TOEIC Exam GuideEvery exam's format, scoring, and task types were checked against each exam board's own official documentation in July 2026.

Test of English for International Communication

Score range

L&R: 10–990 · S&W: 0–400

Duration

L&R: 2h · S&W: ~1h 20m

Format

L&R and S&W are separate tests

Sections

4

Format

Test format & sections

Listening

45m · 100 questions (Parts 1–4)

Part 1: Photograph description (6q)Part 2: Question–Response (25q)Part 3: Short conversations — 3q per set (39q)Part 4: Short talks — 3q per set (30q)

Part 1: choose the best description of a photo. Part 2: hear a question/statement, pick the best response. Parts 3–4: each recording has 3 linked questions. Audio plays ONCE.

Reading

75m · 100 questions (Parts 5–7)

Part 5: Incomplete sentences — grammar / vocabulary (30q)Part 6: Text completion — 4 blanks per passage (16q)Part 7: Single, double, and triple passage comprehension (54q)

Part 7 passages include emails, articles, ads, schedules, and forms. Double and triple passages require linking information across texts. Time management is critical.

Speaking

~20m · 11 tasks

Read a text aloud (Tasks 1–2)Describe a picture (Task 3)Respond to questions (Tasks 4–6)Respond using provided information (Tasks 7–9)Propose a solution (Task 10)Express an opinion (Task 11)

Scored 0–200. Each task tests different dimensions — pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary, grammar, cohesion. Task 10: solve a voicemail problem. Task 11: 60-second structured opinion.

Writing

~60m · 8 tasks

Write a sentence about a photo using two given words (Tasks 1–2)Respond to a written workplace request (Tasks 3–5)Write an opinion essay 200–300w (Tasks 6–8)

Tasks 1–2: one grammatically correct sentence using both given words. Tasks 3–5: respond to workplace emails with specific information. Tasks 6–8: organised opinion essay in 30 minutes.

Scoring

How TOEIC is scored

L: 5–495 + R: 5–495 = L&R total (max 990). S: 0–200 + W: 0–200 = S&W total. Raw scores converted by statistical scaling.

Score levels

905–990
Advanced Professional
785–900
Working Proficiency
550–780
Limited Working
220–545
Elementary
0–215
Novice

Typical requirements

900+ L&RGlobal companies, senior / management positions
785+Professional roles, overseas assignments
600+Entry-level professional and corporate roles
550+Common Korean university graduation requirement
FAQ

TOEIC frequently asked questions

What does the TOEIC actually test?

TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) measures everyday workplace English, not academic English. It is widely used by companies in East Asia and Europe for hiring and promotion decisions.

What are the different TOEIC tests?

There are two main tests: Listening & Reading (L&R) — 200 questions, ~2.5 hours, scored 10–990; and Speaking & Writing (S&W) — scored separately, 0–200 each. Most employers only require the L&R test.

Is there a validity period for TOEIC scores?

ETS does not set an official expiry date on TOEIC scores. However, many employers and institutions treat scores older than 2 years as outdated in practice.

How is the Listening & Reading test structured?

Part 1–4 (Listening, 100 questions, ~45 min): photographs, question–response, conversations, talks. Part 5–7 (Reading, 100 questions, ~75 min): incomplete sentences, text completion, reading comprehension.

What score do most companies require?

This varies by company and role. General benchmarks: 550–700 L&R for general business roles, 700–800 for roles with regular international communication, 800+ for senior or client-facing positions. Korean and Japanese companies often publish specific cut-offs.