Why TOEIC?
By testing real-world language, incorporating email, text messages, and technology-related vocabulary, the TOEIC program assesses practical competency rather than academic ability. This comprehensive approach ensures that employees and students are equipped to communicate accurately in today's business environment, building overall business effectiveness.
With more than four decades of experience understanding business, TOEIC tests provide detailed scoring, ongoing benchmarking and tailored proficiency mapping to build workforce-relevant English communication skills from foundation to fluency.
By choosing TOEIC assessments, you're not just measuring English proficiency — you're assessing practical skills that translate directly to workforce effectiveness.
Trusted and secure testing
Through evidence-centered test design, standardized and secured testing procedures, ETS ensures that:
- the test delivers reliable and accurate scores
- test questions are based on real-world workplace situations
- test scores remain fair and comparable across administrations
- the tests are research-based with rigorous quality standards
- test scores align to Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) standards
TOEIC score reports provide meaningful information to help:
Business organizations
Build a more English-proficient team for your business.
Make more informed decisions on hiring, training and promoting the best candidates.
Monitor and demonstrate the effectiveness of the organization’s English-language proficiency programs.
Academic institutions
Prepare work-ready graduates for success.
Make more informed decisions on student admissions, placement and exiting.
Demonstrate the effectiveness of your English-language programs.
Enhance the global reputation of your institution.
Government agencies
Cultivate stronger global talent for your government.
Make more informed decisions within your government entity and for your country.
Bolster your international reputation.
Job Candidates
Help you stand out and be recruited in a competitive market.
Demonstrate your ability to communicate globally with co-workers and clients.
Help you to obtain a job promotion within a company.
About the TOEIC Listening and Reading Test
The TOEIC Listening and Reading test is a fair and valid of assessment of English-language listening and reading skills for the workplace. When taken together with the TOEIC Speaking and Writing tests, the tests provide a reliable measurement of all four English-language communication skills.
The TOEIC Listening and Reading test is a fair and valid of assessment of English-language listening and reading skills for the workplace. When taken together with the TOEIC Speaking and Writing tests, the tests provide a reliable measurement of all four English-language communication skills.
Test content and format
The TOEIC Listening and Reading test is a multiple-choice assessment. There are two timed sections of 100 questions each.
The TOEIC Listening and Reading test is a multiple-choice assessment. There are two timed sections of 100 questions each.
Test length
The test takes about 2.5 hours total:
- 45 minutes for Section I: Listening
- 75 minutes for Section II: Reading
- about 30 minutes to answer biographical questions
The test takes about 2.5 hours total:
- 45 minutes for Section I: Listening
- 75 minutes for Section II: Reading
- about 30 minutes to answer biographical questions
Section I: Listening
Test takers listen to a variety of questions and short conversations recorded in English, then answer questions based on what they have heard (100 items total).
- Part 1: Photographs
- Part 2: Question-Response
- Part 3: Conversations
- Part 4: Talks
Test takers listen to a variety of questions and short conversations recorded in English, then answer questions based on what they have heard (100 items total).
- Part 1: Photographs
- Part 2: Question-Response
- Part 3: Conversations
- Part 4: Talks
Section II: Reading
Test takers read a variety of materials and respond at their own pace (100 items total).
- Part 5: Incomplete Sentences
- Part 6: Text Completion
- Part 7: Reading Comprehension
Test takers read a variety of materials and respond at their own pace (100 items total).
- Part 5: Incomplete Sentences
- Part 6: Text Completion
- Part 7: Reading Comprehension
About the TOEIC Speaking and Writing Tests
The TOEIC Speaking and Writing tests measure English-language skills used in the workplace. Test takers respond to real-world questions and scenarios in spoken and written language.
The Speaking and Writing tests can be taken together or separately. When taken together with the TOEIC Listening and Writing test, the tests provide a reliable measurement of all four English-language communication skills.
The TOEIC Speaking and Writing tests measure English-language skills used in the workplace. Test takers respond to real-world questions and scenarios in spoken and written language.
The Speaking and Writing tests can be taken together or separately. When taken together with the TOEIC Listening and Writing test, the tests provide a reliable measurement of all four English-language communication skills.
TOEIC Speaking Test format
- Content: 11 questions
- Time: about 20 minutes
- Score scale: 0–200
Questions Task Description 1-2 Read a text aloud - 45 seconds to prepare.
- 45 seconds to read the text out loud.
3-4 Describe a picture - Describe the picture on screen in as much details as possible.
- 45 seconds to prepare a response.
- 30 seconds to speak about the picture.
5-7 Respond to questions - 3 seconds per questions to prepare a response.
- 15 seconds to respond to questions 5 and 6.
- 30 seconds to respond to question 7.
8-10 Respond to questions using information provided - 45 seconds to read the information before the questions begin.
- 3 seconds per questions to prepare their response. 15 seconds to respond to questions 8 and 9.
- Question 10 will be asked two times.
- 30 seconds to respond to questions 10.
11 Express an opinion - 45 seconds to prepare a response.
- 60 seconds to speak.
- Content: 11 questions
- Time: about 20 minutes
- Score scale: 0–200
| Questions | Task | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Read a text aloud |
|
| 3-4 | Describe a picture |
|
| 5-7 | Respond to questions |
|
| 8-10 | Respond to questions using information provided |
|
| 11 | Express an opinion |
|
TOEIC Writing Test format
- Content: 8 questions
- Time: about 60 minutes
- Score scale: 0–200
Questions Task Description 1-5 Write a sentence based on picture - With each picture, the test taker is given two words or phrases that they need to use in their sentence.
- They can change the forms of the words and use the words in any order.
6-7 Respond to a written request - Test takers show how well they can write email responses and have 10 minutes to read and answer each email.
8 Write an opinion essay - Test takers write an essay in response to a question that asks them to state, explain and support their opinion on an issue.
- Typically an effective essay will contain a minimum of 300 words.
- Content: 8 questions
- Time: about 60 minutes
- Score scale: 0–200
| Questions | Task | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | Write a sentence based on picture |
|
| 6-7 | Respond to a written request |
|
| 8 | Write an opinion essay |
|
TOEIC Score Use
You can use TOEIC scores to measure how well candidates will perform in the workplace and real-life situations where they need to communicate in English.
- Corporations and government agencies use TOEIC scores to make hiring decisions and determine if employees have the English-communication skills needed to carry out specific job responsibilities or communicate successfully in English when working in an English-speaking country or with colleagues and clients around the world.
- Universities, high schools and other educational institutions use scores to determine if students have met specific levels of English proficiency and if they have the skills needed to communicate effectively in their careers once they graduate.
- English training programs use TOEIC scores to help place incoming students, monitor student progress, and evaluate the effectiveness of their program.