1) What is TOEIC?
2) What's the difference between TOEIC and TOEFL tests?
3) Is TOEIC a well-known test?
4) Why does TOEIC provide a certificate?
5) Who recognizes the TOEIC score?
6) Can I expect to see improvement in my test scores if I take the TOEIC multiple times and by how much?
7) How long are the TOEIC test results good for?
8) How long will it take to get my test results?
9) Which are some of the advantages of the TOEIC test?
10) What score do I need to “pass” the TOEIC test?
11) Does the TOEIC test measure speaking and writing?
12) From what kind of contexts are the TOEIC test questions drawn?
13) How is the TOEIC test scored?
14) How accurate are TOEIC test results?

1) What is TOEIC?

The TOEIC Test is the Test of English for International Communication. It is developed by Educational Testing Service. For more information, please click here to view the TOEIC Examinee Handbook.
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2) What's the difference between TOEIC and TOEFL tests?

The TOEIC and the TOEFL tests were developed to serve different purposes. Therefore, the design, content, context, and ranges of proficiency that each test measures are also different.
The TOEFL test was created by Educational Testing Service for foreign students seeking admission to colleges and universities in North America . Students planning to pursue undergraduate or graduate degrees in North America will wish to take the TOEFL test.
Organizations that document employees' English proficiency and individuals who want to demonstrate their ability to use English in the global workplace will prefer to use the TOEIC test.
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3) Is TOEIC a well-known test?

The TOEIC Test is by far the most widely used English language test in the world. More than 2.8 million tests were administered last year alone.
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4) Why does TOEIC provide a certificate?

Since this is the Official TOEIC Test, you will receive the Official TOEIC Score Report and the Official diploma quality TOEIC Score Certificate.
The certificate is your credential. Many companies require a TOEIC score to hire you. You may use the certificate to show an employer your English language ability.  Many people add their TOEIC score to their resume when they send in their application for a new job.
The TOEIC certificate is an internationally recognized document which highlights your level of English competence and displays:

• your first and last names
• your score for the listening comprehension section
• your score for the reading comprehension section
• your total test score
• the name of the establishment where you took the test
• the date you took the test
• the official TOEIC seal

The TOEIC certificate exists in five colors, corresponding to distinct levels of results: orange (010-215), brown (220-465), green (470-725), blue (730-855) and gold (860-990).
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5) Who recognizes the TOEIC score?

More than 4,000 companies, employers, colleges, universities and International English Programs as well as such international companies rely on TOEIC:  Daewoo, Ford, Nissan, Renault, Peugeot, Citroen, Scania, Siemens,  Air France, Airbus, Alcatel Group, Dassault Aviation, Korean Air, Allianz, Barclays Bank, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, Bell, Bosch-Siemens, Lucent Technologies, Philips, BP-Elf, EDF-GDF, Esso-Exxon, Kodak, Lever, Procter & Gamble, Total Elf, Coca Cola, Kraft, Moet/Hennessy, Nestle, Monsanto, Unilever, Compaq, Fujitsu, Hewlett Packard, NEC Computer International, Nike and a lot more.
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6) Can I expect to see improvement in my test scores if I take the TOEIC multiple times and by how much?

Yes. If you use the English language or take Intensive English courses almost every test taker will see improvement in their scores. How much of an improvement depends on the length of time between test administrations, and how much you work at improving your English.
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7) How long are the TOEIC test results good for?

Your TOEIC score is valid for two years.
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8) How long will it take to get my test results?

Generally, you will receive your results by mail within 2weeks after you take the test. Please allow more time if a holiday falls after the administration, or if your results will be sent outside the United States.
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9) Which are some of the advantages of the TOEIC test?

The TOEIC test is the choice of more than 2 million examinees a year and is recognized by thousands of corporations.
As a fair and objective measure of English proficiency, the TOEIC test will enable you to:

• verify your current level of English proficiency
• qualify for a new position and/or promotion in your company
• enhance your professional credentials
• monitor your progress in English
• set your own learning goals
• involve your employer in advancing your English ability

TOEIC will provide a numeric score and description of what you can do. TOEIC can also provide an accurate assessment of your English skills in order to obtain the best jobs, or for entrance into some US colleges and university programs.
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10) What score do I need to “pass” the TOEIC test?

The TOEIC test is not the kind of test that one “passes” or “fails.” Not every job or task requires the same level of English proficiency. Because it was developed specifically to meet the needs of working people, the TOEIC test measures many levels of ability. It enables people to demonstrate what they currently can accomplish in English. The single, continuous scale also makes it possible for learners to set attainable goals and to measure their progress as their English improves. Many companies use the TOEIC test to set their own score standards based on the levels of English necessary to carry out particular responsibilities. Your company may require that employees have a minimum TOEIC score because the corresponding level of English is needed on the job. Many companies offer English training to help their employees reach target TOEIC scores reflecting specific levels of proficiency based on professional need.
In short, a good or bad TOEIC test score is dependent on a number of factors. TOEIC scores are from 10 to 990. Your age, your objectives, and the amount of English language training and experience you have.
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11) Does the TOEIC test measure speaking and writing?

The TOEIC test measures listening and reading directly. These skills can be tested objectively, cost-effectively, and efficiently. Testing speaking and writing directly requires considerable time and expense, both for administering the test and for scoring. The decision to test only listening and reading directly on the TOEIC test was a response to the needs of clients and test takers for a rapid, affordable, and convenient service, as well as for high reliability.
The TOEIC test provides an indirect measure of speaking and writing. Studies with large samples of nonnative speakers of English from around the world have confirmed a strong link between TOEIC results and an oral interview. Smaller studies have shown a similar link with writing skills.
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12) From what kind of contexts are the TOEIC test questions drawn?

The TOEIC test was designed to meet the needs of the working world. The test questions are developed from samples of spoken and written language collected from various countries around the world where English is used in the workplace. These are some examples of the settings and situations you may find in TOEIC test questions:

• Corporate Development : research, product development
• Dining Out : business and informal lunches, banquets, receptions, restaurant reservations
• Entertainment : cinema, theater, music, art, exhibitions, museums, media
• Finance and Budgeting : banking, investments, taxes, accounting, billing
• General Business : contracts, negotiations, mergers, marketing, sales, warranties, business planning, conferences, labor relations
• Health : medical insurance, visiting doctors, dentists, clinics, hospitals
• Housing/Corporate Property : construction, specifications, buying and renting, electric and gas services
• Manufacturing : assembly lines, plant management, quality control
• Offices : board meetings, committees, letters, memoranda, telephone, fax and e-mail messages, office equipment and furniture, office procedures
• Personnel : recruiting, hiring, retiring, salaries, promotions, job applications, job advertisements, pensions, awards
• Purchasing : shopping, ordering supplies, shipping, invoices
• Technical Areas : electronics, technology, computers, laboratories and related equipment, technical specifications
• Travel : trains, airplanes, taxis, buses, ships, ferries, tickets, schedules, station and airport announcements, car rentals, hotels, reservations, delays and cancellations

While the language from these settings provides the context of the test questions, candidates are not required to know specialized business and technical vocabulary. The TOEIC test is suitable for use in all environments where English is used by native speakers of other languages.
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13) How is the TOEIC test scored?

Each candidate uses a pencil to mark answers on the answer sheet. The scores are determined by the number of questions answered correctly. The number of correct responses in each section, Listening Comprehension and Reading , is converted to a number on a scale of 5 to 495. Adding the two section scores together gives a total score on a scale ranging from 10 to 990. There is no penalty for wrong answers.

The chart below will give you some idea of how a TOEIC score measures English proficiency.
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