May 2016- The format of the TOEIC Test will change (ENGLISH Explanation)

       Background-  More authentic communication is needed according to Educational Testing Service (ETS).  The degree of difficulty and quality of tests will stay the same and the points are not changing.   

       Other factors regarding the new format that will not change are as the following:

•     The amount of time to solve listening problems (100 questions, 45 minutes) and reading problems (100 question, 75 minutes) 
•   Test takers will need to solve 200 questions in two hours and there will be no breaks during this time.
•   The listening section will have all problems answered after listening to the conversation.
•   The reading section, will have have the test taker read the sample writing and answer.
•   Listening ranges between 5 to 495 points.  Reading ranges between 5 to 495 points.  Total is 10 to 990 points.  Scoring will be counted by 5.  For example, 450, 455, 460, 465, etc.
•   Test is all in English with the format of multiple choice.  
•   No translation will be done by student.          
•   American, British, Canadian, and Australian English is used.  

         Things to prepare for that are different for the new version are as the following:

•       New communication style such as texting, instant messaging, and multiple people chatting (3 or more).

•  In particular, test takers will focus on the use of multiple information sources and choose the right answer. 

Ex-  New version of Part 2, Question-Response-  Some of these problems will have a map or graph and test taker listens to the conversation and answer the questions.

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·        ·         Listening Change Points-  The number of problems have been reduced for Parts 1 & 2, but,  additional problems have been added for Part 3.  Also for Part 3, the conversations are shorter but there is more talking and there are problems using three people talking.  Furthermore, elision, the sound or syllable when speaking, (gonna=going to) and commonly used fragment sentences are used as well.

·         Parts 3 and 4 have listening conversations where a picture/drawing is linked to the conversation.  Test takers are to listen to the conversations and guess the intention.

·         Reading Change Points-  Part 5 will be reduced, but, Part 6 questions will be increased to four questions.  Questions that will confirm if the student is understanding the overall confirmation of a document will be added.  For example, choose the most appropriate sentence type of questions will be added.   Part 7 will have test taker choose the most appropriate place to add the sentence.  These kind of problems will be added.  There will be targets where texting, Instant Messaging, Online chatting with multiple people.  For example, the following questions will be added-  Read 3 related paragraphs and answer.  More questions will be added for reading.  Lastly, questions that will ask what is the intention of the writer will be added.

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