The TOEIC exam

The Test of English for International

Communication is produced by ETS (Educational
Testing Service).

TOEIC test questions are based on real-life work

settings in an international environment
(meetings, travel, telephone conversations, etc).
What is the TOEIC® test like?
There are two separate parts to the TOEIC test. You can do one or
both parts.
• The Listening and Reading test is a paper based test taken in a
public test centre or institution.
• The Speaking and Writing test is an online test that is taken in a
test centre and takes approximately 80 minutes.
• Both tests can be taken in test centres in more than 150
countries.
What about scores?
The TOEIC Reading and Listening gives a score between 10 and 990:
905 - 990 International Proficiency
785 – 900 Working Proficiency Plus
605 – 780 Limited Working Proficiency
405 – 600 Elementary Proficiency Plus
255 – 400 Elementary Proficiency
185 – 250 Memorised Proficiency
10 – 180 No Useful Proficiency

TOEIC Speaking and Writing tests are scored out of 200.

The TOEIC® Listening and Reading test
The Listening and Reading test takes 2.5 hours and has two sections:

LISTENING READING
100 questions 100 questions
Part 1 photos 20 questions Part 5: Incomplete sentences: 40
Part 2: Question – Response: 30 q questions
uestions Part 6: Error recognition: 20
Part 3: Short conversation: 30 que questions
stions Part 7: Reading comprehension:
Part 4: Short talks: 30 questions 40 questions
The TOEIC® Speaking and Writing test
This internet-based test lasts approximately 80 minutes. The two sections of the test (speaking
and writing) are independent of each other and test-takers receive a separate score for each.

The TOEIC Speaking Test The TOEIC Writing Test

20 minutes
The test is taken online and your voice is 60 minutes
recorded and sent to be marked. Scores arrive in The test is taken online and sent
3 to 4 weeks.
You have to do the following tasks:
to be marked. Scores arrive in 3 to
• read a text aloud (tests pronunciation) 4 weeks.
• describe a picture (tests vocabulary/grammar) You have to do the following tasks:
• respond to recorded questions (tests
fluency/extended discourse) Write sentences about pictures
• respond to questions using information 1. Respond to a written request
provided
• express an opinion 2. Write an opinion essay
Who is it for?
The Test is used by organisations to determine whether an employee is
suitable for a particular task. If you work or want to work for a large
organisation, particularly in Asia, then the TOEIC test will be useful to
you.
LISTENING COMPREHENSION
In this section of the test, you will have the chance to show how well you
understand spoken English. There are four parts to this section, with special
directions for each part.

PART I
Directions: For each question, you will see a picture in your test book and
you will hear four short statements. The statements will be spoken just one
time. They will not be printed in your test book, so you must listen carefully
to understand what the speaker says.
When you hear the four statements, look at the picture in your test book and
choose the statement that best describes what you see in the picture. Then,
on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and mark your
answer. Look at the sample below.
Part 1: Photos (20 questions). Example:

Tapescript:
(A) He’s greeting the dinner guests.
(B) He’s carrying a tray of food
(C) He’s cooking in the kitchen
(D) He’s shopping for lunch

Strategies
Scan the picture quickly and try to identify as much as
you can.
Ask yourself questions: Who (gender, description,
occupation) is in the photo? What is happening?
Where was the photo taken?
When listening, focus on the words that are easier to
hear, the stressed words, as they carry the overall
meaning.
PART II
Directions: In this part of the test, you will hear a question spoken in English,
followed by three responses, also spoken in English. The question and the
responses will be spoken just one time.
They will not be printed in your test book, so you must listen carefully to
understand what the speakers say. You are to choose the best response to
each question.
Now listen to a sample question.
You will hear: Sample Answer

You will also hear:

The best response to the question "How are you?" is choice (A), "I am fine,
thank you." Therefore, you should choose answer (A).
Part 2: Question – Response: 30 questions
Tapescript:
Your office is still open, isn't it?
21. Mark your answer on your (A) It should be.
answer sheet. (B) Yes, I am.
(C) The officer is outside.
How can I access these files?
22. Mark your answer on your (A) The accessories are expensive. (B) I can give
answer sheet. you the code.
(C) The files are inside the house.
Strategies
You will have to exercise your short-term memory. You must remember the
question until you have picked the appropriate response. If you really don't know
the answer, then guess. Choose the response that sounds most natural to you,
don't leave any questions unanswered.
PART III
Directions: in this part of the test, you will hear thirty short conversations
between two peopie, The conversations will not be printed in your test book,
You will hear the conversations oniy once, so you must listen carefully to
understand what the speakers say,

In your test book, you will read a question about each conversation, The
question wili be followed by four answers, You are to choose the best answer
to each question and mark it on your answer sheet
 Part 3: Short conversation: 30 questions
51. Where are they? Tapescript:
(A) At a bus stop. 51.
Woman: I thought the bus leaves on the hour.
(B) On a train. Man: It usually does, but this is the holiday schedule
(C) In a car. Woman: I completely forgot. I hope we won't be late for the game.
52.
(D) At a game.
Woman: May I help you?
Man : Please. I’m looking for foreign magazines.
52. What does the man want? Woman: They're in aisle two, at the back, next to the greeting cards.

(A) Imported magazines.

Strategies
(B) Two paperback books, Try to read the question before you hear the dialog. If you
(C) Greeting cards. have time,read the answer choices as well. Look at all the
options, before choosing your answer. As you listen, imagine
(D) A foreign car. the speakers and their location.
PART IV
Directions: In this part of the test, you will hear several short talks. Each
will be spoken just one time. They will not be printed in your test book, so
you must listen carefully to understand and remember what is said.

In your test book, you will read two or more questions about each short
talk. The questions will be followed by four answers. You are to choose the
best answer to each question and mark it on your answer sheet.
 Part 4: Short talks: 30 questions
81. Who is the announcement specifically addressed to? Questions 81 through 83 refer to the following
(A) College students. announcement.
(B) Factory workers. We learn how to work for money at school
(C) The unemployed. and on the job but we don't really learn how
(D) Potential investors. to make our money work for us. This
workshop teaches how to make your money
82. What is being offered?
work for you. Whether you want to work
(A) Advice on colleges.
independently, plan for early retirement or
(B) A course.
pay for college, you will discover how you can
(C) Venture capital.
earn money from the stock market with this
(D) Real estate.
simple and proven approach. Find out how
83. What claim is made? much capital Is needed for your desired
(A) That one will be able to retire early. lifestyle, and spot wise investments. Make
(B) That one can become an independent contractor. your money work harder, so you don't have to.
(C) That one will become financially independent.
(D) That one can earn money by investing it.
Strategies

This is a very difficult section because you have to listen carefully

and remember specific details. It is important that you try to read
the questions before you hear the talk. If you have time, try to
read the answer choices as well. However, you should listen to the
whole talk before attempting to answer any of the questions.
Timing is crucial in this part. If you cannot read and answer the
question in the 8 second pause then don't worry, but move on to
the next one. Don't get left behind on the tape.
YOU WILL HAVE ONE HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTES TO COMPLETE PARTS V, Vl, AND VII OF
THE TEST.

READING
In this section of the test, you will have a chance to show how well you understand
written English. There are three parts to this section, with special directions for
each part.

PART V
Directions: Questions 101-140 are incomplete sentences. Four words or phrases,
marked
(A), (B), (C), (D) are given beneath each sentence. You are to choose the one word or
phrase that best completes the sentence. Then, on your answer sheet, find the
number of the question and mark your answer.

You will read:

Because the equipment is very delicate, it must be handled with …….

(A)caring (B) careful (C) care (D) carefully

The sentence should read, "Because the equipment is very delicate, it must be
 Part 5: Incomplete sentences: 40 questions
101. Most of the time in Indonesia was spent ............. relatives.

(A) to visit
(B) Visiting
(C) going visiting
(D). go to visit

Strategies
You must develop a quick pace for the Reading section. You have 75 minutes for 100
items. There are 60 items in PartsV andVI. You should save most of your time for the
reading passages in Part VII. Try to amwer a question in 30 seconds. If the answer is not
apparent to you, quickly move on. Return to the unanswered questions after you reach
the end of Part VII. Always go back and check your answers at the end if there is time.
Part 6: Error recognition: 20 questions

141.
The plane had to fly over above the city for an hour before getting
(A) (B) (C)
Permission to land.
(D)

Strategies
Check each underlined section for an error. If no error is apparent, take each
option and see if that word or phrase fits the sentence grammatically.
Do not take time to correct an error (even in your head).
Part 7: Reading comprehension: 40 questions
Strategies

Read over the questions before you read the passage. Don't look at the
answer options. Read the passage quickly to get a general idea. Don't worry
about words you don't understand. Then read it again more carefully and
try to find the answers to the questions as you read. After that, choose
from the options. The questions usually match the order information is
presented in the passage.
Be familiar with the type of passages that will be presented.
Self-study
• For this week’s practice, select Listening & Reading Section. There
are 4 parts of Listening (100 questions), and 4 parts of Reading (100
questions):
• https://www.examenglish.com/TOEIC/toeic_listening_and_reading.ht
m