If you’re looking for new job opportunities or aiming to excel in your current role that involves English proficiency, having a strong command of the language is essential. The TOEIC test is widely recognized as a standard for showcasing English proficiency. While a score of 600 points is often seen as a good benchmark to include in your resume, achieving a score of 700 points or higher can significantly enhance your professional prospects. In this article, we’ll delve into what it means to have a TOEIC score of 700 and provide tips on surpassing this milestone.
How Does a TOEIC Score of 700 Reflect Your English Ability?
Understanding the true implications of a TOEIC score of 700 can be challenging for many. To help you grasp the level of proficiency required, let’s compare it to other English qualifications and assess the difficulty of achieving this score.
Comparing TOEIC 700 to Other English Qualifications
Eiken is one of the major exams that assesses English proficiency. When it comes to TOEIC, the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) level is used to measure proficiency. TOEIC 700 corresponds to a level between B1 and B2 in the CEFR. More specifically, a CEFR B1 level requires a listening and reading score of 275 or higher, while a B2 level requires a listening score of 400 or higher and a reading score of 385 or higher. The B1 and B2 levels signify intermediate English proficiency in both the CEFR and Eiken evaluations, making TOEIC 700 a desirable achievement for career advancement.
Understanding the Difficulty of TOEIC 700
To obtain a TOEIC score of 700, you need to secure at least 350 points in the reading section, which is half of the total reading score. This implies that you should have a solid foundation in English grammar and reading comprehension, allowing you to comprehend sentences with complex structures like infinitives, comparatives, participatory syntax, and subjunctive mood.
While having a strong grasp of the basics is crucial, it’s important to note that your understanding of specific topics may still be limited. Some areas might prove difficult to comprehend, even with the assistance of a dictionary. However, if you can familiarize yourself with the technical terms related to your work, you’ll be able to navigate work-related content with ease.
What Does a TOEIC Score of 700 Mean for Your Career?
Achieving a TOEIC score of 700 can yield significant benefits, opening up new opportunities and enhancing your professional profile. Let’s explore some of the advantages that come with this accomplishment.
Enhancing Your Job Search or Career Transition
As the process of internationalization continues to impact not just large corporations but also small and medium-sized enterprises, the demand for English proficiency is on the rise. While a TOEIC score of 600 can be listed on your resume, a score of 700 or higher will make a stronger impression, emphasizing your English skills as a valuable asset when job hunting or seeking career advancement.
Opening Doors to Salary Increases
Certain companies may set a TOEIC score as a requirement for salary raises. By starting your English studies early and obtaining a TOEIC score of 700 or higher, you increase your chances of meeting the criteria for a higher salary in the future.
Expanding Your Range of Work
As interactions with foreigners increase, having English proficiency allows you to explore a wider range of job opportunities. TOEIC questions often revolve around the business scene, meaning that a score above the average will open doors in fields such as trade affairs, English teaching, and overseas sales, among others.
Learning Strategies to Achieve a TOEIC Score of 700
To obtain a TOEIC score of 700, it’s crucial to adopt effective learning strategies. Here, we’ll delve into the key elements of learning English for the TOEIC test.
Time Required to Achieve a TOEIC Score of 700
Wondering how long it takes to improve your TOEIC score? According to the approximate learning time indicated in a study (*), individuals with a current TOEIC score of 550 need approximately 225 hours of study to reach a score of 750. Keep in mind that study methods and reference materials can influence the efficiency of your learning process. Study time should serve as a guideline, so adapt it to suit your personal study habits and preferences.
(*) Reference: A Teacher’s Guide to TOEIC Listening and Reading Test Preparing your Students for Success｜Oxford University Press
Mastering Basic Grammar Skills
Ensure that you have a solid understanding of the grammar fundamentals taught in middle and high school. Parts 5 and 6 of the TOEIC reading section feature numerous grammar-related questions, making it essential to have a strong foundation. By focusing on specific grammar patterns frequently tested in the TOEIC, you can efficiently enhance your grammar skills and improve your overall score.
Expanding Vocabulary Beyond High School Level
Improving your vocabulary is crucial for excelling in the reading section. Aside from revisiting the vocabulary learned in high school, familiarize yourself with words frequently featured in the TOEIC. For instance, since the test often incorporates business-related content, learning workplace-specific vocabulary will enhance your performance. Dedicated TOEIC vocabulary books can prove invaluable in this regard.
Developing Efficient Reading Comprehension Skills
Efficient reading comprehension is vital for achieving a high score. While improving your grammar and vocabulary will help you understand sentence content, you also need to increase your reading speed due to time constraints. Reading aloud can significantly boost your reading speed. Take the time to read each sentence carefully, addressing any uncertainties regarding words or grammatical structures before proceeding. Gradually, you’ll become more adept at understanding English sentence structures and improve your overall reading speed.
Enhancing Listening Skills Through Dictation
Dictation exercises can effectively enhance your listening skills. Dictation involves listening to English audio and transcribing it without referring to the text. You’ll notice that even when confronted with difficult-to-understand English sentences, you can easily comprehend them by relying on your knowledge of words and grammar. Dictation also highlights areas where you struggle, such as unfamiliar vocabulary or pronunciation issues, allowing you to address and rectify these weaknesses.
Practicing Under Test-Like Conditions
Utilize official TOEIC question materials that closely mirror the actual test, solving questions within the designated time frame of 45 minutes for the listening section and 75 minutes for the reading section, without taking breaks. Just as in the real test, consider time allocation, maintain focus, and solve questions while simulating the actual test environment. Afterward, review your mistakes to identify areas for improvement.
Aiming for a TOEIC Score of 700: Target Number of Correct Answers per Section
To achieve a TOEIC score of 700, it’s crucial to set target numbers for correct answers in each section. Let’s explore the recommended benchmarks for each part of the test.
Listening Section
- Part 1: Aim for all correct answers.
- Part 2: Aim for 20 out of 25 correct answers.
- Part 3: Aim for 20 out of 39 correct answers.
- Part 4: Aim for 24 out of 30 correct answers.
Reading Section
- Part 5: Aim for 21 out of 30 correct answers.
- Part 6: Aim for 12 out of 16 correct answers.
- Part 7: Aim for 30 out of 54 correct answers.
Recommended Resources for Achieving a TOEIC Score of 700
To support your TOEIC preparation and maximize your learning efficiency, we recommend the following reference books and practice materials:
- “TOEIC® Test English Grammar Platinum Lecture”: This grammar book focuses on solidifying the grammar fundamentals necessary to achieve a TOEIC score of 700. It provides in-depth analysis of over 1200 test questions, offering essential insights for efficient preparation.
- “Kikutan TOEIC TEST SCORE 600”: Designed for learning frequently used TOEIC English vocabulary, this book includes audio recordings of words pronounced by native speakers from the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia. By utilizing the accompanying Japanese translations, you can easily grasp word meanings while making the most of your commute time.
- “The Official TOEIC Listening & Reading question book 8”: This comprehensive book features authentic TOEIC questions created by ETS, the organization responsible for TOEIC test development. The included CD contains listening audio, providing an opportunity for shadowing practice and enhancing your listening skills.
- “TOEIC® L & R Test Selected Mock Test Reading 3” and “TOEIC® L & R Test Selected Mock Test Listening 3”: These advanced practice books, supervised by TOEIC experts, offer in-depth explanations and strategies based on the latest test trends. Although more challenging than the actual TOEIC test, these resources provide valuable insights for individuals aiming for a higher score.
Conclusion
Achieving a TOEIC score of 700 showcases your above-average English proficiency, giving you a competitive edge in the job market. While obtaining this score requires dedicated study time, efficient learning methods can help you reach your goal. By solidifying your understanding of grammar and vocabulary through TOEIC preparation, coupled with regular output practice, you’ll establish a strong foundation and develop practical communication skills.
Ready to put your English skills to the test? Visit testtoeic.com for free TOEIC and English grammar tests today!
Translated and adapted from the original article in Vietnamese by preptoeic.click.