Test of English for International Communication Syllabus 2026
Test of English for International Communication Syllabus
TOEIC Exam Pattern
The TOEIC exam has four test types. These are the Listening and Reading test, the Speaking and Writing test, the 4-Skills test, and the Bridge test. The 4-Skills test combines all four sections.
The Listening and Reading test checks English skills needed in the workplace. The Speaking and Writing test checks speaking and writing ability for work. The Bridge test is an easier version for beginner to intermediate level.
TOEIC Test Format Overview
The table below gives the format for each TOEIC test type.
| Detail | 4-Skills Test | Listening and Reading | Speaking and Writing | Bridge Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sections | Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing | Listening, Reading | Speaking, Writing | Listening, Reading |
| Duration | 2 hours 22 minutes | 2 hours or 1 hour | 1 hour 20 minutes | 1 hour |
| Number of Questions | 98 questions | 200 questions | 19 questions | 100 questions |
| Mode of Test | Objective type | Objective type | Descriptive and viva-voce | Objective type |
| Format | Computer-based test | Pencil and paper or online | Computer-based test | Paper-and-pencil or online |
| Negative Marking | No | No | No | No |
TOEIC Listening and Reading Test Format
This test is in pen and paper mode. It has two sections: Listening and Reading. Both sections have 100 multiple-choice questions each.
The test takes 2 hours or 1 hour. Each section has a fixed time limit.
- Listening section – 100 questions in 45 minutes (2 hour version), 45 questions in 25 minutes (1 hour version)
- Part 1: Photographs
- Part 2: Questions and answers
- Part 3: Conversations
- Part 4: Short presentations
- Reading section – 100 questions in 75 minutes (2 hour version), 45 questions in around 37 minutes (1 hour version)
- Part 5: Incomplete sentences
- Part 6: Text completions
- Part 7: Reading comprehension
TOEIC Speaking and Writing Test Format
This test has two sections: Speaking and Writing. Candidates can take both sections together or one at a time.
- Speaking Test has 11 questions to be attempted in 20 minutes:
- Questions 1-2: Read a text aloud
- Questions 3-4: Describe a picture
- Questions 5-7: Respond to questions
- Questions 8-10: Respond to questions using information provided
- Question 11: Express an opinion
- Writing Test has 8 questions to be attempted in about 60 minutes:
- Questions 1-5: Write a sentence based on a picture
- Questions 6-7: Respond to a written request
- Question 8: Write an opinion essay
TOEIC Bridge Test Format
The Bridge test is for beginner to intermediate level candidates. It has a Listening section and a Reading section. The test duration is 60 minutes.
The Bridge test has 50 multiple-choice questions in the listening section, grouped into 4 parts. The reading section has 50 questions grouped into 3 parts. The Bridge speaking test has 8 questions grouped into 6 task types. The writing section has 9 questions grouped into 5 task types.
TOEIC Score Range
The TOEIC total score ranges from 10 to 990, in five-point increments. The reading section score ranges from 5 to 495. The listening section score also ranges from 5 to 495.
TOEIC Exam Dates
There are 12 TOEIC exam dates available in a year. Candidates should understand the exam pattern before completing TOEIC registration.
TOEIC Exam Pattern
The TOEIC Listening and Reading test has two sections. The Listening section has 100 questions and takes 45 minutes. The Reading section has 100 questions and takes 75 minutes.
Listening Section
The Listening section is divided into four parts. Each part tests a different listening skill.
- Part 1: Photographs
- Part 2: Question-Response
- Part 3: Conversations
- Part 4: Short Talks
Reading Section
The Reading section is divided into three parts. Each part tests a different reading skill.
- Part 5: Incomplete Sentences
- Part 6: Error Recognition or Text Completion
- Part 7: Reading Comprehension
TOEIC Scoring Guide
ETS follows a detailed scoring process to assign the correct grade to each test taker. Multiple certified ETS raters evaluate the tests to ensure fair scoring. Each test is scored on a different scale.
| Name of the Test | Sectional Scoring Scale | Total Scoring Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Listening and Reading Test | Listening Test: 5 – 450 Reading Test: 5 – 450 |
Total Score: 10 - 900 |
| Speaking and Writing Test | Speaking Test: 0 - 200 Writing Test: 0 – 200 |
Total Score: 0 – 400 |
| TOEIC Bridge Test | Listening Test: 15 – 50 Reading Test: 15 – 50 |
Total Score: 30 – 100 |
A person's language proficiency changes over time. Therefore, a TOEIC score is valid for 2 years from the date of result declaration.
TOEIC Test Content
The syllabus for the three tests – Listening and Reading Test, Speaking and Writing Test, and the Bridge test – is different. ETS, the conducting body, sets the content based on the skills each test evaluates. Each test has two sections.
TOEIC Listening and Reading Test Content
Listening Test: Test takers listen to English recordings of short conversations. They then answer questions based on what they understood from the recording. There are 100 questions on the following topics:
- Photographs
- Question-Response
- Conversations
- Short Talks
Reading Test: Candidates answer questions based on a text. They read the text at their own pace. There are 100 questions on the following topics:
- Incomplete Sentences
- Error Recognition or Text Completion
- Reading Comprehension
TOEIC Speaking and Writing Test Content
Speaking Test: The speaking test examines the speaking skills of the test taker. They must speak as much as possible within the given time and speak clearly with relevant answers. The speaking test lasts about 20 minutes and includes the following tasks:
- Read a text aloud for 45 seconds after a preparation time of 45 seconds.
- Describe a picture displayed on screen for 45 seconds. Preparation time is 30 seconds.
- Respond to 3 questions asked by a panel in 15 seconds for the first two questions and 30 seconds for the third question. No preparation time is given.
- Respond to 3 questions using provided information in 15 seconds for the first two questions and 30 seconds for the third question. The information can be read for 30 seconds only, with no preparation time.
- Propose a solution for a problem presented in 30 seconds. Test takers speak for 60 seconds and explain how they acknowledge the problem and how to deal with it.
- Express an opinion on a specific topic. They speak for 60 seconds after preparing for 15 seconds.
Writing Test: The writing test checks the ability to write correctly and effectively. Test takers must follow the given format and directions within the stipulated time:
- Write a sentence each based on 5 pictures using two words or phrases given in the questions.
- Respond to 2 written request emails in 10 minutes each, including reading time.
- Write an essay of no less than 300 words as a response to an issue. Explain views and solutions to the issue.
TOEIC Bridge Test Content
Listening Section: Candidates listen to recordings of statements, short conversations, short talks, and questions in English. They answer 50 questions of the following kinds:
- Photographs (15 questions)
- Question – Response (20 questions)
- Short Conversation and Short Talks (15 questions)
Reading Section: Exam takers answer questions based on their understanding of single sentences and texts. There are 50 questions on the following topics:
- Incomplete Sentences (30 questions)
- Reading Comprehension (20 questions)
TOEIC Exam Overview
The TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) is a widely recognized English proficiency test designed mainly for the workplace.
There are two main versions: TOEIC Listening and Reading and TOEIC Speaking and Writing. The TOEIC Bridge exam covers the four main English language skills: reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
TOEIC Exam Format
The TOEIC Listening and Reading exam takes approximately two hours and thirty minutes to complete. It has 200 multiple-choice questions; 100 for listening and 100 for reading.
There is no negative marking in the TOEIC exam. Wrong answers are not penalized.
TOEIC Listening Section
The TOEIC Listening section is roughly 45 minutes long. A total of 2 hours and 30 minutes is allocated to complete the reading and listening test.
The listening section includes short conversations, announcements, presentations, and descriptions of workplace situations. It tests the ability to understand everyday English used in work environments.
TOEIC Reading Section
The TOEIC Reading section is 75 minutes long. More time is given for this section than for the listening section.
The reading section assesses the ability to understand information, identify main ideas, and find specific details in work-related texts.
TOEIC Scoring
Each section of TOEIC Listening and Reading is scored from 10 to 100 points. The total scaled TOEIC score ranges from 10 to 990, which is the sum of the Listening and Reading scores.
TOEIC Study Materials
Preparation for the TOEIC test can be done through the official ETS website. Other reputed websites and coaching centers offer various official study materials like practice tests and books.
