Understanding the Basics of TOEIC Test Structures: A Comprehensive Guide
Welcome to our guide on the TOEIC test structures! The TOEIC test is a widely recognized exam for people who want to show their English skills. In this guide, we’ll explain the basics of the test, including its sections and question types.
Whether you’re getting ready for the TOEIC test or just want to understand these exams better, this guide will give you the knowledge you need.
Table of Contents
Who is making TOEIC tests?
TOEIC stands for “Test Of English for International Communication”
The first “T” stands for test. Therefore, it would be a mistake to call it the TOEIC test.
The organization that produces TOEIC is a non-profit organization called ETS.
Founded in 1947 in New Jersey, U.S.A., it is the world’s largest non-profit test development organization, developing the very famous TOEIC Program, TOEFL, SAT, GRE, and other tests.
In Japan, TOEIC is operated by an instute called The International Institute for Business Communication (IIBC) in Japan.
As stated on the IIBC page here, TOEIC is a test invented by Japanese people.
“In the 1970s, the yen shifted to a floating exchange rate system and the Japanese economy was integrated into the global economy. This led to a rapid expansion of Japanese companies, especially in the manufacturing industry, to overseas markets. In addition to the managerial aspects of cost and efficiency, there was also the objective of alleviating trade friction between Japan and developed countries.
In other words, there was a sense that Japan would not be able to survive in the future without deepening understanding of people and companies outside of Japan. To this end, more Japanese people need to improve their English communication skills. We should develop an effective program for this purpose. This is how the TOEIC L&R development project was initiated by Japanese.”
Types of TOEIC
There are two main types of TOEIC : TOEIC Tests and TOEIC Bridge Tests
TOEIC Tests
There are three types of TOEIC Tests!
- TOEIC Listening & Reading Test
2. TOEIC Speaking & Writing Tests
3. TOEIC Speaking Test
TOEIC Listening & Reading Tests
Typically, when it is referred to as TOEIC, it is TOEIC L&R. It tests listening and reading skills. It has been used since 1979.
TOEIC Speaking & Writing Tests
The importance of the four skills in English is emphasized. The TOEIC Speaking & Writing Tests, which were introduced in 2007, are designed to assess speaking and writing abilities.
TOEIC Speaking Test
The TOEIC Speaking Test is the speaking portion of the Speaking & Writing Tests. There used to be a writing-only test, but it did not become popular and is no longer available.
Read more here : The best ways to score high on the TOEIC Listening part.
TOEIC Bridge Tests
There are two main types of TOEIC Bridge Tests.
1 TOEIC Bridge Listening & Reading Tests
2 TOEIC Bridge Speaking & Writing Tests
The TOEIC Bridge Tests are more familiar than the TOEIC Tests in the following ways
・Everyday and familiar subject
・Half the questions and half the test time
・Listening speed is slower.
The tests are for beginners and intermediates.
It is often taken by company groups and is not widely used by the general public.
This article will focus on the TOEIC Listening & Reading Test, which is taken by the largest number of people!
Basic of TOEIC L&R
Listening- (About 45min・100 questions)
Reading(75min・100 questions)
The test is a multiple choice system with a total of 200 questions to be answered in approximately 2 hours.
Listening is from Part 1 to Part 4. The Reading section is from Part 5 to Part 7.
The score is divided half between Listening and Reading, and the other half between Listening and Reading.
In other words Listening 5 to 495points and Reading 5 to 495 points、
The total score ranges from 10 to 990 in increments of 5 points.
Mean Score
Let’s look at the most recent scores, as of March 21, 2021!
They are published on the official website.
Number of examinees:53,539
You can also check the score distribution on the official site!
Listening | Reading | Total | |
---|---|---|---|
Maximum Score | 495 | 495 | 990 |
Minimum Score | 5 | 5 | 10 |
Mean Score | 330.1 | 277.7 | 607.8 |
Standard Deviation | 85.5 | 91.8 | 168.3 |
Although there are discrepancies from time to time, scores are often around 600.
Country Score
Very interestingly, the average score by country of examinees is also published every year.
The various data for 2019 are summarized here.
Listening | Reading | |
Canada | 463 points | 414 points |
South Korea | 375 points | 303 points |
India | 347 points | 315 points |
China | 294 points | 277 points |
Taiwan | 307 points | 255 points |
Japan | 291 points | 232 points |
Thailand | 282 points | 203 points |
Mean score for Japan is faster to count from the bottom.
Question Structure of TOEIC L&R
TOEIC L&R consists of Listening (about 45 minutes, 100 questions) and Reading (75 minutes, 100 questions).
The total test time is about 2 hours, and you have to answer 200 questions in multiple choices.
The format is the same each time, and all answers are written on a separate answer sheet from the question paper. (No computer will be used).
The test consists entirely of English sentences, including explanations and questions, and there are no English-Japanese or Japanese-English translation questions!
Listening Sections – Here is the explanation from the official website
Listening Section | ||
---|---|---|
Part1 | 6 questions: Describing photographs Four short descriptive sentences for each photograph is aired only once. Choose the one that best describes the photo and mark it on the answer sheet. | |
Part2 | 25 questions : Response questions One question or sentence and three answers to each is aired only once. They are not printed. Choose the best answer to the question and mark it on the answer sheet. | |
Part3 | 39 questions : Conversation questions A conversation between two or three people is aired only once. They are not printed. Listen to the conversation, read the questions printed on the question paper (the questions will be broadcasted) and the answers, and mark the most appropriate answer among the four answers on the answer sheet. There are also questions that require examinees to relate what he or she hears in the conversation to the information he or she sees in the diagrams printed on the question paper. There are three questions for each conversation. | |
Part4 | 30 questions : Explanation questions A mini-talk like an announcement or narration is broadcast only once. They are not printed. Listen to each talk, read the questions printed on the question paper (the questions will be broadcast) and the answers, and mark the most appropriate answer from among the four answers on the answer sheet. Some questions require the participants to relate what they hear in the talk to the information they see in the diagrams printed on the question paper. There are three questions in each talk. |
Reading Sections
Reading Section(75min・100 questions)Answer questions for printed problems | |
---|---|
Part5 | 30 questions : fill-in-the-blank on short sentences To complete an incomplete sentence, choose the most appropriate one from among 4 answers and mark it on the answer sheet. |
Part6 | 16 questions : fill-in-the-blank on lomg sentences To complete an incomplete sentence, choose the most appropriate answer (a word, a phrase, or a sentence) from among 4 answers and mark the answer on the answer sheet. Each long sentence has 4 questions. |
Part7 | 29 questions : single document 25 questions : several documents Various documents are printed. Read the questions, select the most appropriate one from the four answers, and mark the answer on the answer sheet. There is also a question to select the most appropriate place to insert a new sentence in the document. Each document has several questions. |
How to study for TOEIC
Familiarize yourselves with tOEIC questions and structure!
It is important to get used to the TOEIC’s pattern of hook-ups and time allocation.
It is more important to study the official TOEIC question booklet in order to get a good understanding of the nature of the test itself, rather than detailed techniques.
It is also useful to take the test several times. Many people say, “I’ll take the test after I’ve studied a certain amount!
but it is also a good idea to take the test first.
Read more here : Things you must know about TOEIC PART 7
Grasp on the time allocation
While the Listening section progresses automatically through the audio, the Reading section requires you to solve it at your own pace.
The Reading section requires 75 minutes and 100 questions to be solved.
Let’s go over the structure again.
Part 5 is 30 questions
Part 6 is 16 questions
Part 7 is 54 questions- Part 7 contains more than half of the reading section.
Part 5 and Part 6 are fill-in-the-blank questions.
Even if you spend a lot of time on them, the correct answers rate will not increase much.
Therefore, if you don’t understand a question after thinking about it for about 10 seconds, choose it quickly.It’s important to leave some time for the long sentences in Part 7.
Skim On Long Sentences
If you read the long passages carefully and then solve the questions, you may forget the contents of the text.
Furthermore, you will run out of time …therefore, you want to read the parts that seem necessary instead of reading the whole text in detail.
I read carefully only the parts that seem to be related to the question. Other than that, I read the rest of the text in a very simple manner.
Conclusion
In conclusion, gaining a solid understanding of the TOEIC test structures is crucial for anyone aiming to achieve a high score. By familiarizing yourself with the various sections, question types, and time management strategies, you can approach the test with confidence and preparedness. Remember, consistent practice and utilizing available resources will significantly enhance your proficiency and performance.