TOEIC facts for kids
The TOEIC is a special test for people learning English. It helps measure how well you can use English, especially for work and business. The test started in 1977. Its full name is the Test of English for International Communication. A group called the Educational Testing Service (ETS) creates and gives this test. It is very popular in Japan and also used in other countries.
Contents
What is the TOEIC Test?
The Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) checks your English skills for everyday work activities.
The TOEIC Listening & Reading Test is a multiple-choice test. It takes two hours to complete. There are 200 questions in total. Half of the questions (100) check your listening skills. The other half (100) check your reading skills. You get separate scores for listening and reading. Each score can be from 5 to 495 points. Your total score can be from 10 to 990 points. The TOEIC certificate comes in five colors based on your total score:
- orange (10–215 points)
- brown (220–465 points)
- green (470–725 points)
- blue (730–855 points)
- gold (860–990 points)
TOEIC Speaking & Writing Test
ETS also started offering the TOEIC Speaking & Writing Test in 2006. You get a separate score for your speaking skills and your writing skills. You can even take only the Speaking test if you want. The Speaking test takes about 20 minutes. The Writing test takes about 60 minutes. For each of these tests, your score will be between 0 and 200 points.
TOEIC in Japan
Almost 1.5 million people take the TOEIC test in Japan every year. The Institute for International Business Communication (IIBC) (財団法人 国際ビジネスコミュニケーション協会, Zaidanhōjin Kokusai Bijinesu Komyunikēshon Kyōkai) helps give the test there.
There are two main ways to take the TOEIC test in Japan:
- The TOEIC Secure Program (SP) is given at a specific place and time. Test takers go to that location for the exam.
- The TOEIC Institutional Testing Program (ITP) is for groups like universities. They can give the test when and where they choose. These groups must still follow the test rules.
TOEIC in South Korea
South Korea uses the TOEIC test a lot, second only to Japan. However, some big companies have stopped using TOEIC scores for hiring. Others now ask for lower scores.
Since 2011, universities in Korea are not allowed to use TOEIC or TOEFL scores when choosing students. Seoul National University has even created its own English test called TEPS. This test might take the place of TOEIC there.
TOEIC in Europe
In France, some special schools called Grandes écoles (which are like top universities) ask for a TOEIC score of at least 785 to get a diploma. This score is seen as similar to a B2+ level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This framework helps describe language ability levels. If students cannot get this score, they might need to show their English skills in another way. Some schools even give students an extra year after their studies to get the required score.
In Greece, the TOEIC test is accepted by ASEP. This is part of the process for hiring new government workers.
TOEIC is also used by some universities in Italy. All universities there require students to pass an English exam. This must happen before they can start a degree course or get their diplomas. Often, students need a TOEIC score of 600 to earn a diploma. Many universities also accept other English tests, like the Cambridge certificate and TOEFL.
TOEIC Bridge
TOEIC Bridge is a simpler version of the TOEIC test. It is made for people who are just starting to learn English or are at an intermediate level. This test has 100 multiple-choice questions. It takes about one hour to finish.
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: TOEIC para niños
