Which TOEIC?

Which TOEIC test do I need?

There are four TOEIC tests, but most people only need one. Here is exactly what each one is, who it is for, and how to choose, in plain English.

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Short answer: about 9 in 10 people take Listening & Reading.

When a job, university or visa says "TOEIC 800", they almost always mean the Listening & Reading test. It is the classic 10 to 990 exam, and it is what employers and schools default to. Unless someone specifically told you to take a different one, that is the test to sit. The rest of this page is for the minority who were told to take Speaking & Writing, are beginners, or have a school or company using the newer format.

The four TOEIC tests at a glance

All four are made by ETS, but they measure different things and report different scores. Here is how they compare side by side.

Test	What it is	Who takes it	Score	Length
Listening & Reading	The classic TOEIC. 200 multiple-choice questions (listening then reading).	About 90% of test-takers; most jobs, schools and visas.	10 to 990	About 2 hours (45 min listening + 75 min reading)
Speaking & Writing	A separate test of productive skills (speaking and writing tasks), often AI or examiner scored.	People who must prove they can speak and write English (some jobs, some graduate programs).	0 to 200 each	About 80 minutes
TOEIC Bridge	An easier version for beginners, covering all four skills in a shorter, simpler format.	Lower-level learners (roughly A1 to B1) not yet ready for the main test.	L&R 30 to 100, S&W 15 to 50	Shorter than the main test
TOEIC Link	ETS's newer all-in-one adaptive test covering all four skills in one sitting.	Organizations adopting the new format and early adopters.	Scaled, all four skills	About 90 minutes

How to decide in one line

Match your situation to the row that fits. Each one links to a free practice page for that test.

"I just need a TOEIC score for a job, school or visa"Take Listening & Reading, the classic 10 to 990 test "I was told to take Speaking & Writing, or I need to prove I can speak"Take Speaking & Writing "I am a beginner, or it is for younger or lower-level learners"Take TOEIC Bridge "My company or school specifically uses TOEIC Link"Take TOEIC Link

Each test in detail

Listening & Reading

Listening & Reading (often written L&R) is the test people mean when they just say "TOEIC". It has 200 multiple-choice questions split into seven parts: Parts 1 to 4 are listening (photos, question-response, conversations and talks) and Parts 5 to 7 are reading (grammar, vocabulary and passages). You listen first, then read.

It is scored from 10 to 990 and takes about two hours (roughly 45 minutes of listening and 75 minutes of reading). This is the workplace and admissions default worldwide, so if nobody told you which TOEIC to take, this is the right choice. Try a free full mock to see your estimated band.

Speaking & Writing

Speaking & Writing (S&W) is a separate test of the skills L&R cannot measure: actually producing English. It has 11 speaking tasks (reading aloud, describing a picture, responding to questions and giving an opinion) and 8 writing tasks (writing sentences, responding to a request and writing an opinion essay).

Each half is scored from 0 to 200, and the whole test takes about 80 minutes. Choose it when a job or program specifically asks for it, or when you need to prove you can hold a conversation and write clearly, not just understand English.

TOEIC Bridge

TOEIC Bridge is the beginner-friendly version, aimed at lower-level learners at roughly A1 to B1. It covers all four skills but with shorter, simpler material, so it is far less discouraging than jumping straight into the 10 to 990 test.

Like the main TOEIC, it comes in two forms: a Listening & Reading version (scored 30 to 100) and a Speaking & Writing version (scored 15 to 50). It is the right choice for younger learners or anyone still building up toward the main test.

TOEIC Link

TOEIC Link is ETS's newer, all-in-one test. Instead of separate sittings, it covers all four skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing) in a single adaptive session of about 90 minutes, with questions that adjust to your level as you go.

Because it is still being rolled out, most people will not need it yet. Take it if your company or school has specifically adopted TOEIC Link, or if you simply want to try the format early.

TOEIC IP vs the public test

This is not a fifth test, but it trips people up constantly. The same Listening & Reading (or Speaking & Writing) content can be taken two different ways, and the difference is about who runs the sitting, not what is on the paper.

Public test register yourself

You sign up and pay for it yourself on an official test date, and you receive ETS's official score certificate. This is the version most external requirements (jobs, universities, visas) expect by default.

IP test run in-house

The IP (Institutional Program) test is administered by your own company or school using the same questions. It is convenient and often cheaper, but not every organization accepts it in place of the public test.

Scores from the two are comparable, but always check whether the place you are applying to accepts IP scores or only the public test. Some accept both; some accept only the public test. This matters especially in Japan, where many companies and universities run TOEIC IP internally.

Try the one you need, free

Once you know which TOEIC you need, practise it here at no cost. Not sure of your level? Start with a full Listening & Reading mock.

Listening & ReadingThe classic 10 to 990 test, full mocks Speaking & WritingSpeaking and writing tasks, AI-scored TOEIC BridgeBeginner-friendly, all four skills TOEIC LinkThe new four-skills adaptive format Free full mockA complete timed test with AI feedback Score converterTurn your score into a CEFR band

Take a free Listening & Reading mock, the one most people need

Questions, answered

Which TOEIC test, answered

How many TOEIC tests are there?

There are four TOEIC tests: Listening & Reading, Speaking & Writing, TOEIC Bridge and TOEIC Link. Most people only ever take one of them, usually Listening & Reading. The others exist for specific needs: proving you can speak and write, testing beginners, or the newer all-in-one format.

Which TOEIC test do most people take?

Listening & Reading, by a wide margin. It is the classic 10 to 990 test that most jobs, universities and visa processes mean when they say "TOEIC". Unless you were told otherwise, this is almost certainly the one you need.

Which TOEIC do employers want?

Almost always Listening & Reading. When a company lists "TOEIC 700" or "TOEIC 800", they mean the L&R score. Some employers, especially for customer-facing or overseas roles, additionally ask for Speaking & Writing to confirm you can produce English, not just understand it.

What is the difference between TOEIC and TOEIC Speaking & Writing?

Plain "TOEIC" normally means the Listening & Reading test, which measures how well you understand English through multiple-choice questions. Speaking & Writing is a separate test that measures whether you can produce English by speaking answers and writing responses. They are scored differently (10 to 990 for L&R, 0 to 200 each for S&W) and are taken as separate sittings.

Is TOEIC Bridge easier than TOEIC?

Yes. TOEIC Bridge is a shorter, simpler test built for beginners and lower-level learners (roughly A1 to B1). It covers the same four skills but with easier material and a different score scale, so it is a better fit before someone is ready for the main 10 to 990 test.

Do I need to take Speaking & Writing?

Only if you were specifically told to, or if you need to prove you can speak and write English. Many jobs and schools are satisfied with a Listening & Reading score alone. Check the exact requirement of the job, program or visa you are applying to before booking S&W.

What is TOEIC Link?

TOEIC Link is ETS's newer, all-in-one adaptive test that covers all four skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing) in a single sitting of about 90 minutes. Because it is adaptive, the questions adjust to your level. It is still being rolled out, so most test-takers will not need it unless their company or school has adopted it.

How long is the TOEIC test?

The Listening & Reading test takes about two hours (about 45 minutes of listening and 75 minutes of reading), plus time for admin. Speaking & Writing takes about 80 minutes, TOEIC Link about 90 minutes, and TOEIC Bridge is shorter than the main test.

What is the difference between TOEIC IP and the public test?

They use the same test content but are administered differently. The public test is one you register and pay for yourself, and it comes with an official score certificate. The IP (Institutional Program) test is run in-house by your company or school. Scores are comparable, but some organizations only accept the public test, so always check which one is required.

What score is the TOEIC out of?

It depends on the test. Listening & Reading is scored from 10 to 990. Speaking & Writing is scored 0 to 200 for each of the two parts. TOEIC Bridge L&R runs 30 to 100 and Bridge S&W 15 to 50, while TOEIC Link reports a scaled score across all four skills.

Can I take just Listening or just Reading?

On the official test they are one combined Listening & Reading paper, so you receive both section scores together, not one alone. For practice, though, you can drill Listening or Reading on its own to target a weak area before sitting the full test.

Which TOEIC should a student take?

Most students need Listening & Reading, since that is what schools, scholarships and graduation requirements usually ask for. Younger or beginner students may start with TOEIC Bridge, and students who must show spoken English (for exchange or certain programs) may also take Speaking & Writing.

Formats and score ranges reflect ETS's published TOEIC test descriptions. TOEIC®, TOEIC Bridge® and TOEIC Link® are trademarks of ETS. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by ETS. Requirements vary by employer, school and country, so always confirm which test and score your target accepts.