Test of English for International (TOEIC)
The Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) is an English language test designed specifically to measure the everyday English skills of people working in an international environment. This test has been used as a standard for establishing business English writing skills and spoken English proficiency for nonnative English speaking people for more than 25 years.
The TOEIC test is a paper-and-pencil, multiple-choice assessment that uses audiocassettes, pictures, and written materials to evaluate English-language skills. TOEIC test questions are drawn from a variety of real-world settings and situations, from dining out and entertainment to travel and housing. There are two separately timed sections of 100 questions each:
Section I: Listening (45 minutes)
Examinees listen to a variety of questions and short conversations recorded in English, then answer questions based on what they heard. There are four types of questions
- Part 1: Photographs (20 items)
- Part 2: Question - Response (30 items)
- Part 3: Short Conversations (30 items)
- Part 4: Short Talks (20 items)
Section II: Reading (75 minutes)
Examinees read a variety of materials and respond at their own pace to questions based on the content. All the questions are printed in the test booklet and divided over three types of questions. The third type is what makes TOEIC the renowned test it has become over the world: original company documents and two to four questions asked on each document.
- Part 5: Incomplete Sentences (40 items)
- Part 6: Error Recognition (20 items)
- Part 7: Reading Comprehension (40 items)
Test Length
The test lasts approximately 2 ½ hours. After the allotted time for section I and II examinees have the remaining time to respond to biographical questions and a brief questionnaire about education and work history. Scores on the TOEIC test are determined by the number of correct answers. The number of correct responses on each section is converted to a scale score.
TOEIC test is not a pass or fail test. Scores are used to measure how well test takers might do in real-life situations where they're required to speak English. English language skills can improve or decline over time. For that reason, TOEIC scores are valid (and kept on file at ETS) for two years.
TOEIC test sessions can be organised on demand. Candidates can choose between sitting the test:
· in-house at their company premises, training or study centre (these sessions are supervised by their own staff and/or by staff from the local TOEIC test office).
· in general public open sessions (these test sessions are held on scheduled dates in various locations throughout the world).
Research by Educational Testing Service indicates a fairly strong relationship between TOEIC and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). While the two tests are broadly related in that they both measure English proficiency, the purposes, uses, scales, and context of the two tests are different. TOEFL has multiple-choice questions similar to TOEIC, but it also tests writing and speaking ability. TOEFL is used to test university students and covers a wider range of vocabulary than TOEIC. TOEIC evaluates English proficiency for the global workplace and TOEFL for those pursuing academic studies.
For further details
http://www.toeic.org/