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TOEIC Exam: Full Form, Format, Scores & Uses

Updated on 15 November, 2023

Pragya Sharma

Pragya Sharma

Sr. Content Editor

Have you heard of the TOEIC exam? Did you know that over 7 million people worldwide take the TOEIC exam each year, making it the world's most popular English language examination? More than 14,000 employers and academic institutions in more than 160 countries accept this exam. TOEIC full form is the Test of English for International Communication. This article delves deeper into this prestigious exam.

TOEIC Exam: Key Highlights

The TOEIC exam evaluates a person's proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English in various professional and work environments. The American nonprofit organization ETS conducts the TOEIC test. This is the same body that conducts the TOEFL, another standardized English test aimed towards a more academic audience. Let’s discuss the highlights of the TOEIC test:

Content Details
  • Exam Name     
TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
  • Exam Type 
Standardized English Language Proficiency Test
  • Sections 
Two
  • Scoring                      
Score range: 10 to 990 points 
  • Duration                     
Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes
  • Validity                     
Two years       
  • Test Format                  
Multiple-choice questions            
  • Purpose                     
Assess English language skills in a professional context.

TOEIC: Exam Sections

The TOEIC Speaking and Writing (TOEIC S&W) and the TOEIC Listening and Reading (TOEIC L&R) elements make up the TOEIC exam. Different linguistic abilities are evaluated in each section:

TOEIC L&R: Listening and Reading

  • Listening comprehension: Your comprehension of spoken English, including conversations, talks, and discussions, is assessed in this area. You will be asked to respond to questions after listening to audio recordings. This section tests your capacity to comprehend spoken English in diverse professional contexts.
  • Reading comprehension: You will read a variety of written content in this section, including articles, reports, and advertising. After this, you'll respond to questions to show you comprehend the texts. This component evaluates your reading abilities, especially your capacity for comprehending written English in a business setting.

Another 30 minutes are allotted to answer a few biographical questions. The total time for the TOEIC L&R exam is 2.5 hours.

TOEIC S&W: Speaking and Writing

  • Speaking: The speaking test evaluates your spoken English skills. Your replies will be logged and evaluated as you react to questions and prompts. This part could ask you to describe an image, express your opinion on a particular topic, and answer some questions.
  • Writing: Your written communication is assessed in the TOEIC Exam’s writing part. It contains tasks that call for you to write brief essays, emails, or responses to queries.

Usually, the TOEIC S&W part takes one hour and twenty minutes to complete. You can take the Speaking and Writing tests together or individually. 

The test offers an accurate and comprehensive English proficiency assessment when combined with the TOEIC Listening and Writing examination.

Exam Pattern for Different TOEIC Sections

Listening and Reading Section

SectionNumber of questionsMarks Per questionTotal marks Duration
Listening Comprehension 100110045 minutes
Reading Comprehension100110075 minutes
Total2002002 hrs 30 minutes 

Speaking and Writing Section

SectionNo. of questionsMarks per questionTotal marksDuration
Speaking 11

Scale

 ( 0-180)

0-18020 minutes
Writing8

Scale 

(0-180)

0-18060 minutes
Total190-3601hr 20 mins 

The total TOEIC S&W score, which can be between 0 and 360 points, is determined by assessing the Speaking and Writing sections separately and then adding them together. The overall TOEIC score, ranging from 10 to 990 points, is calculated by adding the scores from the TOEIC L&R and TOEIC S&W parts together. 

TOEIC Syllabus

The TOEIC exam includes a wide range of subjects to evaluate your English language skills. Here is a quick summary of what each subject's key points are:

TOEIC L&R: Listening and Reading

-Listening comprehension

  • Conversations involving two or more persons
  • Discussions of concerns relating to work
  • Talks and discussions on various subjects
  • Phone announcements and messages

-Reading comprehension

  • Business papers and reports
  • Advertising pieces and product details
  • Emails and written correspondence regarding work
  • Instructions and manuals for writing

TOEIC S&W: Speaking and Writing

-Speaking

  • Explaining a graph or image
  • Stating preferences and opinions
  • Replying to questions concerning daily activities
  • Outlining a procedure or series of actions

-Writing

  • Composing emails for work and business
  • Providing concise justifications in response to inquiries and commands
  • Expressing views and justifications in writing
  • Putting information from numerous sources into a summary

TOEIC vs. TOEFL

Although both the TOEFL and the TOEIC are assessments of English language competency, they have different objectives. The reading, listening, speaking, and writing portions of the TOEFL are the main areas of attention as they determine a person's preparation for higher education or undergraduate programs. On the contrary, TOEIC emphasizes business-related communication skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing and is intended for use in professional setups. 

The TOEIC exam is an excellent resource for anybody looking to prove their English language ability professionally as it assesses a person's proficiency in understanding and using English in the corporate world. You may efficiently study for this exam and increase your chances of success by comprehensively understanding the TOEIC syllabus.


 

FAQs

Q) Is there any online TOEIC exam?

A)  Yes, there are online versions of the TOEIC exam that may be taken remotely. But depending on the area, test availability and format could differ.

Q) How long is the TOEIC score valid?

A) Although the validity of TOEIC results is normally two years, it is a good idea to check with the individual organization or institution you are submitting your scores since their policies may differ.

Q) Are there any limitations on the ages of those who can take the TOEIC test?

A) There are no stated age requirements for taking the TOEIC exam, so the answer is no. People of all ages who want to gauge their English language proficiency are welcome to take it.

Q) How frequently is the TOEIC exam conducted in a year?

A) The TOEIC test is normally provided all year long at accredited testing facilities. For particular test dates, see the ETS (Educational Testing Service) website or get in touch with your neighborhood testing facility.

Q) What is a suitable TOEIC rating?

A) The TOEIC score you need will depend on your objectives. The widely accepted view is that a score of 700 or higher is a strong measure of English ability.

Q)How do I get ready for the TOEIC test?

A) Utilizing the official TOEIC study materials, taking practice exams, and opting for TOEIC study courses or guides are effective ways to prepare for the TOEIC exam. Additionally, reading, listening, and speaking more will help you develop your general command of the English language.

Q)If I'm unsatisfied with my TOEIC exam result, may I retake it?

A) Yes, you are permitted to retake the TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) exam as often as you like. However, you might have to wait for some time (often seven days) between attempts. It is crucial to confirm the retake policies of any organizations or testing facilities you plan to take.

Pragya Sharma

Sr. Content Editor

Pragya Sharma is a content developer and marketer with 6.5+ years of experience in the education industry. She started her career as a social media copywriter for NIELIT, Ministry of Electronics & IT, and has now scaled up as a 360-degree content professional well-versed with the intricacies of digital marketing and different forms of content used to drive and hook the target audience. She is also a co-author of 2 stories in an anthology based on the theme- women empowerment.

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