All About TOEIC Exam 2026: Format, Syllabus, Registration Steps, Scores & Prep Tips
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All About TOEIC Exam 2026: Format, Syllabus, Registration Steps, Scores & Prep Tips

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Aishwarya
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Feb 12, 2026 17:40 IST
The TOEIC exam measures proficiency of English through tests that evaluate workplace communication capabilities which organisations use for international business academic studies and government purposes. TOEIC test maybe less acceptable, but holds great value internally. Check out the details on TOEIC exam in this article.

The TOEIC exam measures proficiency of English through tests that evaluate workplace communication capabilities which organisations use for international business academic studies and government purposes. TOEIC test maybe less acceptable, but holds great value internally. Check out the details on TOEIC exam in this article.

toeic exam

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) developed the TOEIC exam which functions as the most reliable English proficiency test used worldwide. The assessment measures how well non-native speakers can communicate in English during various professional and everyday situations. The TOEIC test evaluates practical business communication skills which people need to succeed not just in studying at universities abroad but also in corporate environments and international job scenarios.

Today, top universities globally use TOEIC scores to assess student eligibility for admissions and course placement. While employers rely on the scores for making hiring and promotion choices, and government organisations use the scores for their recruitment and immigration procedures. The assessment evaluates listening and reading and speaking and writing skills through authentic situations which include meetings and emails and travel conversations and presentations and office communications. TOEIC serves as an another English proficiency test apart from TOEFL and IELTS for students who want to study abroad or advance their careers or pursue paying job prospects.

Check out in detail about TOEIC Exam, its benefits and purpose along with registration and preparation details. Also understand, how TOEIC is different from IELTS and TOEFL.

Table of contents
  • TOEIC Exam Highlights
  • Why Take TOEIC Exam?
  • TOEIC Test Format & Syllabus
  • How to Register for TOEIC in India?
  • TOEIC Scoring Section Wise & Overall
  • How to Prepare for TOEIC Exam?
  • TOEIC vs TOEFL vs IELTS
View More

TOEIC Exam Highlights

Full Form

Test of English for International Communication

Conducting Body

Educational Testing Service (ETS)

Test Purpose

Workplace and professional English assessment

Exam Mode

Computer-based (Speaking and Writing) and

Paper-based or Digital (Listening + Reading)

Test Sections

Listening + Reading, Speaking + Writing

Negative Marking

No

Score Range

10 – 990 (Listening & Reading)

5 - 495 (Speaking + Writing)

Validity

2 Years

Global Acceptance

160+ Countries

Why Take TOEIC Exam?

The TOEIC exam enables students and professionals to assess their English language skills for use in actual business and workplace environments. The assessment functions as a reliable authentication tool which higher education institutions and employers use to evaluate candidates for academic programs, job positions, career advancements, and international work assignments.

  • The TOEIC examination results show which communication skills people need to succeed in professional work situations. The TOEIC exam provides its primary benefit through job advancement because strong exam results help candidates make better impressions in competitive employment markets while showing their English proficiency for work in professional settings.
  • TOEIC scores provide students with better chances to study abroad because universities and academic institutions around the world accept them as proof of language skills which students need to fulfill their requirements for international program admissions.
  • Global businesses use TOEIC as a recognised standard which assesses workplace communication abilities to help employers make unbiased hiring choices about candidates from various cultural backgrounds. The exam helps organisations find employees with exceptional communication skills, which are required for numerous leadership positions, international projects, and cross-border assignments.
  • The TOEIC test results help organisations assess language training needs because they show which English skills individuals need to work on for their training programs, which institutions and companies should create for their ongoing skill growth.

Who Gives TOEIC Test?

TOEIC test acts as a proficiency assessment for students and job seekers or even working professionals who want to demonstrate their English communication abilities. The test proves valuable for people who intend to work or study internationally where English skills are necessary. TOEIC test is frequently taken by:

  • University students planning to study abroad
  • Job seekers
  • Corporate employees
  • Government job aspirants

TOEIC Test Format & Syllabus

The TOEIC exam consists of different test formats that evaluate listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills. Candidates can take individual modules or a combination depending on institutional or employer requirements. Each section focuses on real-life professional communication tasks.

  1. TOEIC Listening and Reading Test

The most widely used version, typically taken in a paper-and-pencil or digital format. It measures receptive skills that is, ability to comprehend and at the same time understand spoken and written English. 

TOEIC L+R Section 

Part

Syllabus or Task Type

Questions

Time

Listening

Part 1

Photographs

6

45 Minutes

Part 2

Question-Response

25

Part 3

Conversations

39 (13 sets)

Part 4

Short Talks

30 (10 sets)

Reading

Part 5

Incomplete Sentences

30

75 Minutes

Part 6

Text Completion

16

Part 7

Single & Multiple Passages

54

TOTAL

200

2 Hours

Note: The score ranges from 10–990. The Listening and Reading sections are weighted equally (495 points each).

  1. TOEIC Speaking and Writing Tests

These tests are usually taken on a computer and assess productive communication skills. They can be taken together or separately. 

TOEIC S+W Section 

Task

Syllabus or Task Type

Questions

Time

Speaking

1–2

Read a text aloud

11

20 Minutes

3–4

Describe a picture

5

Respond to questions

6

Respond to questions using info provided

7

Express an opinion

Writing

1–5

Write a sentence based on a picture

8

60 Minutes

6–7

Respond to a written request

8

Write an opinion essay

Total

19

1 hour 20 minutes

  1. TOEIC Bridge Tests

The Bridge test is designed for beginning to intermediate learners. It focuses on everyday English rather than complex business situations. 

TOEIC Bridge Sections

Syllabus or Task Type

Questions

Time

Listening

Four parts (Photos, Q&A, Conversations, Talks)

50

25 Minutes

Reading

Three parts (Sentences, Text Completion, Passages)

50

35 Minutes

TOTAL

100

1 Hour

How to Register for TOEIC in India?

Registration for TOEIC in India is done through official ETS partners and authorised test centres. Candidates can register online or offline, depending on the test center. Early registration ensures preferred test slots and smooth scheduling. To register or totake TOEIC exam, applicants will have to:

  • Contact their local EPN (ETS Preferred Network) office and get in touch with them to register or find the right TOEIC test. 
  • Those who want to take TOEIC test in India will have to get in touch with ETS India Office, located in Haryana, Gurugram.
  • Applicants can go to ETS India Office and apply through them for TOEIC.
  • Take the test and then get your TOEIC score.

TOEIC Scoring Section Wise & Overall

TOEIC uses a scaled scoring system to provide accurate and reliable results. Each section is scored independently, this allows prospective candidates to understand their strengths and areas for improvement.

TOEIC Sections

Sectional Score Range

Overall Score Range

Listening + Reading

5 – 495

10 - 990

Speaking + Writing

0 – 200

5 – 495

What is a Good TOEIC Score?

A good TOEIC Listening and Reading score is generally considered to be above 750–800+ (out of 990), which indicates upper-intermediate to advanced proficiency (B2–C1 on the CEFR scale) suitable for professional, international business environments. A score of 900+ is deemed excellent and demonstrates high-level proficiency. 

Here is a breakdown of what constitutes a "good" score based on goals:

  • 700-750 (Good): Generally considered competent for working in international companies or studying abroad.
  • 800-850 (Very Good): Often required for positions with significant English requirements or high-level international business roles.
  • 900+ (Excellent/Native-like): Shows advanced, professional-level proficiency. 

Who All Accept TOEIC Scores?

TOEIC is accepted by thousands of universities, multinational companies, and government organizations worldwide. It is widely recognised for academic admissions, job recruitment, promotions, and overseas assignments. Majorly TOEIC is accepted by global companies and by universities abroad for admission. Some of the popular universities that accept TOEIC from international students are as follows:

Region

Country

Universities Accepting TOEIC for Admissions

Asia

Japan

Tohoku University

International University of Japan

Chiba University

Fukuyama City University

South Korea

Various universities

Taiwan

Various universities

North America

USA

University of the Incarnate Word

Schiller International University

Europe

France

The American University of Paris

ESSEC Business School

HEC Paris

TOEIC acceptance is heavily concentrated in Asian universities, particularly in Japan. For universities in English-speaking countries (USA, UK, Australia, Canada), TOEFL and IELTS remain the preferred tests, with only a handful accepting TOEIC as an alternative.

Apart from universities, companies, the TOEIC is also accepted by government agencies, immigration departments and corporate training institutes.

How to Prepare for TOEIC Exam?

The TOEIC test preparation needs people to practice consistently while they build their vocabulary skills and learn about different test formats. Some important tips on how to prepare for TOEIC exam as a first timer for international companies or institutions:

  • Those who study regularly develop better abilities to manage their time and complete tasks with greater accuracy while their confidence grows during test situations.
  • Practice official TOEIC sample tests regularly to understand exam structure knowledge and question pattern recognition skills while building section-specific time management abilities.
  • Students who improve their listening abilities by using English podcasts, news casts and workplace discussions gain the ability to understand various accents and different rates of speech and authentic communication situations that appear in the exam.
  • People who read business articles together with professional emails and workplace documents on a daily basis develop their vocabulary skills while their reading comprehension abilities grow and they build their confidence to manage formal writing duties.
  • Daily speaking practice through peer conversations and language exchange platforms or self-recorded responses enables people to enhance their fluency and pronunciation and clear communication abilities.
  • Consistently writing short essays and professional emails enables people to develop their grammatical skills and sentence structure abilities and logical flow capabilities which are necessary for success in the TOEIC writing section.

TOEIC vs TOEFL vs IELTS

TOEIC, TOEFL, and IELTS serve different purposes. TOEIC focuses on professional communication, while TOEFL and IELTS mainly assess academic English proficiency for higher education and immigration.

Feature

TOEIC

TOEFL

IELTS

Purpose

Workplace English + limited academic acceptance

Academic Study

Academic & Immigration

Focus

Business communication

University-level English

Academic + daily usage

Popular Regions

Asia, Europe

USA, Canada, UK

USA, Canada, UK, Australia

Test Style

Practical tasks

Academic tasks

Mixed format

TOEIC exam is a valuable tool for students and professionals aiming to prove their English proficiency in global academic and workplace environments. With its practical test structure and worldwide recognition, TOEIC opens doors to better education, career growth, and international opportunities.

Q:   What GPA do I need to get into Northwest Missouri state?
A:

Northwest Missouri State University expects a cumulative GPA of 2 for UG programs and 3 for PG programs on a scale of 4. GPA is one of the top factors when considering students for university admissions. Along with GPA, the university expects a student to provide high school transcripts from previously attended university or school, standardized test scores, English language proficiency test scores, and more. In addition, students with relevant experience in the chosen field are preferred over the studious students.

Q:   Is Tohoku University better than Tokyo University?
A:

Tohoku University and Tokyo University are some of the most prominent universities in Japan. Both the universities offers a welcoming environment for its international and Indian students. In terms of Shiksha Popularity Rankings, Tokyo University has an upper hand. However, in terms of average graduate salary, Tohoku University stands taller as compared to Tokyo University. Check the comparison listed below between Tohoku and Tokyo University:

Parameters

Tohoku University

Tokyo University

Establishment

1907

1877

Location

Sandai, Miyagi, Japan

Tokyo, Japan

Shiksha Popularity Rankings

#188 in World

#44 in World

University Type

Public

Public

QS Rankings 2026

#109

#36

Acceptance Rate

30%

34%

Placement Rate

90%

84%

Average Salary

INR 65.15 LPA

INR 29.20 LPA

PG Annual Fee

INR 3.16 L

INR 1.66 L

Popular Streams

Engineering | Business & Management | Medicine

Economics | Agriculture | Business Economics

Q:   What is ESSEC Business School - France famous for?
A:

ESSEC Business School - France famous for the following reasons- 

  • Ranked one of the world's top international management schools and the eighth top business school in Europe by the Financial Times. 

  • It is one of the most selective and prestigious business schools in Europe and is referred to as one of the "trois Parisiennes" along with HEC Paris and ESCP Business School. 

  • ESSEC Business School is also known for its world-renowned MiM and its BBA. 

  • The school has strong connection with top companies such as L'Oréal, Danone, and Procter & Gamble, providing students with valuable internship and job opportunities upon graduation. 

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Written by
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i Read Full Bio
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