TOEIC or Test of English for International Communication is an English exam designed to test a user’s ability in the workplace.

The test consists of a 2 hour multiple choice test of 200 questions on listening‏‎ and reading‏‎ comprehension. There is also a TOEIC writing‏‎ and speaking‏‎ test as well.

It was developed in Japan and first produced in 1979 following a deal between the US based ETS (Educational Testing Service) and a number of Japanese businessmen along with their contacts in several Japanese government ministries.

TOEIC and Scandals

TOEIC has been embroiled in a number of scandals over the years.

• In 2009 several members of the board of TOEIC were forced out to ensure the appointment of the the son of the girlfriend of the 92 year-old chairman of the TOEIC operating body in Japan to the post of Chairman.
• Several investigations into the fees and non-profit status of the exam have been held and there have been accusations of tax fraud as well.
• TOEIC was also used by the UK Border Agency to assess whether a person’s English is good enough to enter the country, however in early 2014 a major scam involving fake testers was exposed leading to the exam being suspended in the UK.

Useful Links

TOEIC – official website

TOEIC Suspended in the UK after Scam – read about the scandal