Understanding The TOEIC Exam |
Test Preparation Services (TPS)
Information on taking the TOEIC exam in Ottawa and the path for finding a tutor or self-studying in Ottawa.
Ottawa
Ontario |
What Is It?
TOEIC is a business or working person's English test or working person's test. It is created and administered through the ETS (same institution that does TOEFL.. It is meant to see whether a person can use English in the working world and in an international environment
Why Take It
Well for starters a lot of companies use TOEIC to see if your english is good enough to work for them. A number of companies from around the world use it for recruitment. Browse through this PDF dwnlaod from ETS to see if any of these companies are ones yu may be interested in working for
Beyond that, a lot of overseas universities use it for proper placement into classes. To my knowledge however it is not a test for university entry so try the others
But here's my favourite reason. Preparing for TOEIC exam is an excellent way to get ready for business English and if you are planning to work in a company here or overseas, it is an excellent way to train because you have a good professional way of assessing your business English.
Beyond that, a lot of overseas universities use it for proper placement into classes. To my knowledge however it is not a test for university entry so try the others
But here's my favourite reason. Preparing for TOEIC exam is an excellent way to get ready for business English and if you are planning to work in a company here or overseas, it is an excellent way to train because you have a good professional way of assessing your business English.
What are its parts?
TOEIC states 3 parts but you might like to think of it as 4 if you separate listening and writing:
1. Listening Test
Time: 45 minutes listening; 75 minutes reading
Questions: 100 multiple-choice questions in listening (paper & pencil), 100 multiple-choice assessment in reading (paper & pencil)
Criteria:
Parts:
Listening 1 Photos 10 questions
Listening 2: Question response 30 questions
Listening 3: Conversations 30 questions
Listening 4: Short Talks 30 questions
Reading 5: Incomplete sentences: 40 questions
Reading 6: Text Completion: 20 questions
Reading 7: Reading comprehension (single and double passages): 40 questions
Two good links for the part are the ETS official site Listening and Reading Handbook (PDF).and one by Exam English
2. Speaking Test
Time: 20 minutes
Questions: 11 questions
Criteria:
Parts:
1–2, Read a text aloud, (Pronunciation [includes Intonation and stress])
3, Describe a picture, (Pronunciation, Grammar, Vocabulary, Cohesion)
4–6, Respond to questions, ( All criteria)
7–9, Respond to questions using information provided, (All criteria)
10, Propose a solution, ( All criteria)
11, Express an opinion, (All criteria)
Two good links for the part are the ETS official site and one by Exam English
3. Writing test
Time: 60 minutes
Questions: 8 questions
Criteria:
8 questions
Parts:
Q. 1-5 Write a sentence based on a picture (Grammar, Relevance)
Q. 6-7 Respond to a written request (Variety, vocabulary, organization)
Q. 8 Write an opinion essay (support, grammar, vocabulary, organization)
Two good links for the part are the ETS official site and one by Exam English
1. Listening Test
Time: 45 minutes listening; 75 minutes reading
Questions: 100 multiple-choice questions in listening (paper & pencil), 100 multiple-choice assessment in reading (paper & pencil)
Criteria:
Parts:
Listening 1 Photos 10 questions
Listening 2: Question response 30 questions
Listening 3: Conversations 30 questions
Listening 4: Short Talks 30 questions
Reading 5: Incomplete sentences: 40 questions
Reading 6: Text Completion: 20 questions
Reading 7: Reading comprehension (single and double passages): 40 questions
Two good links for the part are the ETS official site Listening and Reading Handbook (PDF).and one by Exam English
2. Speaking Test
Time: 20 minutes
Questions: 11 questions
Criteria:
- Pronunciation,
- Grammar,
- Vocabulary,
- Cohesion
- Relevance
- Completeness
Parts:
1–2, Read a text aloud, (Pronunciation [includes Intonation and stress])
3, Describe a picture, (Pronunciation, Grammar, Vocabulary, Cohesion)
4–6, Respond to questions, ( All criteria)
7–9, Respond to questions using information provided, (All criteria)
10, Propose a solution, ( All criteria)
11, Express an opinion, (All criteria)
Two good links for the part are the ETS official site and one by Exam English
3. Writing test
Time: 60 minutes
Questions: 8 questions
Criteria:
8 questions
- Grammar
- Relevance
- Variety
- Vocabulary
- Organization
- Support
Parts:
Q. 1-5 Write a sentence based on a picture (Grammar, Relevance)
Q. 6-7 Respond to a written request (Variety, vocabulary, organization)
Q. 8 Write an opinion essay (support, grammar, vocabulary, organization)
Two good links for the part are the ETS official site and one by Exam English
Scoring
:Listening and Reading Scores
Scores on the TOEIC Listening and Reading test are based on number of correct answers and is converted to a scaled score. Three TOEIC Listening and Reading scaled scores are given for each examinee:
For a more detailed descriptors mean in terms of what you can do, try this ETS link on score desriptors
Speaking Test Scores
0–30 = 1
40–50 = 2
60–70 = 3
80–100= 4
110–120 = 5
130–150 = 6
160–180 = 7
190–200 = 8
Writing Test Scores
WRITING Scaled Score Proficiency Level
0–30 = 1
40 = 2
50–60 = 3
70–80 = 4
90–100 = 5
110–130 = 6
140–160 = 7
170–190 = 8
200= 9
Scores on the TOEIC Listening and Reading test are based on number of correct answers and is converted to a scaled score. Three TOEIC Listening and Reading scaled scores are given for each examinee:
- οne for the Listening Section
- οne for the Reading Section
- οne Total Score that consists of the sum of the Listening Section and Reading Section sub-scores.
For a more detailed descriptors mean in terms of what you can do, try this ETS link on score desriptors
- 905 - 990 International Proficiency
- 785 – 900 Working Proficiency Plus
- 605 – 780 Limited Working Proficiency
- 405 – 600 Elementary Proficiency Plus
- 255 – 400 Elementary Proficiency
- 185 – 250 Memorised Proficiency
- 10 – 180 No Useful Proficiency
Speaking Test Scores
- Questions 1–9 are rated on a scale of 0–3.
- Questions 10–11 are rated on a scale of 0–5.
- The sum of the ratings is converted to a scaled score of 0–200.
- Eight proficiency levels are provided.
0–30 = 1
40–50 = 2
60–70 = 3
80–100= 4
110–120 = 5
130–150 = 6
160–180 = 7
190–200 = 8
Writing Test Scores
- Questions 1–5 are rated on a scale of 0–3.
- Questions 6–7 are rated on a scale of 0–4.
- Question 8 is rated on a scale of 0–5.
- The sum of the ratings is converted to a scaled score of 0–200.
- Nine proficiency levels are provided.
WRITING Scaled Score Proficiency Level
0–30 = 1
40 = 2
50–60 = 3
70–80 = 4
90–100 = 5
110–130 = 6
140–160 = 7
170–190 = 8
200= 9
Self Study Resources
Since TOEIC is such an established test, there are many ways to self-study TOEFL at no cost. We provide our own tips as well as useful links to in our TOEIC Tips page. There you will find a wealth of resources and free exams from the more reputable sources. For free practice we provide pages on reading and listening and speaking and writing.
TOEIC Tutors
The idea behind getting a tutor is to receive some guided practice through the practice tests so that you cn thn take over the process and do the self study materials. You will receive feedback and tips and take it from there. A tutorial generally lasts for just 4- 5 lessons and cover all the sub-skills (ie listening, reading speaking and writing). Go to our TOEIC tutor page and check availability.
TOEIC Classes
There are few classes specifically designed fo TOEIC. ACDE language school and CLLC in Ottawa hold Academic English classes that they say cover IELTS, TOEFL, CAEL, and TOEIC Preparation and EF has an online course in TOEIC. There are a number of schools in Montreal.
TOEIC Exam Center
There is a location that holds the TOEIC exam and it is in the University OF Ottawa. Go to our TOEIC Exam in Ottawa Location page to get the exact address and take a look at the dates fees and policies for taking TOEIC