🎯 TOEIC Scoring Explained — What Your Score Really Means
Most people take the TOEIC test… but few understand how the score works.
Most people take the TOEIC test… but few understand how the scoring works.
If you don’t know how you’re scored, you can’t improve strategically.
Let’s fix that.
1 – The TOEIC Score Range
Total: 10–990 points
Listening: 5–495
Reading: 5–495
No penalty for wrong answers — always guess.
Even if you run out of time, a guess still gives you a chance at points.
2 – Raw Score vs. Scaled Score
Raw score = the number of correct answers.
ETS converts this into a scaled score to adjust for test difficulty.
Two people with the same raw score may get different final scores.
You can’t calculate your exact score by simply counting correct answers.
3 – Why Listening Scores Are Often Higher
It’s normal for listening scores to be stronger at first.
Reading demands more strategy, time control, and mental stamina — but with practice, you can close the gap.
4 – What Counts as a “Good” TOEIC Score?
600+ – Minimum for many Japanese companies.
730+ – Competitive for promotions or overseas assignments.
850+ – High-level roles, such as management.
900+ – Elite level — language professionals, trainers, global consultants.
Use your score to target the next step, not as a judgment of your worth.
5 – Scoring Insights to Remember
You don’t need a perfect score to succeed.
Blank answers = wasted opportunities.
Scaled scores reflect strategy as well as language skill.
Treat your score as feedback for your study plan, not a label.
Bottom line:
Understanding your TOEIC score means you can set smarter goals, avoid panic, and improve faster.
For more strategies and resources to guide your next step, visit the English Library Collection and explore ideas you can apply to your preparation.
