About TOEIC
What is TOEIC?
TOEIC is short for Test of English for International Communication. It is an English test designed specifically to measure the everyday business English skills of non-native people working in an international environment. It also allows employers to make hiring decisions, promotions, or transfers depending on job seekers’ qualifications and English proficiency.
TOEIC questions are based on a variety of real-world settings and situations:
Human Resources
Recruiting, hiring, retiring, promoting, job applications, job advertisements, salaries, pensions, awards.
Manufacturing
Assembly lines, plant management, quality control.
Office
Procedures, board meetings, committees, letters, memos, telephone, fax and e-mail messages, equipment.
Purchasing
Shopping, shipping.
Technical Areas
Electronics, technology, computers, laboratories and related equipment, technical specifications.
Travel
Trains, airplanes, taxis, buses, ships, ferries, tickets, schedules, station and airport announcements, car rentals, hotels, reservations, delays and cancellations.
Corporate Development
Research, product development.
Dining Out
Business lunches, banquets, receptions, reservations.
Entertainment
Cinema, music, art, exhibitions, museums, media.
Finance and Budgeting
Banking, investments, taxes, accounting, billing.
General Business
Contracts, negotiations, mergers, marketing, sales, invoicing, warranties, business planning, conferences, labor relations.
Health Care
Medical insurance, visits to doctors/dentists, clinics, hospitals.
Housing / Corporate Property
Construction, specifications, buying and renting, electric and gas services.
TOEIC Test Format
| Section | Part | Description | Number of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening Comprehension (45 minutes – 495 points) | Part 1 | Photograph Descriptions | 10 |
| Part 2 | Questions & Responses | 30 | |
| Part 3 | Short Conversations | 30 | |
| Part 4 | Short Talks | 30 | |
| Reading Comprehension (75 minutes – 495 points) | Part 5 | Sentence Completion | 40 |
| Part 6 | Text Completion | 12 | |
| Part 7 | Single Passages | 28 | |
| Double Passages | 20 | ||
| Total | 7 Parts | 200 questions – 120 minutes – 990 points |
Registration, Test Taking, Score Report
Registration
You can register for the TOEIC test online or in person at a test site in your country.
Test Taking
On the test day, you must:
- Provide proof of your identity to the supervisor.
- Only have on your desk your identification card.
- Ensure mobile phones, pagers, and any electronic devices are switched off and placed with personal belongings outside the test room.
- Not lend anything to, or borrow anything from, another candidate during the test.
- Listen to the supervisor and do what you are asked to do.
- Tell the supervisor or invigilator at once if you think you are not given the right test booklet, or if the test booklet is incomplete or illegible.
- Read carefully and follow the instructions printed in the test booklet.
- Fill your name and registration number on your answer sheet before the start of the test.
- Listen carefully to the recorded instructions to familiarize yourself with the listening volume in the test room.
- Remember your test date and registration number so that you can check your test result online later.
Score Report
- Results are issued by test centers, usually 20 days after the test.
- Institutions or organizations where you have registered may access your result before you receive it by mail.
Contact IIG Vietnam for registration information
Ho Chi Minh City Office
Lầu 8, Tòa nhà số 538, Đường Cách Mạng Tháng Tám, Phường 11, Quận 3, TP. Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (08) 3990 5888
Fax: (08) 3990 5999
Email: saigon@igvietnam.com
Da Nang Office
268, Đường Trần Phú, Quận Hải Châu, TP. Đà Nẵng
Tel: (0511) 3565 888
Fax: (0511) 3565 154
Email: danang@igvietnam.com
Ha Noi Office
75, Đường Giang Văn Minh, Quận Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (04) 3772 2411 / 3773 2602
Fax: (04) 3772 2411
Email: hanoi@igvietnam.com
You may also register directly online.
TOEIC Tips
Before Entering the Test Room
- Make sure you know the date, time, and your test venue and arrive before the scheduled starting time.
- Bring along your registration form and identification card.
- Bring along your notebooks, MP3 CD, or any study materials you have so that you can take a look at them during the waiting time.
During the Test
Listening Test
- While the recorded general directions for Parts 1 and 2 are given, use this time to read the questions in Part 3.
- When you hear “Now let us begin Part 1”, stop reading and return to Part 1.
- Mark answers only on the answer sheet.
- Do not spend too much time on any single question.
- Mark only one answer choice per question.
- Try to answer every question.
- While directions for Part 3 are given, read questions 41–43 and their choices. Do the same for questions 71–73 while the directions for Part 4 are given. Underline key words.
- For Parts 3 and 4, you may mark answers in the test booklet first, then transfer them later.
Reading Test
- Total time is 75 minutes; pace yourself.
- Spend at most 30 seconds per question for Parts 5 and 6.
- Spend about 5 minutes per passage in Part 7.
- Work quickly and mark answers immediately on your answer sheet.
- Skip unanswered questions and return later.
- Your score is based on correct answers only.
- Marking more than one answer counts as wrong.
Completing Your Test
- There will be announcements when 15 minutes and 3 minutes remain.
- When time is up, submit your test booklet and answer sheet immediately.
TOEIC Reading Test
Part 5 – Sentence Completion (40 questions)
Part 5 consists of 40 gapped-sentence questions. You must choose the option that creates a complete, grammatical, and logical sentence.
There are 25 grammar questions and 15 vocabulary questions.
Recommended time: 20 minutes.
Grammar Example
The ______ step of this project will be to present our proposal to the board of trustees and the acting CEO.
(A) finally
(B) final
(C) finality
(D) finalize
Vocabulary Example
The company, known for its airtight food ______, began manufacturing nonstick pans in an attempt to hold a broader part of the kitchenware market.
(A) dishes
(B) bowls
(C) containers
(D) plates
Part 6 – Text Completion (12 questions)
Part 6 includes four short texts, each with three gaps.
Recommended time: 5 minutes.
Example
In an urgent announcement yesterday, TNA Electronics issued a ______ for a total recall on all Chop-O-Matic blenders.
- (A) regard
(B) replacement
(C) resignation
(D) retirement
Because of this ______, the cutting device can become dislodged, injuring users.
2. (A) risk
(B) characteristic
(C) alteration
(D) defect
The company wished to provide full medical compensation and replace all returned products with a newer, safer version.
3. (A) replacement
(B) replace
(C) replacing
(D) replaced
Part 7 – Reading (48 questions)
Single Passages (28 questions)
7–10 short passages followed by 2–5 questions each.
Recommended time: 25 minutes.
Example Passage
This is an important memo informing all employees of a new policy regarding the usage of computers in the office. Due to an increase in personal use of computers during working hours, disciplinary measures have been initiated. To begin with, all staff members will have their computers monitored daily. Eventually, only approved websites will be accessible on work computers. Additionally, to turn on the computer, you will have to enter a login name and password. This policy will take effect as of June 10. Mrs. Anderson will be taking your password requests this week in Room 354. You may register anytime after June 2.
Question
When will the new monitoring system begin?
(A) After the first of the year
(B) Next week
(C) June 2
Double Passages (20 questions)
4 pairs of related passages, 5 questions each.
Recommended time: 25 minutes.
Example Pair
Memo
TO: All Staff
FROM: Nathan Perch, HR Manager, Superior Advertising Agency
Once again, the festive season draws near, and planning is underway for our annual Christmas party. The menu has been designed by Albertus Fabiola of the High Street Bistro and Grill. The tentative menu:
- Pasta Salad with avocado, red onion, and sesame dressing
- Hawaiian barbecued salmon with a coconut cream sauce
Please review the options and send suggestions within next week.
Email
TO: Nathan Perch
FROM: John Dory, Marketing Division Chief
Marketing staff are excited about the Christmas gathering. They suggest adding roasted vegetables to the second menu item, as the coconut cream sauce would pair well.
Question
What item does Mr. Dory suggest changing?
(A) Vegetable and noodle salad
(B) Coconut cream sauce
(C) Grilled seafood
(D) Spiced potatoes