The Complete Guide to MET (Michigan English Test)

In this article, you will find detailed information about the Michigan English Test (MET), with sample questions for each section.

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The Michigan English Test (MET) has quietly become one of the most practical English proficiency exams worldwide. Whether you’re applying to a university, seeking a job abroad, or needing proof of English skills for visa purposes, the MET offers a flexible and recognized option. 

Unlike one-size-fits-all exams, it adapts to a wide range of learners, from high-beginner to advanced.

What is the MET exam?

The MET is a multilevel English proficiency test that measures all four skills: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. It lasts about 155 minutes and is available both at authorized test centers and remotely in certain countries.

It’s designed to check how well you can actually use English in real-world situations. 

That means no obscure or overly technical topics. You’ll encounter things like conversations between coworkers, short news articles, or writing an essay on everyday issues.

Who takes it?

The MET is mainly for adults and adolescents at a secondary level or above who want to certify their English skills. It is aligned with the CEFR framework from A2 (high beginner) to C1 (advanced).

In practice, test takers include:

• High school or university students looking to meet graduation or admission requirements
• Professionals seeking English certification for jobs or licensure (especially in healthcare)
• People applying for visas in the United States, Australia, and other countries
• Anyone who wants an official, globally recognized certificate of their English proficiency
  

Why it matters

The MET certificate opens doors in several ways:

• University: Many colleges and universities accept MET results for admission and scholarships.
• Work: Employers and professional licensing bodies, especially in healthcare, use MET to verify English skills.
• Visas: Some immigration programs, such as U.S. healthcare occupational visas and Australian visa applications, accept MET scores.
• Certification: Having a standardized English certificate at CEFR A2–C1 levels strengthens your profile for both academic and professional growth.

MET Test Structure

The Michigan English Test is designed to measure how well you can use English in real life. The full version tests all four skills—Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking—and takes about 155 minutes to complete. Each section is scored separately (0–80 scale), then averaged into an overall score.

Listening

• Duration: 35 minutes
• Format: 3 parts, 50 multiple-choice questions
• Tasks:
  • Short conversations with one follow-up question (19 questions)
  • Longer conversations with multiple questions each followed by 3 to 5 MCQs (14 questions total)
  • Short talks (such as lectures or announcements), each followed by 3 to 4 MCQs (total 17 questions)

This section checks how well you understand both casual conversations and more structured spoken English. You’ll need to identify main ideas, details, tone, and purpose.

Reading

• Duration: 65 minutes
• Format: 3 parts, 50 multiple-choice questions
• Tasks:
  • Grammar: complete the sentence with the correct option (20 questions)
  • Single-text reading: 2 short passages with 5 questions each (total 10 questions)
  • Multiple-text reading: sets of 3 passages on a related topic, with 10 questions per set (2 sets, total 20 questions)

This part tests your ability to read and understand both academic and everyday texts. It mixes grammar knowledge with reading comprehension.

Writing

• Duration: 45 minutes
• Format: 2 parts
• Tasks:
  • Part 1: Write short responses to three questions
  • Part 2: Write an essay (multi-paragraph, supporting your ideas with reasons and examples)

The Writing section shows how clearly you can express ideas in written English, with attention to grammar, vocabulary, organization, and development of arguments.

Speaking

• Duration: About 10 minutes
• Format: 5 tasks, each with time limits (60–90 seconds per response)
• Tasks include:
  • Describing a picture (60 seconds)
  • Talking about a personal experience (60 seconds)
  • Giving an opinion (60 seconds)
  • Discussing advantages and disadvantages of a situation (90 seconds)
  • Justifying an opinion to a person of authority (90 seconds)

This section measures fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary, and your ability to organize thoughts under time pressure.

Difference Between 2-Skill and 4-Skill Versions

Originally, MET was available in two formats: 2-skill (Listening and Reading only) and 4-skill (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). The 2-skill version was widely used by schools and workplaces for quick certification of comprehension ability.

However, since January 2021, the 2-skill MET has been phased out. Now, the 4-skill version is the standard, since it gives a more complete picture of English ability.

Scoring System & CEFR Levels

MET Score Scale Explained

The MET uses a scaled score from 0 to 80 for each section: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Your overall score is the average of these four.

Multiple-choice sections (Listening & Reading) are computer-scored, while the Writing and Speaking are scored by trained raters who use detailed rubrics.

Your score report comes with both section scores and the overall average, plus their corresponding CEFR levels.

What Your Level Means

There’s no universal “pass” or “fail” in MET. Instead, your results show where you stand on the CEFR scale. That makes it flexible—universities, employers, and visa offices can set their own minimum score requirements.

Here’s how your level is typically interpreted:

• A2 (High Beginner): You can handle simple, everyday situations in English.
• B1 (Intermediate): You manage work, school, and travel interactions fairly well.
• B2 (High Intermediate): You can express yourself with confidence in most settings.
• C1 (Advanced): You can use English fluently and effectively, even in complex or professional situations.

So, instead of worrying about passing or failing, think of MET as a way to “place” your skills on the global language ladder.

Conversions to CEFR

MET scores map directly onto CEFR levels. Here’s the official scale:

MET Score	CEFR Level	Description
64–80	C1 (Advanced)	Can understand demanding texts and communicate fluently
53–63	B2 (High Intermediate)	Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity
40–52	B1 (Intermediate)	Can deal with most situations likely to arise while traveling or working
27–39	A2 (High Beginner)	Can communicate in simple and routine tasks
0–26	Below A2	Insufficient for official CEFR recognition

Who Accepts the MET Scores?

Institutions and Countries

The MET is recognized by a growing list of universities, colleges, employers, and government agencies worldwide. Some key uses include:

• Universities and colleges: Many institutions in the U.S., Canada, and other English-speaking countries accept MET results for admission, placement, or graduation requirements.
• Employers: Companies use MET certification to confirm English proficiency, especially in international roles.
• Healthcare licensing: MET is accepted for occupational visas in the U.S. for healthcare professionals and for Australian visa purposes.
• Scholarships: Some programs require MET results as proof of English ability.

Since policies vary, it’s always best to check directly with the institution or agency you’re applying to. Michigan Language Assessment maintains an up-to-date list of recognizing organizations on their site.

How MET Compares to IELTS, TOEFL, ECCE, and ECPE

• IELTS: IELTS Academic is often seen as the “gold standard” for university entry worldwide. MET is shorter and multilevel (A2–C1), while IELTS covers a wider range (A1–C2). For admissions, many universities that accept MET treat it as equivalent to IELTS bands 4.5–8 (depending on your score).
  
• TOEFL : Like IELTS, TOEFL is widely recognized for academic purposes. TOEFL is longer and more academic in style, while MET focuses on practical communication and everyday English.
  
• ECCE (Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English): This is another test from Michigan Language Assessment but aimed at a fixed level (B2). MET, being multilevel, is more flexible because it shows whether you’re A2, B1, B2, or C1.
  
• ECPE (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English): Also from Michigan, this is targeted at C2 (proficiency). If you’re aiming for top-level certification, ECPE is the one. MET doesn’t go beyond C1, so it’s better for people who don’t need “native-like” certification.

In short, MET is more flexible and faster than IELTS/TOEFL but slightly less universally recognized. Compared to ECCE/ECPE, it’s broader in level coverage, but not designed for the very highest proficiency band (C2).

Exam Format

Reading section: 

The Reading and Grammar section of the MET has 50 questions in total, to be finished in 65 minutes. It combines both grammar and reading comprehension tasks. 

Within the reading part, there are three main formats of questions:

I. Grammar (20 fill-in-the-blank style questions )

II. Reading long passages (2 passages, 5 questions per passage)

III. Reading Advertorial (two sets of 3 related-adverts having 10 questions each)

Now let’s see the question formats that are asked: 

Grammar (20 questions)

Grammar questions primarily test your knowledge of tenses, sentence structure, prepositions and other parts of speech. Here are few sample grammar questions you might encounter in a Michigan English Test (MET): 

1. The teacher reminded the students that they must hand in their assignments ______ Friday morning.
   A. at
   B. by
   C. on
   D. until

2. He didn’t know the answer, ______ he pretended to be confident.
   A. although
   B. because
   C. so that
   D. even if

3. If you had called me earlier, I ______ able to help you with your project.
   A. am
   B. will be
   C. would have been
   D. was

Answers: 

1. B (by)
2. A (although)
3. C (would have been)

Reading long passage (10 questions)

In the MET reading section, you’ll get two passages, each about 300–350 words long, with five questions to answer for each. The passages test how well you can understand the main idea, follow the writer’s argument, and see how different points connect. You’ll also need to pick up on tone, context, and reasoning used by the author.

On top of that, the questions check whether you know enough vocabulary to make sense of words in the passage, not just on their own.

Here’s a sample 300-word reading passage and 5 questions you might encounter in a MET test: 

Passage: This passage is about the rise of electric buses in cities.

Over the past decade, many major cities around the world have introduced electric buses into their public transportation systems. Unlike traditional diesel buses, which release significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants, electric buses operate quietly and without tailpipe emissions. This shift is partly driven by growing concerns about climate change and the poor air quality in urban areas.

City officials also view electric buses as a long-term investment. Although their upfront cost is higher than that of diesel buses, electric models often prove cheaper to operate over time because electricity costs less than diesel fuel and maintenance needs are reduced. For example, electric buses do not require oil changes, and their engines have fewer moving parts that could fail.

However, the adoption of electric buses has not been without challenges. Charging infrastructure is expensive to build, and in many places, the available technology cannot yet support continuous, around-the-clock operation. This limitation has forced some cities to run mixed fleets of both electric and diesel buses until their charging networks are expanded.

Despite these challenges, the number of electric buses on the road continues to grow. Commuters often report appreciating the quieter rides, while governments highlight the environmental benefits. Experts predict that as battery technology improves and costs fall, electric buses will eventually become the default option for public transport in most cities.

Questions

1. What is the main reason cities are investing in electric buses?
A. To reduce fuel imports
B. To improve air quality and reduce emissions
C. To replace outdated rail systems
D. To save money immediately

2. Why are electric buses considered cost-effective in the long run?
A. They can carry more passengers.
B. They last longer than diesel buses.
C. They need less maintenance and cheaper fuel.
D. They are subsidized by the government.

3. What problem currently prevents cities from using only electric buses?
A. Lack of skilled drivers
B. Unreliable battery technology
C. High passenger demand
D. Limited charging infrastructure

4. How do passengers benefit from electric buses besides environmental impact?
A. Faster travel times
B. Lower ticket prices
C. Quieter rides
D. More frequent services

5. Based on the passage, what will most likely happen in the future?
A. Diesel buses will remain dominant.
B. Electric buses will replace diesel buses.
C. Rail networks will decline.
D. Governments will abandon bus transport.

Answers

1. B
2. C
3. D
4. C
5. B

Reading (Advertorial or magazine report)

In this part of the test, you’ll get two different sets of three short advertorials or magazine-style reports. Each set comes with ten questions.

This section checks if you can quickly compare information, notice small details, and understand the purpose or message behind each piece. It also tests how well you can spot similarities and differences between the texts and pick out the information that really matters.

A sample example of such test is reproduced below from the official sample test papers from Michigan English Test website: 

2. Listening section

The listening section has a total of 50 questions that must be completed in 35 minutes. It is divided into three parts, each based on different audio recordings. You’ll hear short exchanges, longer conversations, and a final extended talk or lecture.

After listening, you’ll answer questions that test how well you understood not only the words but also the ideas, tone, and purpose behind them. Since the audios are played only once, staying focused from start to finish is essential.

The questions in this part of the test are mostly inferential, which means you won’t usually find the correct answer written exactly as it was said in the audio. Instead, you’ll need to figure it out from the meaning.

For example, imagine the speakers say:

Woman: I can’t believe the train’s delayed again. At this rate, I’ll miss the meeting.
Man: Why don’t you take a cab? It’ll cost more, but you’ll get there on time.

Now, the question might be:

The exact word “taxi” may not have been said (the man said “cab”), so you’d need to recognize that “cab” and “taxi” mean the same thing.

Part 1 (short conversations, 19 questions)

In the first listening task, you’ll hear 19 short conversations between two people. After each one, you’ll answer a single question based on what you just heard, making this part a total of 19 questions. The conversations are only about 12–16 seconds long, and they’re played once only, so you have to listen very carefully.

After each conversation, there’s a 10-second pause for you to read the question and mark your answer. For example, a question might ask: “What does the man want to do?” or “Where are the speakers planning to go?”

Even though the question is read aloud in the audio, you’ll also see the question and its options written on the page in front of you. The options are not spoken in the recording, so you’ll need to read them yourself during the 10-second pause. This makes it important to stay alert and divide your attention between listening carefully and quickly scanning the choices.

Let’s see two samples of conversations and questions based on them.

Conversation 1 —

Woman: The lights went out again last night.
Man: Really? That’s the third time this week.
Woman: Yes, and it ruined my online meeting with a client.
Man: You should think about getting a backup generator.

Q 1: What problem is the woman facing?
a) Noise from the generator
b) Frequent power cuts
c) Slow internet connection
d) Late client meetings

Answer: b) frequent power cuts

[ 10 seconds gap…. ]

Conversation 2 —

Man: The supermarket was packed today.
Woman: Was something special going on?
Man: Yes, they had a big sale on household items.
Woman: That explains why my neighbor came home with so many bags.

Question 2: Why was the supermarket crowded?
a) People were shopping for the holidays
b) There was a discount event
c) The weather was very hot
d) A new supermarket had opened nearby

[10 seconds gap…]

And so on… till 19 questions.

Answers: 

1. b) frequent power cuts
2. b) There was a discount event

Part 2 (Long conversations, 14 questions)

In this part of the listening test, you’ll hear four longer conversations, each lasting about 45–60 seconds. For every conversation, you’ll answer 3–4 questions. Just like before, the audio is played once only, so you won’t get a second chance to hear it. You’re, however, allowed to take notes in your test booklet while listening, which can help you catch important details.

This section tests how well you can follow the flow of a longer exchange, understand the speakers’ opinions or intentions, and remember specific details such as times, places, or reasons. It’s not just about hearing words, but about catching meaning, tone, and context.

Here’s an example of what one conversation and its questions might look like:

Conversation (approx. 55 seconds):

Emma: Did you notice how late Daniel was today?

Liam: Yeah, he walked in almost halfway through the meeting.

Emma: That’s unusual for him. He’s normally the first one to arrive.

Liam: True. When I asked, he just said the trains were unpredictable this morning.

Emma: Makes sense. He lives far from the office, doesn’t he?

Liam: About an hour away, I think. Still, he looked exhausted, like it wasn’t just the commute.

Emma: I wonder if he’s been working late. The new project deadlines are brutal.

Liam: Could be. Either way, the manager didn’t seem too pleased with him showing up that late.

Questions (Inferential):

Q. 1: Why did Emma find Daniel’s lateness surprising?
a) He usually leaves home late
b) He is known for being punctual
c) He forgot about the meeting
d) He was asked to arrive late

Q. 2: What might have contributed to Daniel’s tired appearance?
a) A long commute and heavy workload
b) An argument with his manager
c) Forgetting to eat breakfast
d) Oversleeping on purpose

Q. 3: What can we infer about the manager’s reaction?
a) The manager excused Daniel immediately
b) The manager ignored his lateness
c) The manager was unhappy with his tardiness
d) The manager encouraged him to rest

Q. 4: What does the conversation suggest about the new project?
a) It requires minimal effort
b) It has tight deadlines causing stress
c) It is already completed
d) It was postponed indefinitely

Answers: 

1. b) He is known for being punctual
2. a) A long commute and heavy workload
3. c) The manager was unhappy with his tardiness
4. b) It has tight deadlines causing stress
   

Part 3 (Short talks such as lectures/announcements, 17 questions)

In this part of the listening test, you’ll hear four short talks, which could be a lecture, announcement, speech, report, or narration. Each talk is followed by 3–5 multiple-choice questions.

This section checks how well you can understand the main points, pick out important details, and follow the speaker’s purpose or message. It also tests your ability to make connections and draw conclusions from what you hear, rather than just remembering exact words.

Here’s an example of a set followed by 4 questions: 

A sample lecture about ‘how ships changed our worldview’ (about 90 seconds):

When we think of the earliest ships, we often imagine small wooden vessels hugging the coastline, too fragile to face the open sea. But for the Greeks and other early cultures, even these modest ships changed how people understood the world. Traders and explorers sailed farther than before, connecting scattered communities around the Aegean and Mediterranean. They discovered that winds and currents could carry them to places they had never seen, and this encouraged the idea that the world was larger and more varied than their villages suggested.

Over time, these journeys revealed the existence of islands, peninsulas, and unfamiliar coastlines, gradually shaping maps and geographic theories. The Greeks, in particular, began to ask big questions: Was the earth flat or round? How far did the sea extend? They learned that different regions produced different goods—like grain from Egypt or olive oil from Greece—which also linked geography with trade and survival.

So, those early ships were not just tools for travel or commerce. They acted as instruments of knowledge. By venturing across uncertain waters, sailors turned observation into understanding, and their voyages laid the foundation for later advances in geography, astronomy, and navigation.

Questions:

1. What was one indirect outcome of early sea voyages?
a) Farmers abandoned agriculture
b) Villages began asking larger questions about the world
c) The Greeks stopped using maps
d) Ships were no longer used for trade

2. Why did geography become linked with survival?
a) Access to resources depended on knowing where they were located
b) People wanted to decorate maps for fun
c) Navigation was seen as a religious ritual
d) Geography classes were introduced in schools

3. What motivated early sailors to risk uncertain waters?
a) Desire for exploration and trade opportunities
b) Pressure from governments to collect taxes
c) A need to test if ships could fly
d) To avoid farming responsibilities

4. What broader impact did the use of early ships have beyond transportation?
a) They completely eliminated cultural exchanges
b) They served as a way to advance knowledge and theories about the earth
c) They caused people to stop questioning the shape of the earth
d) They reduced curiosity about distant lands

Answers:

1. b) Villages began asking larger questions about the world
2. a) Access to resources depended on knowing where they were located
3. a) Desire for exploration and trade opportunities
4. b) They served as a way to advance knowledge and theories about the earth
   

3. Writing section

The writing section of the exam checks how well a student can express ideas clearly and structure sentences correctly. You have 45 minutes to complete two tasks.

The first task asks you to write short responses to three questions. The second task requires you to write an essay. There’s no strict word limit, but you are expected to write about one to two pages.

Here’s a sample of this section (with questions and answers), straight from the MET’s official writing resource:

The Writing section shows how clearly you can express ideas in written English, with attention to grammar, vocabulary, organization, and development of arguments.

4. Speaking section

As per the official Michigan Assessment website: 

The speaking section of the Michigan English Test (MET) is approximately ten minutes long and has multiple stages that build on each other.

Part 1 – Related to an image

The first three stages are related to a situation presented in a picture.

• Stage 1: Describe a situation presented in a picture (60 seconds).
• Stage 2: Talk about a personal experience related to the situation in the picture (60 seconds).
• Stage 3: Give a personal opinion about a topic presented in the picture (60 seconds).

Part 2 – Related to a given situation

• Stage 4: Explain the advantages and disadvantages of a given situation (90 seconds).
• Stage 5: Give an opinion and provide convincing arguments on a new topic (90 seconds).

Timing and format

Test takers will hear the prompts for each stage and will see them on the screen; they will then record their responses immediately after each prompt as the audio recording starts automatically. Test takers have one chance to record each response. 

For more information on all four skill sections of MET, you can visit the MET details page.

Resources

You can find 2 free sample papers on the official website of Michigan Assessment. For more practice material, you would require to purchase study material from their website.

You can find a vocabulary list of 95 high frequency words of MET here.

Quick FAQ summary

How long is the Michigan English Test (MET)?
155 minutes (2 hours 35 minutes).

What skills does it test?
Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking.

What’s the score range?
0–80 per section, with an overall average. Your score is mapped to CEFR levels A2–C1.

How soon do results come?
Usually within 5 days.

Do results expire?
No, but universities and employers may set their own validity period.