The TOEIC listening comprehension test is the first half of the TOEIC Listening & Reading Test. The TOEIC listening segment is 45 minutes long and is composed of 100 multiple choice questions. The listening segment has a low score of 5 points and a high score of 495 points. TOEIC listening scores can be mapped to the CEFR levels from A1 to C1, but not to level C2. The TOEIC listening section cannot be taken without also taking the TOEIC reading section during the same test session. The TOEIC Speaking and Writing test is separate and can be taken during the same test session or during a different test session.
The TOEIC listening test is made up of 4 parts. Most students find the first part easier than the last part:
Part 1 of the TOEIC listening test asks students to match 6 recorded descriptions of images to the 6 images they describe. This segment lasts about 10 minutes. The images are printed in your test booklet but the descriptions are not. They are only recorded.
Part 2 of the TOEIC listening test asks students to listen to very short questions or statements and choose an appropriate answer or response for each one. There are 25 recordings and 25 questions in this part. The questions and possible answers are not printed in your test booklet. They are only recorded.
Part 3 of the TOEIC listening test asks students to listen to 13 dialogs and answer 3 questions about each one for a total of 39 questions. Both the dialogs and the questions about the dialogs are recorded. The questions are also printed in your test booklet, along with the 4 possible answers. You will have about 8 seconds to choose your answer before the next dialog question is asked.
Part 4 of the TOEIC listening test asks students to listen to 10 short monologs (single speaker) and answer 3 questions about each one. This is again a total of 30 questions. As in part 3, the questions are both recorded and printed in your test booklet. The monologs are only recorded. The 4 possible answers to each question are only printed in your test booklet.
In all parts of the TOEIC listening test, the recordings are played only once. Once started, the recording will be played straight through, without pauses or repeats. Because of this imposed rhythm, it’s important to listen carefully to each recording, pick the best answer you can, then move on. Do not get stuck thinking about a previous question and miss the next recording.
You will not be allowed to take any notes during the listening test. Blank answers on the TOEIC listening test are counted as incorrect answers, so it is always better to guess when you are not sure of the answer. Recordings on the TOEIC listening test can be with American, British, Canadian, or Australian accents.