What is the TOEIC test?

"TOEIC' stands for the Test of English for International Communication. It is a standardized English proficiency test for speakers of English as a second language. The test aims to indicate how well a person can communicate in English in a business or workplace environment.

What is the format of the TOEIC test?

The TOEIC test is a two hour test with 200 multiple choice questions and is divided into 2 main sections: listening and reading. The highest possible score is 990. The TOEIC test, unlike the TOEFL test, is still a paper and pencil test. The TOEIC test also includes a pre-test questionnaire, that asks for your educational and work history.

Section 1: Listening

This section contains 100 questions and is divided into 4 sections. The listening section is 45 minutes long.

1. Photographs: 20 questions
2. Question and Response: 30 questions
3. Short Conversations: 30 questions
4. Short Talks: 20 questions

Section 2: Reading

This section of the test contains 100 questions and is 75 minutes long.

1. Incomplete Sentences: 40 questions
2. Error Recognition: 20 questions
3. Reading Comprehension: 40 questions

Who should take the TOEIC test?

Thousands of businesses and international corporations use the TOEIC test when hiring new employees and/or promoting current staff. Anyone whose current or future employment requires proof of his or her ability to communicate in English should take the TOEIC test.

How should I prepare for the test?

Candidates for the TOEIC test usually prepare for the test in two basic ways; either through self-study or by taking a TOEIC preparation course. A combination of both methods, however, provides students with the best results.

Self-study is convenient and inexpensive, but it can be difficult to find the right resources to study efficiently for the various parts of the test.

A good preparation course will give you the resources and support you need to quickly and efficiently learn the proper methods in order to achieve a high score on the test.

No matter how you decide to study, nothing can substitute hard work and lots of practice. The best results will be achieved when you divide your study time equally between the different skills and take as many practice tests as possible.

 How much time will I need to prepare for the test?

Not everyone needs to achieve the same score on the TOEIC test. Depending on you level of English, you may need to study anywhere from 1 to 3 months. Most schools offer the TOEIC course as a part-time course. The average length of study for a TOEIC course among international students is 3 months.