What is the TOEIC Test ?

Why the TOEIC test? The TOEIC test (TEST OF ENGLISH FOR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION) measures proficiency in international Business English, at intermediate and advanced levels. The TOEIC Listening and Reading test is a paper-based one that provides an accurate measurement of the English capabilities of non-native speakers in listening, reading, and grammar. The TOEIC Speaking and Writing tests are Internet-based tests that measure a person's ability to speak and write in English in the workplace, using key expressions and common, everyday vocabulary. The TOEIC test is used as a certification tool in over 5000 international companies across 60 countries, and more than 4.5 million individuals worldwide take the test every year, making it a globally recognized standard of English language measurement. The test:

Provides an objective assessment of workplace English proficiency Is a valuable credential for professionals Offers an internationally-accepted standard of performance Is highly reliable; scores are always accurate and consistent Is reasonably priced Provides rapid score results Provides a continuous scale that allows for monitoring of improvement Provides descriptions of typical candidate performance on work-related tasks Motivates individuals to improve their proficiency in English

Local scoring, reporting and customer service provide clients and test takers with local contacts and native language customer service The inclusion of TOEIC scores on your CV, whether you are a student or professional, adds a dimension of international competitiveness. It facilitates your access to a wider job market, since companies often use TOEIC scores in their recruitment decisions; it is, hence, an essential tool for non-native speakers of English looking to improve their employability. Companies, whether they are small businesses or multinational corporations, use the TOEIC test:

To recruit and promote employees To implement a common standard of measurement across multiple corporate sites To assess employees' international mobility

Format of the TOEIC test Questions on the TOEIC test are based on real-life work settings in an international environment (meetings, travel, telephone calls, etc).

The TOEIC Listening and Reading test is paper-based, lasts approximately 2 hours and comprises 200 questions in listening comprehension and reading. Each section is scored separately on a scale ranging from 5 to 495 points. The total score possible on the test is hence between 10 and 990 points. In the TOEIC Speaking and Writing tests, the two sections of the test are independent of each other and test-takers receive a separate score for each. The Speaking test measures skills such as pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar, and fluency. The Writing test assesses vocabulary and grammar, as well as coherence and organization. The tests include integrated tasks that are reflective of actual English usage in the workplace. The TOEIC Speaking Test lasts approximately 20 minutes and includes 11 questions measuring different aspects of spoken English, while the TOEIC writing test lasts approximately 60 minutes and includes eight questions measuring different aspects of writing ability. Benchmark your score The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL), which aims to promote international and professional mobility, provides a common basis for describing the skills needed to reach different levels of language proficiency. It presents a reference system that is designed to establish co-relations between various tests and ability levels. The CEFRL defines skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking in any language. The Framework is broken down into six levels, falling into three main groups:

A1 A2 (Basic User) B1 B2 (Independent User) C1 C2 (Proficient User)

ETS Global regularly carries out correlation studies between its tests and the CEFRL to ensure that reliable and precise correlations can be made over time. Test takers can also be given a TOEIC certificate stating details of the candidate, TOEIC score, and date when the test was taken. The certificate exists in 5 colors that correspond to different score levels:

Orange: 10 215 Brown: 220 465 Green: 470- 725 Blue: 730 855 Gold: 860 990

TOEIC scores are valid as long as English proficiency remains the same. Generally, over a period of around 2 years, proficiency in a language tends to change. Hence, it is advisable to retake the TOEIC test every couple of years and update your CV accordingly.