TOEIC the comprehensive English Language Test
Introduction to TOEIC
TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) is an English proficiency test, outlined to evaluate the linguistic ability of candidate who intended to work across the borders.
Though TOEIC is a North American Business English Exam, initially it was developed in Japan.
The TOEIC exam is first conducted in 1979 but the test was redesigned in 2007 and called to be “the new TOEIC exam”
The first revised version of the TOEIC exam was conducted in Japan and South Korea.
Before moving further let’s get aware of the format of TOEIC exam offered by ETS (Educational Testing Service)
TOEIC test format
There are 2 parts to the TOEIC exam; the TOEIC Listening & Reading Test i.e. a comprehension assessment total of 990 scores
The other is the TOEIC Speaking & Writing Test. The TOEIC speaking test evaluates your pronunciation, intonation, vocabulary, and grammar whereas TOEIC Writing Test evaluates grammar, cohesion, paraphrasing, and relevancy of sentences to the picture.
Though it is not mandatory to take both the TOEIC exams but they are designed to complement each other.
Now let’s discuss both the TOEIC types in detail.
TOEIC in 1 Minute
TOEIC® Listening & Reading Test
The TOEIC® listening and reading test conducted by pen and paper means which most probably evaluates your oral and written skills.
The candidates have 45 minutes to complete TOEIC listening section, and 75 minutes to complete TOEIC Reading Test.
Let’s get an overview of TOEFL® Listening & Reading Test.
| Section | Content | Total Questions | Time | Points |
| Listening | 4 exercises based on audio excerpts | 100 Questions | 45 minutes | 495 |
| Reading | 4 exercises based on written excerpts. | 100 Questions | 75 minutes | 495 |
Given Time Limit for the TOEIC exam
The TOEIC® Listening & Reading Test is a complete 2 hours and 30 minutes that is separated into 3 different sets:
- 45 minutes for Section 1: TOEIC® Listening Test.
- 75 minutes for Section 2: TOEIC® Reading Test.
- Left 30 minutes to answer biographical questions.
Test Content of TOEIC® Listening & Reading Exam
Section 1: Listening Test (45 minutes)
In this assessment, candidates are made to listen to a variety of questions and short conversations, that is recorded in English after which they have to answer the questions (100 in total) on the basis of recording they have heard.
The question section is divided into four parts which apparently starts simple and with every progressive step reach the higher level of difficulty.
- Part 1: Photographs Prompts
- Part 2: Question-Response Dialogues
- Part 3: Conversations
- Part 4: Short talks
However, the content of the above-mentioned parts is based on common business and work scenario, such as making appointments, meetings, sales etc.
After getting familiar with the TOEIC Listening Section, let’s move to the TOEIC Reading Section.
Section 2: Reading Test (75 minutes)
In this assessment, candidates read a variety of texts and need to respond to the questions according to them. (100 Questions)
The test has 3 parts which are in continuation with the above parts in the Listening Test.
- Part 5: Incomplete sentences
- Part 6: Text Completion
- Part 7: Reading Comprehension.
TOEIC® Listening and Reading Score Range
In TOEIC® Listening and Reading Test, the candidates receive independent scores for both the sections i.e. Listening & Reading individually.
The score usually ranges from 5 to 495 points. After which the total score adds up to a scale from 10 to 990 points.
Though we are already aware of the TOEIC® Listening & Reading Test, let’s get to know about the other type of the same exam i.e. TOEIC® Speaking & Writing Test
TOEIC ® Speaking & Writing Test
The TOEIC® Speaking & Writing a test that usually evaluates your English language skills on the routine basis and at the workplace.
Candidate needs to respond to the questions in the means of speaking and writing them.
The speaking and writing test is taken individually in the manner stated below.
Test format of TOEIC® Speaking Test
The TOEIC® Speaking test contains 11 questions that last for approximately 20 minutes and score ranges between 0-200.
As we know, the test is 20 minutes assessment and the 11 questions you need to answer, will be given with specific instructions that include from the time held to the speaking response.
Below is an overview of 11 Questions.
| Questions | Task | Description |
| 1-2 | Read a text aloud | ● You need to read the text out loud on the screen.
● Then you will get further 45 seconds. ● After that, you will get more 45 seconds to read the text loud again. |
| 3 | Describe a picture | ● With as much detail as you can, you need to describe the picture on your screen.
● Then after that, you will get 30 seconds to prepare yourself. ● Then you will have 45 seconds to speak about the picture. |
| 4-6 | Respond to questions | ● In this, no preparation time is given, and you have to answer three questions.
● You will get 15 seconds, to respond to question 4 and 5. ● And then you will have 30 seconds to respond to question 6. |
| 7-9 | Respond to questions using the information provided. | ● You will answer three questions based on the information provided.
● Before the question begins, you will get 30 seconds to read the information. ● You will have 15 seconds to respond to questions 7 and 8 ● Then you will have 30 seconds to respond to question 9 |
| 10 | Propose a solution | ● You will be given a problem and asked a proposition.
● You will get 30 seconds to prepare your response. ● Then you will get 60 seconds to speak. |
| 11 | Express an opinion | ● You will have to give an opinion about a specific topic.
● You will have 15 seconds to prepare your response. ● Then you will have 60 seconds to speak. |
TOEIC® Speaking Test Score Range
The answer is digitally recorded and then sent to ETS for further marking.
The first four tasks are scaled between a range of 0-3 and the final two on a scale of 0-5.
Then at the last, the sum of all the score is then converted to an overall score of 0-200.
Test format of TOEIC® Writing Test
The TOEIC® Writing Test contains 8 questions that last for approximately 60 minutes and score ranges between 0-200.
Below is an overview of 8 questions:
| Questions | Task | Description |
| 1-5 | Write a sentence based on a picture | ● You will write one sentence that is based on the picture.
● You will be given 2 words or phrases, that must use in a sentence. ● You can alter the words and you can use the words in any order. |
| 6-7 | Respond to a written request | ● You will show how well you can write an email off.
● You will get 10 minutes to read and answer each email. |
| 8 | Write an opinion essay | ● You will ask to write an essay in response to state your opinion on any issue.
● The essay must contain a minimum of 300 words. |
TOEIC® Writing Test Score Range
Like Speaking test, the answers of Writing test is also sent to ETS.
The first task type (Questions 1-5) is rated on a scale of 0-3, the second type (Question 6-7) from 0-4, and the last task one (Question 8) is from 0-5
Later the sum of all scores is then converted, as with the speaking, to an overall score that ranges between 0-200.
Besides, this standardized TOEIC test offered by ETS, there is one more way to give TOEIC exam i.e. TOEIC Institutional Exam Test.
Let’s get aware of this particular TOEIC offered by Institutional organizations themselves.
TOEIC Institutional Program Test
Besides, the standardized TOEIC test offered by ETS (Education Testing System), companies for their own staff arranges on-site TOEIC test in company premises.
Though it is not a ‘Secure Program’ test, taken at the test location offered by ETS. But this is a way many companies choose to evaluate the English language skills of their staff.
It works as an excellent recruitment and language auditing tool.
After getting aware of this test, let’s get to know about the TOEIC fees.
TOEIC Fees
Though the test centres set the bar of TOEIC fees, it does vary from country to country.
But if we talk about the expected dollars to take this TOEIC exam is $85.
Global Acceptance
Presently, TOEIC test score is used by over more than 14,000 companies, government agencies and English Language Learning Programme in 120 countries.
This is one of the reasons which is raising TOEIC popularity, this can be evidently seen by the data recorded of more than 7 million TOEIC test takers in 2017 that includes 1.5 million of test takers in Japan.
In this article, we have discussed the TOEIC, its two types, their content and format, time limit, score range and of course, it’s fees.
Now, after reading this article we can assume that your every query about the very same exam has been cleared.
So, if you are intended to work overseas, or wanted to enhance your resume this is the best exam you can rely upon and take it.
All the best for your journey ahead!
