TOEIC complete exam guide for 2020
Ever wondered how do people make it to the greatest of companies requiring professional/business English? If yes, you need to prove yourself, and to prove yourself, what’s better than an exam which evaluates you on the basis of writing, reading, speaking and listening. If you are here, you know what TOEIC is, but confused about how to proceed further with the exam? In this article, we are going to provide you with a TOEIC complete exam guide that will help you with your TOEIC journey.
So to begin with, TOEIC is the abbreviation for Test of English for International Communication. For non-native speakers, it is an international standardized test of English Language proficiency, conducted by ETS and accepted worldwide. It has been designed to test and measure the English speaking skills of people like you working or desire to work in an everyday international environment. According to a statistical data, ETS states that more than 4.5 million candidates a year take TOEIC Exam, looking for a job or advance their progressive careers in companies, educational institutes, or government firms/agencies.
In this article, we will discuss briefly:
- Introduction to TOEIC
- TOEIC Exam Details
- The registration process for TOEIC
- Price/Fee structure of TOEIC Test
- Who takes the TOEIC Test
- Advantages of TOEIC Test
- FAQs
Introduction to TOEIC
Test of English for International Communication is an international level standardized exam, conducted by ETS, which measures the English language proficiency of the candidates seeking to work in an international environment.
TOEIC Exam scores are accepted globally and most of the international companies demand TOEIC scores and has made it mandatory criteria to measure the professional speaking skills of a candidate applying for the job in their companies.
TOEIC has three test versions:

TOEIC Exam Details
TOEIC Listening and Reading Test
The TOEIC Listening and Reading Test is a rational and valid measurement or assessment of English language listening and reading skills required in a corporation. Today, the companies all over the world use the TOEIC Listening and Reading test scores to determine who is effectively skilled in communicating in English with both the compeer associate and clients across the borders.
Through this test which is secured in terms of testing and scoring, ETS verify that:
- test takers have the same testing experience no matter the place and time
- no test taker is unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged
- test scores remain fair and comparable across administrations
- test questions based on real-life work situations provide an accurate evaluation of your ability to communicate in English
Duration and Questions: The TOEIC Listening and Reading test takes 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete and comprises of 2 sections as the name of the test suggests:
- Listening Comprehension Section
- Duration: 45 minutes
- 100 Questions in this section
- Reading Comprehension Section
- Duration: 75 minutes
- 100 Questions in this section as well
Additional 30 minutes is taken into account to answer biographical questions.
Format and Type of Questions asked: The TOEIC Listening and Reading Test is an multiple-choice question paper-based or internet-based test. It comprises of 100 questions each in Listening and Reading section. Here, the scores are scaled from 10 to 990 points.
The questions asked in the test are commonly used everyday vocabulary, phrases and key expressions that gives a reflection of real-world tasks and communication. The most important thing to be noted is that the use of English keeps evolving and changing at times, so the test questions are also prepared accordingly.
TOEIC Speaking and Writing Test
The TOEIC Speaking and Writing Test is a rational and valid measurement or assessment of English language speaking and writing skills required in a corporation. Today, the companies all over the world use the TOEIC Speaking and Writing test scores to determine a candidate’s ability to communicate in spoken and written English with their associate and clients.
Through this test which is secured in terms of testing and scoring, ETS verify that:
- test takers have the same testing experience no matter the place and time
- no test taker is unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged
- test scores remain fair and comparable across administrations
- test questions based on real-life work situations provide an accurate evaluation of your ability to communicate in English
Duration and Questions: The TOEIC Speaking and Writing test takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete and comprises of 2 sections as the name of the test suggests:
- Speaking Test Section
- Duration: 20 minutes
- 11 Questions in this section
- Writing Test Section
- Duration: 60 minutes
- 8 Questions in this section
Before the test starts, additional 30 minutes are required to complete the administrative formalities.
Format and Type of Questions asked: The TOEIC Speaking and Writing Test is a computer-based test. It comprises of 11 questions in Speaking Section and 8 questions in Writing section. Here, the scores are scaled from 0 to 200 points.
The questions asked in the test are commonly used everyday vocabulary, phrases and key expressions used in business communications and corporate environment. The most important thing to be noted is that the use of English keeps evolving and changing at times, so the test questions are also prepared accordingly.
TOEIC Bridge Test
The TOEIC Bridge Test is a reliable and valid measurement or assessment of English language listening and reading skills from beginner to intermediate level, recognized by several corporations. The TOEIC Bridge test score is used to determine a candidate’s ability to communicate in face-to-face situations, video conferences, conversations over the phone, responding to reports, newsletters, emails and so on. This helps prepare students for TOEIC Listening and Reading Test.
Through this test which is secured in terms of testing and scoring, ETS verify that:
- test takers have the same testing experience no matter the place and time
- no test taker is unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged
- test scores remain fair and comparable across administrations
Duration and Questions: The TOEIC Bridge test takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete and comprises of 2 sections:
- Listening Test Section
- Duration: 25 minutes
- 50 Questions in this section
- Reading Test Section
- Duration: 35 minutes
- 50 Questions in this section as well
Additional 30 minutes are required to complete the education and work history questionnaire.
Format and Type of Questions asked: The TOEIC Bridge Test is a multiple-choice question paper-based and digitally delivered test. It comprises of 50 questions in Listening Section and 50 questions in Reading section. Here, the scores are scaled from 20 to 180 points.
The questions asked in the test are commonly used everyday vocabulary, phrases and key expressions used in business communications. The most important thing to be noted is that the use of English keeps evolving and changing at times, so the test questions are also prepared accordingly.
Registration Process for TOEIC
Registration for the TOEIC Listening and Reading Test
The TOEIC Listening and Reading Test are generally of two types: public and institutional test sessions.
About Public Test Session
Public test sessions are held 12 times a year in both the United States and Canada. For the candidates outside US and Canada, you can contact your local ETS Preferred Network (EPN) Office to check the test dates and availability in your country.
To register for a public test session and find test centres and dates, go and check out the links according to your preference, provided below:
About Institutional Test Session
The Institutional Test Session for the TOEIC Listening and Reading Test are preferably offered by your language school or the employer. To register for the institutional test sessions, please contact your supervisor associate or instructor at your organization or school.
Registration for the TOEIC Speaking and Writing Test
UNITED STATES
For the TOEIC Speaking and Writing Test candidates in the United States can contact the US ETS Preferred Network (EPN) with the help of details given below:
Mail: AMIDEAST
2025 M Street
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036-4505
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-866-383-9234 or 1-202-664-1854
Website: www.amideast.org/toeic
CANADA
Candidates or Test Takers in Canada can register online.
Outside of the UNITED STATES and CANADA
If you are a test taker applying from outside of the US and Canada, you must contact your local ETS Preferred Network (EPN) office, to know the availability of the TOEIC Speaking and Writing Tests.
If you find difficulty in accessing the information or if your country doesn’t have and EPN Office, please fill out an information request form or contact the ETS official team by:
Mail: TOEIC Program
Educational Testing Service
Rosedale Road
Princeton, NJ 08541 USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-609-771-7170
Fax: 1-610-628-3722
Registration for the TOEIC Bridge Test
To know the availability of the TOEIC Bridge Tests in your country, please contact your local ETS Preferred Network (EPN) office for details.
If you find difficulty in accessing the information or if your country doesn’t have and EPN Office, please fill out an information request form or contact the ETS official team by:
Mail: TOEIC Program
Educational Testing Service
Rosedale Road
Princeton, NJ 08541 USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-609-771-7170
Fax: 1-610-628-3722
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Fee Structure of TOEIC Test
Fees are generally set by exam centres. You can expect to pay approximately $85 USD for each TOEIC Listening and Reading, and TOEIC Speaking and Writing. For TOEIC Bridge Test, you can expect to pay around $83 USD.
However, the prices vary from place to place, for exact information about the fee structure in your country you can contact the local ETS Preferred Network (EPN) Office.
Who can take the Test?
- Candidates who are a beginner or mid-level learner of English Language
- Individuals aspiring to progress and get promotion in their workplace and advance their career
- Aspirants seeking admission in foreign schools where English Language proficiency is must
Advantages of TOEIC
- establish personal language-learning goals and monitor your progress
- show instructors or employers, you are ready for success at the next academic or workplace level
- makes you a stronger candidate for job opportunities with global organizations
- positively affect hiring decisions and other employment opportunities
- help you obtain new opportunities within a company
FAQs about – TOEIC complete exam guide
TOEIC scores are used by companies, corporations, language schools, universities, colleges and government agencies worldwide. Schools and colleges use this test to guide placement decisions to monitor their progress. Companies use this test as it demonstrates an individual’s proficiency in the English Language.
Contact your EPN member for more detailed information.
Test scores are basically decided by the correct answers attempted by the test-takers, which is then converted to a scaled point.
Test scores are valid for a time period of 2 years. It is because the test measures your proficiency in the English Language at the time you are appearing for the test, and English skills are such that it may improve or deteriorate over years.
It depends on your location. Generally, it takes three to four weeks for the test scores to arrive.
TOEIC tests are not of pass-fail nature. It helps in measuring an individual’s proficiency levels in listening, reading, speaking and writing in English.
If you’re understandable to the examiner, it’s completely fine to have an accent.
It completely depends on what feedback you have been asked for and accordingly you should set your preferences. For corporate interviews and career growth, you should take both the TOEIC Listening and Reading Test as well as TOEIC Speaking and Writing Test.
Now, you have a complete detailed road-map to understand how to proceed further with your TOEIC test. ALL THE BEST!
Study hard what interests you the most in the most undisciplined, irreverent and original manner possible.
RICHARD FEYNMAN
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