What is the TOEIC Test?

If you’re aiming to work in a global company or join a program that requires English, the TOEIC test is often the first step.

TOEIC stands for Test of English for International Communication.
It’s used worldwide by companies, schools, and organizations to check how well you can use English in real-life situations — especially at work.

This isn’t about advanced academic English or perfect grammar.
It’s about practical, everyday business English:

  • answering phone calls

  • writing clear emails

  • joining meetings

  • understanding workplace announcements

Two Types of TOEIC Tests

  • Listening & Reading – The most common version. Paper-based, 200 multiple-choice questions.

  • Speaking & Writing – Taken online. Some companies require it, many don’t.

If you’re starting out — or your company/school simply asked for a score — you’re almost certainly taking Listening & Reading.

How Long Is It?

About 2 hours total:

  • Listening: ~45 minutes

  • Reading: ~75 minutes

You only hear the audio once, so focus and time management matter.

Test Structure

Listening (4 parts)

  1. Photographs (6 Qs) – Choose the sentence that matches the photo.

  2. Question–Response (25 Qs) – Pick the best reply to a spoken question.

  3. Conversations (39 Qs) – 2–3 people talking; 3 questions per conversation.

  4. Short Talks (30 Qs) – Announcements or presentations; 3 questions each.

Reading (3 parts)
5. Incomplete Sentences (30 Qs) – Grammar & vocabulary.
6. Text Completion (16 Qs) – Fill in blanks in short passages.
7. Reading Comprehension (54 Qs) – Emails, articles, notices; includes single, double, and triple passages.

Scoring

  • Listening: 5–495 points

  • Reading: 5–495 points

  • Total: 10–990 points

  • No “pass” or “fail” — just a score showing your current level.

Typical Score Goals

  • 600+ – University entry (Japan)

  • 650–700 – Basic jobs / internal promotions

  • 750–850 – Large companies, international work

  • 900+ – Global-level English; often needed at top global companies

Your First Step

If this still feels overwhelming — you’re not broken.
You just need clarity and the right plan.

Take the free learning block quiz to discover where you might be losing points and what to fix first.


From there, we’ll help you focus on the changes that make the biggest difference

A group of Japanese university students gathers outside the entrance to an examination room. They appear anxious and serious, holding notebooks and backpacks while waiting to enter the test facility.
❓ TOEICについてのよくある質問（日本語） Q1: TOEICはどのようなテストですか？ A1: TOEICは、国際的な職場で使える英語力を測るテストです。リスニングとリーディングを中心に構成され、ビジネスの場で役立つ英語スキルが評価されます。 Q2: TOEICにはどんな種類がありますか？ A2: 主に「Listening & Reading」と「Speaking & Writing」の2種類があります。ほとんどの人が受験するのはListening & Readingテストです。 Q3: TOEICのスコアはどのように決まりますか？ A3: リスニングとリーディングそれぞれに5〜495点が与えられ、合計で10〜990点のスコアになります。 Q4: 何点くらい取ればいいですか？ A4: 目的によって異なります。大学入試なら600点以上、一般企業なら650〜700点、大手企業なら750点以上が目安です。 Q5: 試験時間はどれくらいですか？ A5: 合計で約2時間です。リスニングが約45分、リーディングが約75分です。 Q6: テスト内容にはどんな問題がありますか？ A6: 写真描写、応答、会話、説明文、文法、長文読解など、実生活に近い英語が使われます。 ❓ Common Questions About the TOEIC Test (English) Q1: What is the TOEIC test? A1: TOEIC is a test that measures your English ability for working in international environments. It focuses on listening and reading skills used in real-world business settings. Q2: What types of TOEIC tests are there? A2: There are two main types: "Listening & Reading" and "Speaking & Writing." Most people take the Listening & Reading test. Q3: How is the TOEIC score calculated? A3: You get 5–495 points for Listening and 5–495 for Reading. Your total score is between 10 and 990. Q4: What score should I aim for? A4: It depends on your goal. For university entrance, aim for 600+. For regular jobs, 650–700. For big companies or global roles, 750–900+ is best. Q5: How long is the test? A5: The full test takes about 2 hours—around 45 minutes for Listening and 75 minutes for Reading. Q6: What kind of questions are in the test? A6: The TOEIC test includes photo descriptions, short replies, conversations, talks, grammar questions, and long reading passages. It uses everyday workplace English.