TOEIC Listening and Reading Test

The TOEIC examination is a standardized test for identifying a candidate's language proficiency in English and is typically designed for non-native speakers of the language. This exam is designed particularly for the workspace, unlike exams like TOEFL and IELTS which are taken prominently by students. This test deals with how the candidates use English in their daily lives and professional spaces.

It is recommended that candidates take the Listening and Reading Test along with the Speaking and Writing Test to prove their proficiency of the language they have. Candidates who have a lower or intermediate level of knowledge in the language can take the TOEIC Bridge Test to prove their language proficiency.

Who can take the Listening and Reading Test?

The TOEIC Listening and Reading Test is taken by candidates planning to enter new workspaces or getting promoted from their current positions. This is mainly done by candidates who are in either field related to hotel management, restaurants, or hospitals, along with people who work in settings like conventions, events, and other business meetings. This test is designed to assess English language proficiency in listening and reading comprehension, making it suitable for non-native English speakers who wish to demonstrate their language skills for academic, professional, or personal purposes.

Candidates who work in managerial positions or sales departments or are technical employees in business, commerce, and industries will also be required to take the test due to the importance of English in their workspace.

The exam lets the candidate and their employer verify their level of English knowledge. It also allows them to qualify for superior positions at their jobs by increasing their professional credentials. This examination is accepted in almost 160 countries worldwide and in over 14,000 institutions, providing the candidate with ample opportunities both within and outside their work atmosphere.

Where to take the TOEIC Listening and Reading Test?

The TOEIC Listening and Reading Test can be taken from anywhere worldwide through institutional or public testing. Most organizations, institutions, and corporations require their employees to take the test and arrange the tests for all employees. If this is not done by the organization the candidate works in, they will be able to contact their nearest EPN Office to know the details of public testing that will be available to them as soon as possible and take the test accordingly.

How to Register/Apply for TOEIC Listening and Reading Test?

Individuals wishing to take the TOEIC Listening and Reading test should contact their nearest ETS Preferred Network (EPN) office to obtain information regarding test dates and availability in their country. In cases where an EPN office is not present, or if candidates need an alternative testing site, they may refer to the contact details provided below:
Email: TOEIC@ets.org
Phone: 1-609-771-7170
Fax: 1-610-628-3722
Mail: TOEIC Program; ETS; Rosedale Road; Princeton, NJ 08541 USA

Cost of Taking TOEIC Listening and Reading Test

The cost associated with the TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) Listening and Reading Test can vary based on several factors, including the location of the test, the testing center, and any additional services or materials that may be offered. The registration fee can range from approximately $85 to $200, depending on the country and testing center.

Test Format for Listening and Reading Test

The Listening and Reading Test is administered in two formats- Linear or Multistage Adaptive. Each version has a different number of questions and test duration.

TOEIC Listening Section

The Listening section tests the candidate's understanding of spoken English and their ability to understand the language in everyday life.

Question type	Linear Version	Adaptive Version
		Unit 1	Unit 2
Photographs	6 questions	3 questions	-
Question-Response	25 questions	4 questions	5 questions
Conversations	39 questions	9 questions	9 questions
Talks	30 questions	9 questions	6 questions
Total	100 questions	25 questions	20 questions

Time allotted: 45 minutes (linear version)/25 minutes (adaptive version)
Number of questions: 100 (linear version)/45 (adaptive version)

• Photographs- In this section, the candidate will see a photograph on the screen followed by 4 spoken statements. The candidate will have to select the statement that best describes the photograph.
• Question-Response- The candidate will hear a question followed by 3 responses. The candidate will have to select the response that best answers the question.
• Conversations- The candidates will hear some conversations, each followed by 3 questions based on that conversation. The candidate has to choose an answer to each of those questions from the 4 options provided.
• Talks- For each task in this section, the candidate will hear a speech or a talk by a speaker followed by 3 questions on that talk. The candidate has to choose the correct option out of 4 given choices that best answer that question.

TOEIC Reading Section

This section tests the candidate's ability to understand written English. They will read certain written materials and respond to the questions asked. This section assesses the candidate's reading comprehension skills.

Question type	Linear Version	Adaptive Version
		Unit 1	Unit 2
Incomplete Sentences	30 questions	5 questions	7 questions
Text Completion	16 questions	4 questions	4 questions
Reading Comprehension	Single Passages- 29 questions; 10 texts with 2-3 questions each	16 questions	9 questions
	Multiple Passages- 25 questions; 5 multiple paragraph texts with 5 questions each
Total	100 questions	25 questions	20 questions

Time allotted: 75 minutes (linear version)/37 minutes (adaptive version)
Number of questions: 100 (linear version)/45 (adaptive version)

• Incomplete Sentences- The candidate has to figure out the missing word or phrase in a sentence from the 4 given options.
• Text Completion- Certain words or phrases will be missing in a text. The candidate has to choose the appropriate answers that would fill those blanks.
• Reading Comprehension- The candidate will have to answer a few questions based on the texts provided.

Scoring for Listening and Reading Test

TOEIC does not have a pass-or-fail grade. The Listening and Reading test assesses the candidate's listening and reading skills. The score is provided in bands, which give an idea of their English language comprehension ability.

TOEIC Listening Section

The Listening section is graded on a scale of 200-400, where 400 is the highest and 200 is the lowest. The level indicated by each score band is as follows-

Score Band	Proficiency Level
400	Can deduce the main idea, intent, and fundamental context of brief spoken interactions, experiencing difficulties primarily when faced with unusual grammar or vocabulary
300	May find it difficult to understand the main idea and context of brief spoken interactions, especially when responses are indirect, unpredictable, or use complex language.
200	May struggle to understand the main idea of brief verbal interactions, even when the language is simple and clear

TOEIC Reading Section

The Reading section is graded on a scale of 150-450, where 450 is the highest and 150 is the lowest. The level indicated by each score band is as follows-

Score Band	Proficiency Level
450	Can grasp the main idea and intent of a text and conclude details struggling only with complex material or difficult vocabulary
350	Can understand the main idea and details of a text but struggle to integrate information across sections and find complex vocabulary challenging
250	Can draw basic conclusions from the limited text but struggles with inferences requiring paraphrasing or linking information
150	Can accurately answer factual questions with minimal reading when the text's language matches the information needed

Validity of TOEIC Listening and Reading Test Scores

The validity period of TOEIC Listening and Reading test scores typically lasts for two years from the date of the test. This means that the scores are considered valid and can be used for two years for job applications, educational admissions, or professional certifications.

Getting TOEIC Listening and Reading Test Scores

Candidates who take the test at a public test center independently rather than through their school or employer will receive their scores directly from the local ETS Preferred Network (EPN) office. Additionally, candidates have the option to submit a written request to their EPN office, authorizing the release of their scores to a designated organization.

When candidates complete the test via their school, employer, or another organization, ETS directly transmits the scores to that specific institution or organization. These scores are kept confidential and only shared with ETS and the sponsoring entity; they are not transferable globally.

Test Dates for TOEIC Listening and Reading Test

The TOEIC Listening and Reading test can be taken in a public testing center or a private testing center administered by an organization. The public testing is administered 12 times annually in the United States and Canada. The private testing and global public testing dates can vary by location, so candidates need to check with their local testing centers or the official TOEIC website for the most current schedule.

ID Requirements for TOEIC Listening and Reading Test

On the test day, candidates are required to bring their ID, which fulfills the following requirements-

• Acceptable and Valid ID with Signature.
• Should contain a recognizable photograph of the candidate.
• Should not have expired.
• Should be government-issued.

Candidates are required to use the same name that is present on the ID they have provided. The name should match the name that has been provided during registration. Misspellings of the name can be corrected before the examination, but name changes will not be made on the test day. It is also advisable that the candidate brings a secondary ID, which will have to be submitted if the test center administrator does not accept the primary ID.

The IDs that are accepted for TOEIC are-

• Passport with photograph and signature
• Driver’s License with photograph and signature
• State Identification with photograph and signature
• National Identification with photograph and signature
• Military Identification with photograph and signature

Test Day Procedures for TOEIC Listening and Reading Test

Candidates taking the test are requested to follow the rules and regulations established by ETS and the test center. The regulations are applicable from the moment the candidate enters the test hall until they leave it after the test. The regulations are as follows-

• Candidates must dress to be comfortable at any temperature.
• Friends and relatives cannot wait at the test center during the test.
• ID verification can include thumb printing, photographing, biometric confirmation, etc. Refusing disqualifies them from taking the test.
• Personal items are not allowed in the test hall. They can be deposited in the spaces provided as instructed by the test center staff.
• The seat for every candidate will be assigned by the test administrator.
• Test takers will not be allowed to enter the test hall once the test has commenced and the test materials have already been distributed.
• Paper of any kind is prohibited in the test hall.
• Candidates are not allowed to mark anything on the test book.