TOEIC Speaking and Writing Test:
Format, Scoring and Strategy

TOEIC Speaking test format

Speaking: how to approach each task

• Read aloud: use the preparation time to find names, numbers and lists. Pause at punctuation, stress content words and use rising intonation for items before the last one in a list.
• Describe a picture: follow one order: the setting, the main people or objects, what is happening, then the background. Present continuous verbs ("is handing", "are waiting") carry most descriptions.
• Respond to questions: answer the question directly in your first sentence, then add one reason or detail.
• Use information provided: scan the document for times, places and prices before the questions begin. If a caller has the wrong information, correct it politely and give the accurate detail.
• Express an opinion: state your position, give two reasons and support one with a short example. A clear structure matters more than advanced vocabulary.

Read-aloud example: marking a text in 45 seconds

This original announcement shows how to mark pauses (/) and stressed words (in capitals) during the preparation time:

Welcome to GREENFIELD Office Supplies. / This week ONLY, / printers, / desks, / and office CHAIRS / are twenty PERCENT off. / Our store is open until NINE p.m. / from MONDAY to SATURDAY. / For DELIVERY information, / please visit our SERVICE desk.

Notice the rising intonation on "printers" and "desks" and the falling intonation on "chairs", which ends the list. Numbers, days and names carry stress because they hold the key information.

TOEIC Writing test format

Writing: how to approach each task

• Picture sentences: write one grammatically correct sentence that uses both words and describes the picture. Simple and accurate beats long and risky; check verb forms and articles before moving on.
• Email responses: list the tasks in the directions, for example "ask two questions and make one suggestion", and tick each one off in your reply. Open and close the email appropriately.
• Opinion essay: spend about 5 minutes planning a position and two developed reasons, about 20 minutes writing and the rest checking grammar and transitions.

Example opinion-essay plan

Original prompt: Some people prefer to work for a large company, while others prefer a small company. Which do you prefer? Give reasons and examples.

1. Position: I prefer a small company because responsibility and feedback come faster.
2. Reason 1: broader responsibility. Example: in a small team, a new employee may handle both customer emails and supplier orders, which builds skills quickly.
3. Reason 2: direct feedback. Example: managers work closely with staff, so problems are corrected the same day rather than at an annual review.
4. Concession: large companies offer structured training and stability, but those benefits matter less early in a career.
5. Conclusion: restate the position and the two reasons in one or two sentences.

Each reason becomes one body paragraph of about 100 words, which brings the essay above the 300 words that ETS's directions describe as typical of an effective essay.

How the Speaking and Writing tests are scored

Each test is scored from 0 to 200, and ETS also reports a proficiency level with a description of typical strengths. The scores are separate from Listening and Reading, so check whether your employer or programme requires one test, the other or both. ETS does not report TOEIC scores that are more than two years old.

See the TOEIC score guide for score ranges and CEFR mapping across the TOEIC tests.

Practise both tests on English AIdol

English AIdol has current-format TOEIC Speaking practice and TOEIC Writing practice, with full practice tests, task drills, model responses and explanations. Practice feedback is an unofficial study aid, not an ETS score.

Official sources

Checked against ETS: About the TOEIC Speaking and Writing test, ETS: TOEIC scores on 3 October 2026. English AIdol is not affiliated with or endorsed by ETS. TOEIC is a registered trademark of ETS. English AIdol practice results are unofficial.