TOEIC

a. What is TOEIC?
TOEIC stands for the Test of English for International Communication. It is written and run by
ETS, the Educational Testing Service.

TOEIC is a North American Business English exam, but developed primarily in Japan in the
1970s. It is designed to test the ability of candidates to communicate in everyday situations in
an Englishspeaking international working environment.

TOEIC test has been around for more than 30 years. Today TOEIC test scores are used by
over 10,000 companies, government agencies and English Language Learning programs in
120 countries. More than 7 million TOEIC tests were taken in 2013, including 1.5 million in
Japan.

TOEIC results are valid for 2 years. However, TOEIC can be re-taken a month later if the
required score was not achieved.

Phần này mình kiếm được nhưng dài hơn.

(What is TOEIC?
The Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC®) is a multiple-choice English
language proficiency test for people whose native language is not English. It measures their
English comprehension, speaking, writing and reading skills in an international environment.
The scores indicate how well people can communicate in English with others in business,
commerce and industry.

The TOEIC test was developed in the USA in 1979 by ETS (Educational Testing Service)
following a request from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Trade and Industry (MITI). ETS is a
psychometric centre, internationally acclaimed for the reliability and quality of its tests such as
TOEFL® (Test of English as a Foreign Language), GMAT® (Graduate Management
Administration Test), SAT® (Student Admission Test) and many other higher education
admission tests including exams leading to professional qualifications.

The TOEIC test, a standardised test giving reliable results test after test, assesses proficiency
at all levels (beginner to advanced) in all professional and social categories.

The TOEIC® test provides outstanding benefits to individuals, schools, and companies. It
offers an objective assessment of English language proficiency - a quantifiable standard of
performance recognized around the world.

The TOEIC test is highly reliable and accurate, available on demand, and features rapid test
scoring and reporting.
 Individual test-takers find the TOEIC test an excellent means to apply for new positions, to
obtain credentials, and to monitor their own improvement in English.
Schools use the TOEIC test to place students into language learning levels, demonstrate the
progress of English language students, and evaluate program effectiveness. Companies, from
small businesses to multinationals, rely on the TOEIC test to document progress in English-
training programs, to recruit, promote, and hire employees, and to implement a common
standard of measurement across multiple corporate sites.

The TOEIC test is the world's most recognized English language test; more than 1.7 million
people took the test last year.)

b. Why should I take the TOEIC test?

The TOEIC test has become a standard for decision-makers worldwide, who use the TOEIC
tests to determine who can communicate effectively on an independent and proficient level in
English. It enables test takers to:

 qualify for a new position and/or promotion in a company

 enhance their professional credentials

 monitor their progress in English

 set their own learning goals

 involve the employer in advancing its employees' English abilities

What is the purpose of having a TOEIC certification?

TOEIC test is used by industries, Vocational high school, polytechnic and job seekers.
Vocational high schools use TOEIC especially for XI and XII grade students to give additional
skill. The skill and its certificate are used to compete for the job after they graduate. Industries
used TOEIC test to know the competence of the new employees and as one of the
requirements to be recruited. Foreign language skills, including English, are the main assets to
get a job nowadays.

+ TOEIC Listening & Reading Test Format and Content

The TOEIC L&R test is a two-hour multiple-choice test that consists of 200 questions divided
into two sections.

 Listening Section: The Listening section tests how well you understand spoken English.
It consists of four parts and contains 100 questions. You will be asked to answer
questions based on a variety of statements, questions, conversations, and talks
recorded in English.
Total time: approximately 45 minutes.

 Reading Section: The Reading section includes three parts, testing how well you
understand written English. You will read a variety of materials and respond at your own
pace to 100 questions based on the content of the materials provided to you.
Total time: 75 minutes.

Listening Section (approx. 45 minutes, 100 questions). Listen to conversation

and narrations, and answer the questions.

Part 1 Photographs: 6 questions

Four short statements regarding a photograph will be spoken only one
time. The statements will not be printed. Of these four statements, select
the one that best describes the photograph and mark your answer on the
answer sheet.

Part 2 Question – Response: 25 questions

Three responses to one question or statement will be spoken only one
time. They will not be printed. Select the best response for the question,
and mark your answer on the answer sheet.

Part 3 Conversations: 39 questions

Conversations between two or three people will be spoken only one time.
They will not be printed. Listen to each conversation and read the
questions printed in the test book (the questions will also be spoken),
select the best response for the question, and mark your answer on the
answer sheet. Some questions may require responses related to
information found in diagrams, etc. printed on the test book as well as what
you heard in the conversations. There are three questions for each
conversation.

Part 4 Talks: 30 questions

Short talks such as announcements or narrations will be spoken only one
time. They will not be printed. Listen to each talk and read the questions
printed in the test book (the questions will also be spoken), select the best
response for the question, and mark your answer on the answer sheet.
Some questions may require responses related to information found in
diagrams, etc. printed on the test book as well as what you heard in the
talks. There are three questions for each talk.

TOEIC Listening Tips

The following TOEIC listening tips will help you beware of test traps, and direct you to
the right answer. Remember, it is possible to get a score of 100% in the listening
section. Many students have done so before you, and you can too, so keep your eyes and ears
open and your motivation high.

+ Part 1:
PHOTOGRAPHS
In the first part of the TOEIC listening section, you will see photographs and then be
asked to select a sentence which best describes the pictures. The key to doing well is to read
each of the four options carefully. The three incorrect answers may have:
  words that sounds similar but are in fact different
 the right words used inaccurately
 the right words used in a confusing manner
 answers that are only partially true
 words that refer to a context other than the one shown in the picture
 words related to, but not in the picture
The best way to approach these questions is to scan the picture completely and identify what's
happening, just like a journalist or a spy. Ask yourself: who, what, where, why? Listen for any
words that are stressed, as they may hold a clue.

EXAMPLES:
+ Part 2:
QUESTION - RESPONSE
In the second part of the TOEIC listening section, you will be asked a question about almost
anything and you need to choose a suitable answer. The trick here is to watch out for:
 words that sound similar but have different meanings
 wh- questions - who what, when, where, why, what - that need logical answers
 questions with question tags
 yes / no questions which may have no direct yes / no answers
To do well, keep the question clearly in mind as you scan the possible answers. Choose
the one that makes the greatest sense. If in doubt, guess. You won't lose points.

EXAMPLES:
+ Part 3:
SHORT CONVERSATIONS
In the third part, you will hear a short dialogue and then be asked a question about what you
have heard. You need to use your short-term memory well. The best strategies are to beware of:
 similar-sounding words
 inaccurate words
 confused word order
 words that change the meaning
 negative words (hardly, not, etc.)
 words associated with time (always, never, etc.)
It will help if you can read the question, and possibly even the answers, before you hear the
dialogue. Check all the options and don't choose too quickly. Try and picture the speakers and
where they are.

EXAMPLES:
+ Part 4:

SHORT TALK
In the fourth part of the listening section, you will hear a monologue and then be asked a
question about it. The same precautions should be exercised as in the earlier sections, but you
will need to concentrate more carefully to remember the details. Pay close attention to the
context. Try to read the questions beforehand if you have time, and listen to the entire talk
before choosing an answer. Use your time wisely or else guess at an answer. Don't get left
behind or lose important information related to the next question.

EXAMPLES: