Test of English for Internatiol Communication

What is TOEIC?

     TOEIC or Test of English for International Communication is an English language test designed to measure the everyday English skills.

 What are the 2 kinds of TOEIC Tests?

     The TOEIC Listening and Reading Test and the TOEIC Speaking and Writing Test. 

TOEIC Listening and Reading Test

     This is a 2 hour multiple choice test consisting of 200 questions divided into 100 questions each in listening comprehension and reading comprehension. Each candidate receives independent scores for written and listening comprehension on a scale frm 5 to 495 points. The total score adds up to a scale from 10 to 990 points. The TOEIC certificate exists in five colors, corresponding to achieved results: 

TOEIC Speaking and Writing Test

     This test was introduced in 2006. Test takers receive separate scores for each of the two tests ans the Speaking test can be taken without the writing test but not vice versa. The speaking test assesses pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar, and fluency. The writing test examines vocabulary, grammar, and overall coherence and organization. The tests are designed to reflect actual English usage in the workplace, though they do not require any knowledge of specialized business terms. Each test has a score range between 0 - 200, with test takers also grouped into eight proficiency levels. 

TOEIC Speaking Test Tips:

1. The most important point in the speaking section of the TOEIC test is to speak as clearly as possible, with whatever accent you have. Don't make the mistake of mumbling because you don't want the examiner to find fault with your accent. Whatever corrections you need to make to your accent, you should do before your exam and not during your exam. This is the time to speak out loud and clear.

2. Remember that you will not be speaking to a live examiner. Instead, you will be wearing headphones and speaking into a microphone, so that your answer can be recorded for later evaluation by an official ETS rater. You need to get used to speaking to yourself, into a microphone, with whatever  background noise may exist in the room from the other examinees.

Many examinees find this challenging so try practicing your TOEIC speaking exercises in a room with the television or radio on, or with other family or friends speaking. Learn to focus on your own speaking task and to ignore everything else in the surrounding area. This tip alone could make a gigantic difference in your speaking performance and score.

3. You've studied English for many years. This is the time to use your best English. Don't use slang.

4. Use correct grammar. Don't say ain't, even if you heard it in the movies.

5. Avoid boring, overly-used words like nice, good, or bad. Use expressive words like terrific, awful, or excellent.

6. Stay away from vague words or expressions like "He's a good teacher." Use specific words like kind, patient, or passionate.

7. Vary the tone of your voice. Avoid speaking a robotic, monotone voice. Speak with expression.

8. Speak slowly enough that you can be understood and much slower than you think you need to speak. It's the only way that your foreign accent will be understood. If it's a choice between quantity of words and quality fo speech, choose quality every time. No point in giving a wonderful answer which no-one can understand, because you spoke too quickly to make yourself understood.