Guide to success
Use this guide to figure out which test best fits your needs.
| EIKEN | TOEIC | TOEFL | IELTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Japan | Mostly Asia | International (Emphasis: North America) | International (Emphasis: Europe/British Commonwealth) |
| Types | 7 Levels (Grades 1-5) | TOEIC Listening & Reading Test TOEIC Speaking and Writing Test |
TOEFL iBT (Internet) TOEFL iTP (Institutional) |
General Training Module; Academic Module |
| Length | Up to 2.5 hours (Stage 1 Written) Up to 8 minutes (Stage 2 Oral) |
2 hours (TOEIC L&R) 1.5 hours (TOEIC S&W) |
3 hours (TOEFL iBT) 2 hours (TOEFL iTP) |
2.5 hours (Written) 20 minutes (Oral) |
| Purpose | General English |
The global workplace |
Academic communication skills |
General English; Academic English |
| Focus |
First Stage: Written (Listening, Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading, *Writing) Second Stage: Speaking |
TOEIC: reading and listening TOEIC Speaking: speaking TOEIC Writing: writing |
Part 1: Written (Listening, Reading, Writing) Part 2: Speaking (Computer recording) |
Part 1: Written (Listening, Reading, Writing) Part 2: Speaking (In-person) |
| Scoring Method | Pass/Fail | Out of 990 (TOEIC L&R) Out of 200 (TOEIC S&W) |
Out of 120 (TOEFL iBT) Out of 677 (TOEFL iTP) |
Out of 9.0 |
| Cost | Up to 9,500 yen | 6,490 yen (TOEIC L&R) 10,450 yen (TOEIC S&W) |
235 USD (TOEFL iBT) |
25,380 yen |
| Recommended Courses | Speaking Test Strategies | Speaking Test Strategies, Business Vocabulary (Intermediate/Advanced), Business Results (Intermediate to Advanced) | Speaking Test Strategies, IELTS pp. 7-76, 119-132, 134-153 |
Speaking Test Strategies, IELTS |
How can I achieve my target test score?
For most exams, you should have at least an intermediate level of English in order to take them. A good score (e.g.: TOEIC 800+, TOEFL 100+, IELTS 6.5+) would require an upper intermediate to advanced level of English. In other words, a strong foundation of English. This means that you need to be able to:
- understand different English accents
- read and answer comprehension questions
- write out a logical answer with good grammar and vocabulary
- speak fluently without many grammatical/pronunciation errors
- and know how to take the test
However, you also must have knowledge of the exam itself to achieve your target test score.
If you have hit the intermediate level, then start thinking about taking these exams. Then you can have proof of your English proficiency!
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Note: we have not included information about the G.B.C. If you would like information, see our guide to all you all you should know about the G.B.C. test.
Note: as of November 2020 - information is subject to change. Please check individual testing sites for the most up-to-date information.