With late-October UASA papers postponed because of the haze, schools are setting new dates. Parents ask: what is in the English paper?
It is a written paper of 1 hour 15 minutes, worth 50 marks, in seven parts.
Five parts test reading and language (25 marks), and two test writing (25 marks).
Below is the UASA English format part by part, then templates for the two writing tasks.
Key points
- Format: 1 hour 15 minutes, 50 marks, seven parts, the same for Years 4, 5 and 6.
- Writing is half the marks: Part 6 short message (10), Part 7 notes expansion (15).
- In 2026, Year 4 English is assessed through MPT4 (the Examinations Board’s Year 4 assessment), so UASA English is mainly for Years 5 and 6.
- No official word limits or marking schemes are published; follow the school’s paper.
Last updated: 28 October 2026
What are the seven parts of UASA English?
UASA (Ujian Akhir Sesi Akademik) is the end-of-year test each school sets. The 2025 UASA format for Years 4–6, published by Lembaga Peperiksaan (LP, the Examinations Board), lists these seven parts:
| Part | What it tests |
|---|---|
| Part 1 5 marks | Short texts, multiple choice: 5 questions |
| Part 2 4 marks | Lexico-grammar cloze (fill in the missing words), multiple choice: 4 questions |
| Part 3 5 marks | Linear or non-linear text (a passage or a chart), multiple choice: 5 questions |
| Part 4 6 marks | Matching multiple texts: 6 questions |
| Part 5 5 marks | Word completion: 5 questions |
| Part 6 10 marks | Guided writing, a short message: 1 question |
| Part 7 15 marks | Notes expansion, a longer message: 1 question |
In other words, reading and language are 25 marks and writing is 25 marks. Each school sets its own UASA paper, so the questions differ, but all follow this format.
Other official details:
- Level: questions are set at CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) A1–A2. The levels rise in order: the curriculum sets Year 4 at A1 High, Year 5 at A2 Low and Year 6 at A2 Mid.
- Marking: Dikotomus (right or wrong), Analitikal (marks for each criterion) and Holistik (one overall score for the whole answer).
- School types: English has one format for SK (national), SJKC (Chinese-medium) and SJKT (Tamil-medium) schools.
Which year groups sit UASA English in 2026?
Mainly Years 5 and 6. LP’s MPT4 FAQ (version 2, 4 September 2026) says pupils are exempt from UASA in subjects already assessed through MPT4.
In 2026, Year 4 English is assessed through MPT4 (Matriks Pembelajaran Tahun 4) instead, and MPT4 English has no notes expansion. Under the current format, if your child is in Year 4 now, they will meet it in the Year 5 UASA English paper next year, so it is worth practising early.
For the bigger picture on MPT4 and UASA, read MPT4 vs UASA: What Is the Difference? The UASA Bahasa Melayu Format for Years 4–6.
What do the two writing tasks ask for?
Part 6 asks for a short message (10 marks), and Part 7 asks your child to expand given notes into a longer piece (15 marks). Each has one question.
Are there official word limits and marking schemes?
None are published. LP’s UASA management guide says each school prepares both the paper and its marking guide, and the format document gives no word counts.
So word limits and marking follow the school’s paper. The “UASA skema” (marking scheme) files shared online are not official LP marking schemes.
What does the curriculum expect in writing?
The English curriculum (DSKP, Dokumen Standard Kurikulum dan Pentaksiran) from KPM (Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia, the Ministry of Education) sets these writing goals for Years 4 and 5:
- Year 4: guided writing of one paragraph; give reasons for simple opinions, respond to invitations, describe routines and people.
- Year 5: independent writing of one or two paragraphs; narrate events, give advice, describe people, places and objects.
Which writing templates can my child practise?
For Part 6, use three steps: opening, body, closing. For Part 7, write point by point, in order, and join the sentences. These are YouSeed’s practice templates, not an official marking scheme; in the exam, your child should read the task and any word limit first.
Part 6: short message template
- Opening: greet and say why you are writing, for example “Hi Amy, I am writing to invite you to …”.
- Body: one sentence for each prompt in the task, each with a reason (because …).
- Closing: one closing line, such as “See you on Saturday!”, then a name.
Example (written by us, not an exam task): “Hi Amy, I am having a birthday party on Saturday. Can you come? We can play games together because it is fun. See you on Saturday! Love, Mei”
Part 7: notes expansion template
- Point by point: turn each note into one or two sentences.
- In order: link events with “First”, “Then”, “After that” and “Finally”.
- Join sentences: use “and”, “but”, “so” and “because”, and replace repeated names with “he”, “she”, “it” or “they”.
- Ending: add one line about a feeling or result, such as “I felt very happy.”
- Check: is every note used? Does each sentence start with a capital letter and end with a full stop?
How is UASA English different from MPT4 English?
Both are 1 hour 15 minutes, 50 marks and CEFR A1–A2; the biggest difference is the writing. The MPT4 details come from LP’s MPT4 English format and sample items (2026).
| UASA English | MPT4 English | |
|---|---|---|
| Parts | 7 | 6 |
| Writing | Short message (10); notes expansion (15) | Writing from a picture (LP’s sample: one paragraph, 40–50 words, 15 marks) |
| Set by | Each school | LP |
| Who | Years 4–6 (Year 4 exempt in 2026) | Year 4 |
How can parents help in the last two weeks?
Our suggestion: a little reading every day, writing practice every other day, and one timed practice paper at the end. Here is how:
- A short text a day: a notice, a poster or a short story, then ask your child one “why” question.
- A short message every other day: use the template above for invitations, replies or daily routines.
- Two notes expansions: give your child four or five notes and have them write one paragraph in order.
- Spelling cards: turn misspelt words into small cards and review them daily.
- One timed paper: use a 75-minute timer and leave enough time for both writing tasks.
FAQ
Is the UASA English format the same for SK and SJKC?
Yes, there is one English format. Each school still sets its own paper, so the questions differ.
Is there a listening or speaking test in UASA English?
The format document lists only a written test: Reading and Use of English, and Writing. It lists no listening or speaking test.
How long should the Part 7 writing be?
The format document sets no word count, so follow the instructions on the paper.
When is UASA 2026?
Each school sets its own UASA dates. According to Bernama, on 15 October KPM postponed the UASA papers set for the following week because of the haze. Each school sets the new dates, so watch for your child’s school notice.
More exam articles: UASA & Exam Guides
Want to know where your child’s English needs work?
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Choosing an online English class? Read How to Choose an Online English Class for Kids: A Parent Checklist.
If your child is weak in English overall, read SJKC Child Weak in English? Find the Gap, Then Try 3 Home Routines.
Sources: Lembaga Peperiksaan UASA and MPT4 documents (2024–2026), KPM English DSKP (2018 and 2020 editions), and Bernama reports.