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__TOEIC __

**TOEIC** stands for **//Test// //of English for International Communication//** and is taken by millions of business professionals across the globe. **TOEIC** tests for a speaker’s proficiency across the four language skills, and focuses on their ability to communicate in everyday workplace situations. According to [|http://www.english-test.net] the test covers topics such as “corporate development, finance and budgeting, corporate property, IT, manufacturing, purchasing, offices, personnel, technical matters, [and] health and business travel”. Speaker proficiency is evaluated by means of two tests: the **TOEIC® Listening and Reading Test**, and the **TOEIC® Speaking and Writing Test**. Together the two assessment tests provide a reasonably precise appraisal of a speaker’s business English proficiency.


 * TOEIC® Listening and Reading Test **: This test is a paper and pencil test which is taken at testing centres across the world. It is a multiple choice test which is split up into two sections. Section I tests for listening proficiency while Section II tests for reading proficiency. Both sections are timed (45 minutes for the first and 75 minutes for the second, as well as an additional 30 minutes to answer biographical questions) and consist of 100 questions each. The questions in the tests are taken from real life contexts professionals are likely to encounter in the workplace. The test is not scored on a pass of fail basis but rather generates a speaker proficiency score which is valid for up to two years.
 * TOEIC® Speaking and Writing Test **: This test is taken online (on specific dates at secure online locations) and is available globally. It is separated into two parts. The **TOEIC® Speaking Test** contains 11 questions and takes around 20 minutes to complete. Precise directions for each question are given to the test taker including the amount on time they have to prepare and give their oral response. Test takers are asked to perform oral tasks such as reading a text aloud, giving and opinion, responding to a question, describing a picture or proposing a solution. Their performance is scored on a scale of 0-200. The **TOEIC® Writing Test** consists of 8 questions, takes about an hour to complete, and generates a score between 0-200. As with the speaking test, directions tell test takers what they are required to do in each question, as well as they amount of time they are given to answer each one. Questions 1-5 require test takers to write a sentence based on a picture, in questions 6-7 they must respond to a written request, and question 8 is an opinion essay. The test can be taken once a month and scores are valid for 2 years. Potential test takers can prepare for the **TOEIC® Speaking and Writing Test** by taking the **TOEIC® Practice Online: Speaking & Writing** Test. Unlike the actual test the practice test can be taken online at any time and provides useful feedback for improvement. For sample activities and more information on taking the online practice test click [|here].


 * Review:** Though it is best to take both the **TOEIC® Listening and Reading Test** as well as the **TOEIC® Speaking and Writing Test,** there are many who choose to take just one, and though the second online test was only later added to the TOEIC assessment syllabus it is, due to its online nature, easier to take. The online test, as its name suggests, does not test for all four skills although it does indirectly require reading comprehension skills as the test taker must understand and respond to the questions and instructions. The **TOEIC** test can be taken by anyone although usually students or young adults hoping to break into the workforce and business professionals find them most useful. Many individuals who are required to use English on a daily basis such as hotel, hospital, sporting event, convention or restaurant employees take the test. Managers, sales people, international businesspeople and people involved in commerce and industry will also find TOEIC a strong qualification to have.

According to [|http://www.ets.org] “More than **8,000** businesses, governments, schools and organizations in more than **90** countries throughout the world use the TOEIC® test **each year** to determine who has the English-language skills to succeed in the global workplace.” Due to the fact that it is so widely recognised is it a strong addition to any CV. It is beneficial both to test takers and potential employers or educational institutions as it sets a universal standard of measuring speaker proficiency in Business English. Additionally, the online test especially, which can be taken once a month enables speakers to track their progress and get useful feedback.