TOEIC

The Test of English for International Communication, known as TOEIC, is a test that measures the English skills of people whose first language is not English. It is used all over the world. The test focuses on how well you can use English in everyday situations, especially for work.

Think of it like a final exam for learning English that can help you with your future job or studies. It shows companies and schools how good you are at understanding and using English.

There are a few different TOEIC tests. The most common one is the Listening & Reading Test. There are also separate tests for Speaking and Writing. Each test checks different English skills.

What is the TOEIC Test?

The TOEIC test is designed to see how well you can communicate in English in a global environment. It doesn't test academic English with complicated essays, but rather the practical English you would use in an office, on a trip, or in emails.

Listening & Reading Test

This is the main TOEIC test and it lasts for two hours. It has 200 multiple-choice questions.

• Listening Section: This part takes 45 minutes. You will listen to different recordings of conversations and talks in English and answer questions about them.
• Reading Section: This part takes 75 minutes. You will read things like emails, reports, and articles, and then answer questions to show you understand them.

Your score can be anywhere from 0 to 990. After you take the test, you get a certificate. The color of the certificate depends on your score!

•        Orange (0–219)
•        Brown (220–469)
•        Green (470–729)
•        Blue (730–859)
•        Gold (860–990)

Speaking & Writing Test

These tests were added in 2006. You can take them together or separately.

• The Speaking Test takes about 20 minutes. It checks your pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary when you speak.
• The Writing Test takes about 60 minutes. It checks how well you can write clear sentences, use correct grammar and vocabulary, and organize your ideas.

For these tests, your score is between 0 and 200.

TOEIC Bridge Test

There is also a simpler version of the test called the TOEIC Bridge. It is for beginners and intermediate learners to check their progress. It is shorter, with 100 questions, and takes about an hour.

History of the TOEIC

The idea for the TOEIC test came from a man in Japan named Yasuo Kitaoka. He noticed that many people in Japan needed to improve their English communication skills for international business.

He suggested his idea to an American organization called the Educational Testing Service (ETS), which makes many famous tests. At first, they were not able to work together. But Mr. Kitaoka did not give up. With the help of a friend, he created a group in Japan that could partner with ETS.

Together, they developed the TOEIC test. The very first test was given in 1979, and about 3,000 people took it. Since then, it has become one of the most popular English tests in the world.

How the Test Has Changed

Like a phone or a video game that gets updates, the TOEIC test has changed over the years to keep up with how we use English today.

Changes in 2006

In 2006, the test was updated.

• The reading parts became longer.
• The listening section started to include different English accents, like from Britain, Australia, and North America.
• Some question types were changed to be more like real-life tasks at a job.

Changes in 2016

The test was updated again in 2016 to include even more modern ways of communicating.

• The listening part added conversations with three or more people.
• The reading part added questions about text messages and online chats.
• You might also have to look at a graph or chart to answer a question.

These changes help make sure the test measures real-world English skills.

TOEIC Around the World

Millions of people take the TOEIC test every year in many different countries. Schools and companies use the scores for different reasons.

• In France, some universities require students to get a certain TOEIC score before they can graduate.
• In Japan and South Korea, many companies look at TOEIC scores when they are hiring new employees. A high score can help a person get a good job.
• In Chile, the TOEIC Bridge test was once used as part of a national test for students.

An Important Issue in the UK

In 2014, a problem was discovered in the United Kingdom. A news report showed that at some test centers, the rules for the TOEIC test were not being followed correctly.

Because of this, the UK government decided that it would no longer accept TOEIC scores for people applying for student visas. This created problems for many students who had taken the test. This shows how important it is for tests to be given fairly and securely.

See also

In Spanish: TOEIC para niños

• English language learning and teaching
• G-TELP, General Tests of English Language Proficiency
• IELTS, International English Language Testing System
• TEPS, Test of English Proficiency
• TOEFL, Test of English as a Foreign Language