How to Prepare for the MET Listening Test

This article goes into detail on how you can improve your listening skills for the MET. You will learn about the structure of the test and how you should prepare for it.

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The Listening section of the Michigan English Test (MET) is not just about hearing words. It’s about making sense of conversations, picking up on context, and answering questions that test how well you actually understood what was said.

Structure of MET Listening section

The MET Listening section lasts for 35 minutes and is divided into three distinct parts. Instead of reading, you’ll be listening to audio recordings and then answering questions about what you heard. In total, you’ll answer total of 50 multiple-choice questions.

Audio once played cannot be repeated, so students must listen carefully.

The audios simulate real-life spoken English situations, ranging from casual conversations to formal announcements, so you’re tested on how well you can follow different contexts and speaking styles.

Part 1 features short conversations (15 to 20 seconds each), each followed by a single question. There are 19 questions in this part, and the exchanges are quick, like snippets of everyday dialogue you might hear at a shop, in school, or between friends. 

This part measures your ability to understand casual spoken English and identify key points without getting distracted by extra words.

Part 2 moves into longer conversations, 45 to 60 seconds each. These are more extended back-and-forth dialogues, usually between two speakers, and each is followed by 3 to 5 multiple-choice questions, making a total of 14 questions.

Because these conversations run longer, you’ll need to hold more information in your head and sometimes connect different pieces to understand the bigger picture. This part tests your ability to follow an unfolding discussion, keep track of details, and understand tone, purpose, and implied meaning.

Part 3 presents short talks such as lectures, announcements, or instructions, 80-100 seconds each. After each talk, you’ll answer 3 to 4 questions, with a total of 17 questions in this section. 

This section checks whether you can follow formal spoken English in situations like classrooms, meetings, or public announcements, where clarity and context both matter.

So how do you get better at all of this? By training your ear and brain to work together. Let’s break it down.

Build Your Listening Muscle

The best way to get comfortable with spoken English is to expose yourself to it daily. Think of it like exercise. 

You won’t see results from one heavy workout, but small, steady effort changes everything.

1. Watch English Shows Without Subtitles

Subtitles are a crutch. When you read while listening, your brain leans on the words instead of the sounds. Switch them off. Start with shows that have everyday conversations like Friends, The Office, or Modern Family. You’ll hear casual speech, jokes, interruptions, and slang, the kind of English Part 1 of the test focuses on.

2. Follow English News Channels

News anchors speak clearly and at a steady pace. That helps you catch structure, formal tone, and facts. This style is very close to Part 3 of the test, where you’ll hear announcements or short talks. BBC, CNN, and NPR are great picks.

3. Use YouTube the Smart Way

Pick YouTubers who talk directly to their audience, not ones who just show clips with background music. Look for travel vloggers, tech reviewers, or commentators. They use natural but clear English. The variety of accents on YouTube also helps, since the MET may not necessarily stick to just one.

4. Listen to Podcasts

Podcasts are one of the best tools for improving listening because they cover almost every topic you can imagine. The language is usually natural and conversational, which makes them perfect practice for the MET Listening test. 

They also vary in length, so you can listen to a short 10-minute episode or a longer discussion depending on your schedule. Try listening without pausing and see how much you can follow the first time. Later, you can replay sections to catch details you missed.

Good podcasts to start with:

1. The Daily (The New York Times) – Short, clear discussions on current issues.
2. 6 Minute English (BBC Learning English) – Bite-sized lessons with clear explanations and useful vocabulary.
3. Stuff You Should Know – Friendly conversations on all sorts of topics, from science to history.
4. TED Talks Daily – Short talks on ideas and stories, similar in style to lectures.

5. Listen to Audiobooks

Audiobooks are another excellent way to sharpen your ear. They expose you to longer stretches of spoken English, which is useful for building focus and stamina, exactly what you need for the longer conversations and talks in the test. 

Since audiobooks are read aloud by professional narrators, the pronunciation is clear, but the storytelling keeps it engaging. You can choose easier books first, then move on to more complex ones as your listening improves.

Audiobooks that work well:

1. Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White (narrated by the author) – Simple, clear, and full of everyday English.
2. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle – Good for following detailed stories and tone.
3. Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling (narrated by Stephen Fry) – Rich storytelling, expressive narration.
4. Becoming by Michelle Obama – A modern memoir, with clear, structured speech similar to Part 3 of the test.

Train for the Test Itself

It’s not enough to just “hear” English. You have to prepare the way the test asks you to.

• For short conversations (Part 1): Practice catching the point quickly. The exchange is short, and the question will test whether you understood the gist. Try listening to radio call-ins or podcast snippets where people talk for under a minute. Pause after and ask yourself: What was the main idea?
  
• For longer conversations (Part 2): You’ll need to track details over a few minutes. Practice with interviews or talk shows where two people go back and forth. Jot down keywords as you listen, not full sentences. This keeps you alert without slowing you down.
  
• For short talks (Part 3): Get used to structured listening. Lectures, presentations, or even TED Talks are perfect. These have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Listen for transitions like “however,” “on the other hand,” “in conclusion”—they signal shifts in ideas and will guide you to the answer.

Don’t Just Listen, Interact!

Listening is active, not passive. If you just sit there letting English wash over you, it won’t stick.

Shadowing: Repeat what you hear immediately, imitating tone and speed. This improves memory and helps you pick up intonation.

Summarising: After watching a video or show, explain what you just heard (in English). Even a few sentences help. This will also help you in the speaking section.

Question Yourself: Pretend you’re on the test. After hearing something, ask: What was the main point? What was the speaker’s attitude? Why did they say this?

Final Word

The MET Listening test is 35 minutes, but your preparation is really about building a habit. The more you listen without leaning on subtitles or translations, the sharper your ear gets.

Mix casual shows, news, and YouTube content to cover the full range of styles you’ll face. And when you practice, don’t just let the words pass by. Make sure you’re actively engaging with them.

That way, when the test plays an audio, you won’t just hear English. You’ll truly understand it.