The TOEFL
measures the test-taker's ability to function in an English-speaking academic
environment. The target test-taker for the TOEFL is a candidate for higher
education in an English-speaking country. The TOEIC, on the other hand,
measures the ability to function in a general work environment. This test is
used in nonacademic settings as a measure of the ability of a current or
potential employee to communicate effectively in English in a variety of
business settings and situations.
The TOEFL is
a four-section test that includes sections for reading, listening, speaking and
writing. It is taken exclusively on the computer. The TOEIC is broken into two
separate but complementary exams: the Reading and Listening Test, which is a
paper-and-pencil test, and the Speaking and Writing Test, which is taken on a
computer. The exams are broken up in this way so potential employers can choose
to measure an employee's reading and listening or speaking and writing skills
only, or all four language skills. The Reading and Listening Test will take
about two-and-a-half hours to complete, and for the Speaking and Writing Test,
the speaking section will last about 20 minutes, and the writing section will
take 60 minutes to complete.
Most
students find the TOEIC to be easier than the TOEFL. (I know because I have
taught both TOEIC and TOEFL prep courses!) Business language tends to be
simpler and more straightforward than academic English. In addition, most
schools will only ask you to take the Reading & Listening TOEIC. The exam
is shorter than the TOEFL and tests just two skills instead of 4.The TOEIC is
sometimes actually preferred by business degree programs, especially MBAs. The
TOEIC doubles as a workplace qualification at many jobs. It is sometimes even used
on work-based immigration applications.
In the
TOEFL, the test-taker is measured on his ability to function in an academic
environment. In this regard, the vocabulary on this test is academic in nature
and is similar to the vocabulary used in college text books. The topics of the
reading and listening passages are similarly academic. You may read a passage
on bird migration, for example, or listen to a lecture from an economics
course. The TOEIC, on the other hand, measures the test-taker's ability to function
in a business environment. Topics may range from dining out in a restaurant to
presenting in a budget meeting.
On the TOEFL
iBT, the maximum possible score is 120 -- 30 points for each of the four
sections. There is no "passing score" and colleges and universities
will have their own requirements for admission, which test-takers can find
information about through the admissions office. The TOEIC Reading and
Listening test gives the test-taker a score of 10 to 990, which corresponds to
bands in the Common European Framework measure of English proficiency. A
test-taker will receive scores of zero to 200 for the Speaking and Writing
Tests separately, again which corresponds to the CEF standards of
English-language proficiency measurements.
Examples:
TOEFL :
The swimming instructor came... if the apartment was still
available.
A. to see
B. seeing
C. saw
D. for seeing
The sentence should be read "The swimming instructor
came to see if the apartment was still available."
Therefore, you should choose A.
TOEIC:
Register early if you would like to attend next Tuesday’s -------
on project management.
(A)
seminar
(B) reason
(C) policy
(D) scene
