length speech in a variety of basic personal and social contexts, one utterance at a time.

SPEAKING manage a variety of straightforward communicative tasks successfully in straightforward social situations.

READING comprehend brief, uncomplicated texts that convey essential information and address basic personal and social issues

WRITING meet a variety of practical writing requirements.

61-80 | INTERMEDIATE LOW

LISTENING comprehend some information in basic personal and social contexts from sentence-length speech, one utterance at a time.

SPEAKING manage a limited number of straightforward communicative tasks successfully through language creation in straightforward social situations.

READING comprehend some information contained in the simplest connected texts addressing a limited number of personal and social requirements.

WRITING meet a few specific practical writing requirements.

41-60 | NOVICE HIGH

LISTENING comprehend information from sentence-length speech, one utterance at a time, in fundamental personal and social contexts where contextual or extralinguistic support is available.

SPEAKING capable of performing a variety of tasks at the Intermediate level, but unable to maintain performance at that level.

READING fully and easily comprehend key words and cognates, as well as formulaic phrases, found in a variety of highly contextualized texts.

WRITING Utilise lists, short messages, postcards, and simple notes to meet limited basic practical writing needs.

21-40 | NOVICE MID

LISTENING recognise and begin to understand a variety of highly contextualised, high-frequency words and phrases, including aural cognates and borrowed words.

SPEAKING Communicate simply by using a few isolated words and memorized phrases that are context-specific.

READING recognise the alphabetic or syllabic writing system’s letters or symbols, or a limited number of characters in a character-based language.

WRITING reproduce a small number of words and phrases in context from memory.

1-20 | NOVICE LOW

LISTENING recognise isolated words or extremely high-frequency phrases when they are accompanied by strong contextual support.

SPEAKING have no functional ability and may be unintelligible due to their pronunciation.

READING comprehend a finite number of letters, symbols, or characters.

WRITING copy or transcribe familiar words or phrases, form alphabetic letters, and copy and produce isolated, basic strokes in languages that use syllabaries or characters.

How many classes must I take to raise my MUTT score?

This is dependent on your current level and the desired score. To gain ten to twenty points on the MUTT, the average student is required to attend one course at RILCA, Mahidol University, and complete assigned work.

MUTT registration fees

THB 2,000 (non-refundable). Applicants may pay online using a credit card or by wire transfer to RILCA, Mahidol University, in Thai Baht. All processing and handling fees are the applicant’s sole responsibility. If you choose credit card payment, you will be prompted to enter your card number and expiration date.

To make a transfer payment, the following bank account details are provided:

Account: Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia
Bank: Siam Commercial Bank PCL
Brach: Mahidol University
Saving Account Number: XXX-XXXXXX-X
SWIFT Code: SICOTHBK

Note: Payment confirmation may take up to three business days.