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Understanding the TOEIC test: A Breakdown of its Key Components
The TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) is a globally recognized exam that measures how well people who don't speak English as a first language can use it in everyday work situations. It's often used by companies to check employees' or job applicants' English skills. The test has four sections but most candidates only take the Listening and Reading tests.
1. Listening Comprehension:
The listening section of the TOEIC test lasts approximately 45 minutes and consists of 100 questions. This section aims to evaluate how well candidates understand spoken English in everyday business scenarios and it is divided into four parts:
- Part 1: Photographs: Test-takers listen to a sentence and choose which photograph matches the description.
- Part 2: Question-Response: A question is asked, and the test-taker must choose the most appropriate response.
- Part 3: Conversations: Test-takers listen to a series of dialogues between two speakers and answer questions based on the conversations.
- Part 4: Talks: This section includes short monologues, such as announcements or instructions, followed by questions.
2. Reading Comprenesion:
The reading section, also with 100 questions, lasts 75 minutes and measures the test-taker's ability to understand written English. This part of the test assesses vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension of longer texts, all within a business context.
In addition to the more well-known Listening and Reading sections, TOEIC has separate Speaking and Writing tests. These tests are often taken by people who want to show a more complete picture of their English communication skills in a business environment.
3. TOEIC Speaking Test:
The speaking test assesses a candidate's ability to speak English in various scenarios. It lasts about 20 minutes and includes 11 questions, such as reading a text aloud, describing pictures, answering questions, and giving opinions on topics.
4. TOEIC Writing Test:
The writing test evaluates how well you can express yourself in writing. It lasts about 60 minutes and includes eight questions. Tasks involve writing sentences based on pictures, responding to emails, and writing opinion essays on general business-related topics.
Scoring and Use:
TOEIC scores range from 10 to 990, with separate scores for listening and reading. The speaking and writing tests are scored on a scale of 0 to 200. It does not have a pass or fail mark; instead, scores represent different proficiency levels. The test is frequently used by companies to assess the English language capabilities of employees, particularly in non-English speaking countries.
Overall, the TOEIC test provides a thorough evaluation of a candidate's ability to understand both spoken and written English, making it an essential too for assessing communication skills in the global business environment.
