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: most people take Listening & Reading.

When a job or university 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).	Most test-takers; most jobs and schools.	10 to 990	About 2 hours (about 45 min listening + 75 min reading)
Speaking & Writing	A separate test of productive skills (speaking and writing tasks), scored by certified ETS raters.	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 each (reported separately)	Shorter than the main test
TOEIC Link	ETS's newer modular test covering up to four skills, taken together or separately (Listening and Reading are adaptive).	Organizations adopting the new format and early adopters.	Scaled, all four skills	Under 90 minutes (all four skills)

Find your test in one tap

What do you need TOEIC for? Pick the closest and we will show you the test to take.

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 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 (Speaking and Writing each 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, modular test. It covers up to four skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing), which can be taken together in one session of under 90 minutes or separately. The Listening and Reading parts are adaptive, 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) 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, free to start. 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 modular four-skills 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

Format and scoring, side by side

The table above is the quick version. If you want the detail, here is how each test is built, how long it runs and exactly how it is scored. These reflect ETS's published test formats.

Test	Skills	Sections & questions	Time	Score scale
Listening & Reading	Listening, Reading	200 multiple-choice: Listening Parts 1 to 4 (100 questions), Reading Parts 5 to 7 (100 questions).	About 2 hours (about 45 min listening, 75 min reading)	10 to 990 total, each section 5 to 495
Speaking & Writing	Speaking, Writing	19 tasks: 11 speaking tasks and 8 writing tasks.	About 80 minutes (speaking about 20 min, writing about 60 min)	0 to 200 for each skill
TOEIC Bridge L&R	Listening, Reading	100 multiple-choice: Listening 50 (4 parts), Reading 50 (3 parts).	About 1 hour	30 to 100 total, each section 15 to 50
TOEIC Bridge S&W	Speaking, Writing	17 tasks at a beginner level: 8 speaking and 9 writing.	About 52 minutes (speaking about 15 min, writing about 37 min)	15 to 50 for each skill, reported separately, plus a combined score if you take both
TOEIC Link	All four skills	Listening and Reading (adaptive), Speaking and Writing, taken together or separately.	Under 90 minutes for all four skills	0 to 25 per skill, mapped to CEFR A1 to C1

TOEIC Link is the only one that can test all four skills in a single session and reports on the CEFR scale. On Listening & Reading and Bridge L&R there is no penalty for a wrong answer, so it is always worth answering every question. Want to know what a number means? See our score converter and TOEIC to CEFR guide.

Which test fits your goal

The test you need is set by what you are applying for, not by preference. Here are the most common reasons people take a TOEIC and the test that fits each. Typical scores are a rough guide only, so always confirm the exact number your target asks for.

Your goal	Test to take	Typical score people aim for
A job that lists "TOEIC 700" or "TOEIC 800"	Listening & Reading	700 to 850+, role depending
University entry, graduation or a scholarship	Listening & Reading	Often 600 to 800, see TOEIC for university
A job in Korea (대기업 or public sector)	Listening & Reading, sometimes plus Speaking	Often 700 to 900, see TOEIC for jobs in Korea
Proving you can speak or write for a client-facing or overseas role	Speaking & Writing	Set by the employer, each skill 0 to 200
You are a beginner or a younger learner	TOEIC Bridge	Build up before moving to the main test
Your company or school named TOEIC Link	TOEIC Link	Reported per skill on the CEFR scale

Not sure what number to target? Our guide on what TOEIC score you need breaks it down by job, country and school.

How to choose your TOEIC test in four steps

If you are still unsure, work through these in order. Most people stop at step one.

Step	What to do
1. Read the exact wording	Look at the job post or application page. If it just says "TOEIC" with a number like 730 or 800, that means Listening & Reading. You are done.
2. Check for "speaking" or "writing"	If it asks you to prove spoken or written English, or names a Speaking or Writing level, add the Speaking & Writing test.
3. Match your level	If your English is still at a beginner stage and no one demanded the main test, TOEIC Bridge is a gentler, more encouraging start.
4. Look for a named format	Only if your company or school specifically says TOEIC Link do you need that one. Otherwise you can ignore it.

Still deciding between two tests? The picker above gives you a one-tap recommendation, or start with a free Listening & Reading mock, the test most people need.

Common mistakes when choosing

A few avoidable slip-ups cost people time and money. Watch for these before you book a real sitting.

Booking Speaking & Writing you were never asked for

S&W is a separate test with its own fee and date. Unless a job or program actually asks for spoken or written English, a Listening & Reading score alone is usually enough. Read the wording first.

Assuming Bridge counts for the main test

TOEIC Bridge has its own 30 to 100 scale and is built for beginners. An employer or school that wants "TOEIC 800" means the 10 to 990 Listening & Reading test, not a Bridge result. Use Bridge to build up, then switch.

Mixing up IP and the public test

The in-house IP test uses the same questions, but some employers and schools accept only the public test with its official certificate. Confirm which one your target takes before you sit an IP session.

Letting your score lapse

TOEIC scores are certified for two years from the test date. If you are applying next year, do not sit the test too early. More on this in our score validity guide.

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 modular four-skills 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 and universities 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 or program you are applying to before booking S&W.

What is TOEIC Link?

TOEIC Link is ETS's newer, modular test that covers up to four skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing), taken together or separately, in under 90 minutes for all four. The Listening and Reading parts are adaptive, so those 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 under 90 minutes for all four skills, 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; Bridge Speaking and Bridge Writing are each scored 15 to 50 and reported separately, with a combined score if you take both; and 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.

How long is a TOEIC score valid?

TOEIC scores are certified by ETS for two years from the test date, and the same applies to Speaking & Writing and Bridge. There is no renewal: to hold a valid score after two years you retake the test. If your application is a while away, sit the test close to when you will actually need the score. See our score validity guide for details.

Can I take more than one TOEIC test?

Yes. The four tests are separate, so you can take any combination. A common path is Listening & Reading first, then adding Speaking & Writing later if a job asks you to prove spoken English. TOEIC Link is modular too: its four skills can be taken together in one session or separately.

Is TOEIC Link the same as the TOEIC 4-skills test?

No. 'TOEIC 4-skills' usually means taking Listening & Reading and Speaking & Writing together. TOEIC Link is a separate four-skills assessment. It covers listening, reading, speaking and writing, taken together or in any combination, and reports each skill on a 0 to 25 scale mapped to CEFR levels A1 to C1. The Listening and Reading parts are adaptive, so the questions adjust to your level as you go.

Which TOEIC test is best for a job in Japan or Korea?

In both countries the default is Listening & Reading, which is what most job listings mean by a "TOEIC" number. Some Korean employers and roles also value a Speaking score, and many Japanese companies run the test in-house as TOEIC IP. Confirm the exact test and score in the listing, then see our guides on TOEIC for jobs in Korea and what TOEIC score you need.

How much does the TOEIC cost?

It varies by country and by test, and prices change, so check your official local test centre for the current fee. As a rough guide, in Japan Speaking & Writing costs more than Listening & Reading (10,450 yen vs 7,810 yen), TOEIC Bridge Listening & Reading costs less (4,950 yen), and an in-house IP sitting is often cheaper than the public test. You can start practising here free either way.

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.