1. INTRODUCTION
What is the TOEIC test?
What are the benefits of using the TOEIC test?
What is the content of the TOEIC test?
What is the format of the TOEIC test?
Listening comprehension
Reading comprehension
Who developed the TOEIC test?
Who uses the TOEIC test and how is it used?
Organizations
Recruiting, promoting and deploying employees
Technical training
Overseas assignments
Language training
English Training Programs/Language Schools
Placement
Demonstrating progress
Evaluating program effectiveness
Schools
School-to-work transition
Which skills are measured by the TOEIC test?
Can candidates fail the TOEIC test?
What is the difference between
the TOEIC and TOEFL tests?
Does the TOEIC test meet ISO 9000 standards?
How fair is the TOEIC test?
How accurate are TOEIC test results?
Why are there different test forms?
Is it possible to study for the TOEIC test?
How quickly will candidates see
improvements in TOEIC scores?
2. TOEIC IN CHINA
Occupational Skill and Testing Authority (OSTA) of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of the People Republic of China
Laureate Education Inc.
Educational Testing Service
3. TOEIC SCORING AND RESULTS
Listening, Reading, and Total Scores
How is the test scored?
What do TOEIC scores mean?
Benchmarking
Experience.
Functional descriptions .
How long are TOEIC scores valid?
Are TOEIC scores confidential?
4. TEST ADMINISTRATION IN CHINA
Test Administration in China
On-site administration
Open sessions on fixed dates
TOEIC CAN-DO GUIDE
TOEIC GLOBAL CLIENT LIST (PARTIAL)
1. INTRODUCTION
What is the TOEIC test?
The TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) test is an English language
proficiency test for people whose native language is not English. It measures the
everyday English skills of people working in an international environment. TOEIC test
scores indicate how well people can communicate in English with others in the global
workplace. The test does not require specialized knowledge or vocabulary; it measures
only the kind of English used in everyday work activities. The TOEIC test is the
world s leading test of English language proficiency in a workplace context. More
than 5,300 corporations world wide use the TOEIC test and more than 3 million people
take the test every year.
What are the benefits of using the TOEIC test?
The TOEIC test:
people to the appropriate levels for specific jobs
candidate performance
can focus on the needs of the learners
another form
What is the content of the TOEIC test?
The TOEIC test was developed to meet the needs of the working world. The test
questions are developed from samples of spoken and written language collected
from various countries around the world where English is used in the workplace.
Test questions incorporate many different settings and situations, such as:
-
General business - contracts, negotiations, marketing, sales, business planning, conferences
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Manufacturing - plant management, assembly lines, quality control
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Finance and budgeting - banking, investments, taxes, accounting, billing
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Corporate development - research, product development
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Offices - board meetings, committees, letters, memoranda, telephone, fax and e-mail
messages, office equipment and furniture, office procedures
-
Personnel - recruiting, hiring, retiring, salaries, promotions, job applications and advertisements
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Purchasing - shopping, ordering supplies, shipping, invoices
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Technical areas - electronics, technology, computers, laboratories and related equipment,
technical specifications
and gas services
-
Travel - trains, airplanes, taxis, buses, ships, ferries, tickets, schedules, station and airport
announcements, car rentals, hotels, reservations, delays and cancellations
-
Entertainment - cinema, theatre, music, art, media
-
Health - medical insurance, visiting doctors, dentists, clinics, hospitals
These settings provide only the context for TOEIC test questions candidates are not
required to know specialized business and technical vocabulary. The TOEIC test is
suitable for use in all environments where English is used by native speakers of other
languages.
What is the format of the TOEIC test?
The TOEIC test is a two-hour, paper-and-pencil,multiple-choice test that consists of
200 questions divided into two separately-timed sections.
Section I: Listening Comprehension
This section consists of 100 questions and is delivered by audio cassette. It is divided into
four parts. Candidates listen to a variety of statements, questions, short conversations,
and short talks recorded in English, then answer questions based on the listening
segments. The Listening Comprehension section takes approximately 45 minutes.
20 items (4-choice)
30 items (3-choice)
30 items (4-choice)
20 items (4-choice)
Section II: Reading Comprehension
The Reading Comprehension section consists of 100 questions presented in written
format in the test booklet. Candidates read a variety of materials and respond at their
own pace to questions based on the item content. The Reading Comprehension
section takes approximately 75 minutes.
40 items (4-choice)
20 items (4-choice)
40 items (4-choice)
Candidates respond to test questions by marking one of the letters (A), (B), (C),or (D)
with a pencil on a separate answer sheet. Although the actual testing time is
approximately two hours, additional time is needed to allow candidates to complete
the biographical questions on the answer sheet and to respond to a brief
questionnaire about their educational and work history. Therefore, you should allow
approximately 2.5 hours to take the test.
Who developed the TOEIC test?
Educational Testing Service (ETS) developed the TOEIC test in 1979 at the request of
the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in Japan. Over the years, the TOEIC
test was adopted in many other countries and quickly became the global standard
for assessing English in work-related contexts. Educational Testing Service is a
private organization devoted to educational measurement and research in psychometrics
and educational policy. Many of its well-known testing programs, such as the
TOEFL® test, the SAT® ,the GMAT® and the GRE® , involve multiple-choice test questions.
Each year, ETS also administers and scores approximately one million open-ended tests.
Who uses the TOEIC test and how is it used?
Organtizations
The TOEIC test has become a recognized standard for many organizations around
the world that need to evaluate the English proficiency of prospective or existing
employees. The test is used by a wide range of companies, from small businesses to
multinationals to government agencies, operating in many different industries and
regions. The TOEIC test is an important management tool that allows organizations to
make significant personnel decisions.
For example, it is often used to evaluate:
hospitals, restaurants, international meetings or conventions, and sports events
-
Managerial, sales, and technical employees in international business, commerce,
and industry who require English for their work
Appropriate uses of the TOEIC test in organizations may include:
Recruiting, promoting and deploying employees - Organizations may use the
TOEIC test to establish score standards,or benchmarks, based on the levels of English
necessary to carry out particular responsibilities. These benchmarks are then used as one
criterion in making personnel decisions.
Technical training - TOEIC test scores can be used to determine whether an individual
has sufficient English proficiency to participate in, and benefit from, training that is
conducted in English.
Overseas assignments - TOEIC scores can indicate whether an employee will be
able to work and interact successfully if posted to an English-speaking country.
Language training - TOEIC scores can be used to identify employees who require
further English language training,to set learning goals, and to monitor their progress.
English Training Programs/Language Schools
Language training programs find that the TOEIC test is an excellent placement tool and
a valuable measure of post-training proficiency. Many language schools offer the TOEIC
test to companies and individuals as an external means of language assessment. Organizations
encourage training programs to use the TOEIC test to demonstrate program effectiveness.
Appropriate uses of the TOEIC test in English training programs may include:
Placement - TOEIC test scores are used to place incoming and continuing students into
appropriate classes or levels of language training.
Demonstrating progress - The proficiency of a student or group can be tracked over
time by administering the TOEIC test multiple times (using different test forms) and
monitoring individual or group progress.
Evaluating program effectiveness - When the TOEIC test is administered to all
students at the beginning and the end of an English language course, the increase in test
scores can be used as one criterion to evaluate the effectiveness of the program in
improving students English language proficiency.
Schools
An increasing number of universities and institutions of higher education, particularly
engineering and business departments,require that their students take the TOEIC test prior
to graduation. These institutions recognize the importance of English skills in today s global
workplace and they see the TOEIC test as a tool to help new graduates integrate into the
professional world.
Appropriate uses for schools may include:
School-to-work transition - A specific level of English proficiency, as demonstrated
by TOEIC scores, is sometimes required by individual institutions as part of their
students overall education. This level is often established by educational institu-tions
in collaboration with employers to ensure that graduates possess sufficient English
language ability to participate effectively in the workforce.
Which skills are measured by the TOEIC test?
Our clients and candidates have asked us for rapid, affordable, and convenient
service, as well as for consistency of measurement worldwide. To accommodate
these demands, a decision was made to measure only listening and reading skills
directly. These skills can be tested objectively and cost-effectively. Testing speaking
and writing directly requires considerable time and expense, both for administering
the test and for scoring. Furthermore, any constructed response test relying on
human raters tends to be less reliable.However, the TOEIC test does provide an
indirect measure of speaking and writing. Studies with large samples of non-native
speakers of English from around the world have confirmed a strong link between
TOEIC results and oral proficiency. Smaller studies have shown a similar link with writing
skills. Technical Manual or Research Summary; Introduction for further details
about these studies.
Can candidates "fail" the TOEIC test?
The TOEIC test was developed to assess the English proficiency of those for whom
English is, or will be, necessary within a professional framework. The test is a norm referenced
proficiency test and is not an achievement test based on a specific
course syllabus. Thus, there is no one passing or failing score. However, organizations
may use the TOEIC test to set their own standards and may require that
employees or students have a certain minimum TOEIC score. This does not mean that
an individual will pass, or fail, the TOEIC test it simply means that he or she will meet,
or not meet, the standards set by a specific organization.
What is the difference between the TOEIC and TOEFL tests?
Because the TOEIC test provides a measure of general English used in the workplace
and does not contain academic language, many North American universities
and colleges prefer to use the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
test for admission decisions. The TOEFL test was created by Educational Testing
Service for students whose native language is not English and who are seeking
admission to colleges and universities in North America. Students planning to
pursue undergraduate or graduate degrees in North America will wish to take the
TOEFL test. Students who want to demonstrate their ability to use English in the
workplace, or organizations that must document employees English proficiency,
will prefer to use the TOEIC test. Because the TOEIC and TOEFL tests were
developed to serve distinctly different purposes, the design, content, context,
and range of proficiency each test measures are also very different.
Does the TOEIC test meet ISO 9000 standards?
The TOEIC test is not affiliated with ISO 9000. Rather than use general industrial
quality standards, the quality of the TOEIC test is ensured by specific psychometric
standards within ETS , the ETS Standards for Quality and Fairness. These standards
meet or exceed the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing,
published jointly by The American Educational Research Association, The American
Psychological Association, and The National Council on Measurement in Education.
How "fair" is the TOEIC test?
Like all ETS tests, each new form of the TOEIC test undergoes a stringent fairness
review. This review is conducted by the test developers, in collaboration with outside
reviewers, to be certain that all items (questions) are appropriate for use on
a global basis.
Every effort is made to ensure that the test is unbiased and culturally relevant to
our many candidates worldwide. The TOEIC test development team is careful to:
Avoid testing language that is specific to U.S. English (e.g., vocabulary, grammatical
constructions, idioms)
candidates from some cultures
-
Ensure the use of names from different nationalities
-
Avoid the use of locations, people, or events that would be known in only certain
regions or countries
How accurate are TOEIC test results?
The TOEIC test provides an extremely reliable indication of English proficiency. Extensive
research has demonstrated that TOEIC test scores are strongly related to scores on many
other measures of English language proficiency. This indicates that the TOEIC test is a valid
measure of English language proficiency. For more information on the reliability and validity
of the TOEIC test, please see the TOEIC Technical Manual.
Although the TOEIC test is highly reliable, no test measures performance with perfect
accuracy and consistency. An individual who takes several versions, or forms, of the test
within a short period of time obtains a number of scores that center around an average
value known as the true score. Two-thirds of the time, the obtained score on either the
Listening Comprehension or Reading Comprehension section of the TOEIC test is within 25
points of the true score.
Why are there different test forms?
There are many different versions, or test forms, for the TOEIC test. In this way, it is unlikely that
a candidate will take the same test form twice. This eliminates the possibility of improving test
scores by simply memorizing test questions rather than by improving English language skills.
TOEIC representatives are very careful to provide clients with different test forms on each
testing session.
One of the strengths of the TOEIC test is that each of the many test forms is equated to
previous tests so that a given score always means the same thing, regardless of which test
form is used. The equating process entails including a selection of items from previous test
forms on every new test form. Based on information about these items, it is possible to
accurately gauge the difficulty of the new test in relation to previous forms. Raw scores can
then be converted, using a statistical formula, into scale scores that are equivalent across
test forms.
Is it possible to study for the TOEIC test?
The TOEIC test is not based on the content of any particular English course or
textbook. It is a measure of general English language proficiency the overall ability
to use English. Improvement in proficiency may take some time and is generally
achieved through a combination of practice and study. The TOEIC test does not
require specific study or test preparation. As a person s level of English competence
increases, so too will his or her TOEIC score. However, it is recommended that
candidates read the Examinee Handbook prior to each testing session. The
Examinee Handbook provides information about the test and familiarizes candidates
with the content and format of the test so that they will be more at ease when
taking the test. Candidates should also immerse themselves in the language as
frequently as possible and in as many ways as possible.
For example, reading, watching TV and videos, taking an English course, and
speaking with friends and colleagues are some of the ways to practice English. There
are also a number of books and CD-ROMs about the TOEIC test that are marketed by
independent publishers. However, ETS does not operate, license, endorse, or recommend
any schools or study materials published by third parties that claim to prepare
people for the TOEIC test or that promise to improve a person s test score.
How quickly will candidates see improvements in TOEIC scores?
Improvement in overall English ability generally takes a considerable amount of
practice and study. There are many things that affect an individual s progress in
earning English motivation, amount of practice, the number of hours or weeks of
classroom study, previous exposure to English, as well as the type and quality of
instruction can all affect an individual s progress. It is difficult to say exactly how much
learning time is needed before a significant improvement in English proficiency is
seen. However, research has shown that at least 100 hours of language training is
usually required before students are able to demonstrate a real increase in TOEIC score s.
Of course, given the many factors that influence learning, some students may
require additional, or fewer, hours of instruction. The TOEIC program generally
recommends that students do not retake the TOEIC test until they have received
approximately 100 hours of English instruction and/or practice. However, native
speakers of languages that bear some similarity to English may find that they require
less instruction and/or practice.
2. TOEIC IN CHINA
The Occupational Skill and Testing Authority (OSTA) of the Ministry of Labor and
Social Security of the People's Republic of China and Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc.,
USA announced in November 11th, 2002 that the first administration of the Test of
English for International Communication (TOEIC) would be officially launched in
China on December 7th, 2002.
This marks for the first time the TOEIC is officially recognized in China. OSTA uses TOEIC
test to assess the English language capability of employees and issues its official
English Proficiency Certificates for workplaces in China based on the TOEIC scores.
TOEIC measures the reading and listening abilities of test takers.
I am pleased OSTA is sponsoring the official introduction of the TOEIC test in China, said
Professor Chen Yu, Director General of OSTA. This is the first time that a Chinese
government testing authority officially recognizes an overseas profe- ssional English
standard applicable in China. This is one important step in aligning China's occupational
skill certification with international standards.
The TOEIC Test, (more than 3 million tests delivered a year worldwide), is the world's
leading test of English language proficiency in a workplace setting. More than 5,300
multinational companies in more than 60 countries use the TOEIC to assess the
English language capability of their employees.
Occupational Skill and Testing Authority (OSTA) of the Ministry of Labor
and Social Security of the People s Republic of China
The Occupational Skill and Testing Authority (OSTA) is the China national authorized
testing organization under Ministry of Labor and Social Security for occupational
qualification, technical guidance for national employment, vocational training and
occupational skill assessment.
www.osta.org.cn
Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. (currently Laureate Education Inc.)
Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. is one of the largest for-profit providers of university level
education worldwide. Sylvan offers a broad range of career-oriented
academic programs, which includes traditional full time students for professional
careers with undergraduate, masters and PhD degree programs. With approximately
150,000 students at present, Sylvan's growth strategy moving forward is to grow
student enrollment by expanding existing campuses as well as building new
campuses. The company's goal is to build a post secondary education organization
serving 200,000 students, and generating revenue of more than $1 billion over the
next four years.
www.laureate-inc.com
Educational Testing Service
Educational Testing Service is the world's largest private educational testing and
measurement organization and a leader in educational research. The company is
dedicated to serving the needs of individuals, educational institutions, and government
bodies in almost 200 countries. ETS develops and administers more than 12
million tests worldwide.
www.ets.org
3. TOEIC SCORING AND RESULTS
Listening, Reading, and Total Scores
Three TOEIC scores are given for each candidate: a Listening Comprehension sub
score, a Reading Comprehension subscore, and a Total score that consists of the
sum of the Listening Comprehension and Reading Comprehension subscores.
Each subscore can range from 5 to 495. The Total score ranges from 10 to 990. For
the majority of candidates, the Listening Comprehension and Reading Comprehension
scores are rather similar. However, this may not hold true in all cases. For
example, a candidate may receive a Total score of 600 points but score 400 on
Reading Comprehension and only 200 on Listening Comprehension. In such cases,
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