TOEIC® Program Releases 2012 TOEIC® Listening and Reading Worldwide Data

- TOEIC® tests are used more than any other English assessment to measure the workforce's proficiency

PRINCETON, New Jersey, Aug. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Educational Testing Service (ETS) is for the first time in several years releasing publicly the expanded results of its report on TOEIC® test takers worldwide for the TOEIC ® Listening and Reading (L&R) assessment. 

The TOEIC® Listening and Reading Report on Test Takers Worldwide presents information about TOEIC test-takers' average Listening and Reading scores, educational background, work experience, English language study and use, and the TOEIC test-taking experience. Responses to the questionnaire, on which the report is based, enable users to learn more about the backgrounds of people who took the test and some of the factors that affected their TOEIC scores and related improvement in English proficiency.  ETS is making this data available for reference as organizations look to set score benchmarks and goals, however, the response rates varied across different background questions and care should be taken in making inferences based on this data.

"With English being used by nearly two billion people from different geographic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds around the world, it is vital that score users understand more about the individuals who take the test and have insight into the factors that affect their scores," says David Hunt, ETS Vice President and COO of ETS's Global division.

Hunt further explains that because the TOEIC Background Questionnaire is in-depth and the testing process is standardized, test takers of any background and location can be compared fairly by score users. As the most widely taken and used workforce English language assessment, organizations can build a more diverse and qualified workforce by using TOEIC scores and survey information to make informed decisions around placing, developing and promoting employees from and within any country or region. In addition, the growing acceptance of the TOEIC tests means that test takers can use their test scores for career advancement at a wider range of organizations around the world.

Report highlights include:

• Description of TOEIC L&R test-takers in 2012
• Average TOEIC scores across native countries, industries, etc.
• Relationship among L&R scores
• Test-taker demographics

TOEIC assessments are fair, reliable, and valid measures of a test taker's ability to use English common in the workplace. Used by nearly 14,000 organizations in 150 countries, the TOEIC tests are the international standard for assessing an individual's English-language proficiency level for the workforce, measuring how well a potential employee can apply their English-language skills in a practical working environment. While organizations use TOEIC scores and surveys to build a stronger workforce, job seekers trust the TOEIC Program to differentiate themselves in a competitive job market. TOEIC assessments measure all four language skills and provide descriptions of test takers' strengths and weaknesses that can be used to inform critical hiring, placement, and training decisions.

Download the report at to www.ets.org/toeic/publications. For more information about the TOEIC program, please visit www.ets.org/toeic.

About the TOEIC Tests
For more than 30 years the TOEIC test has been the global standard for measuring workplace English-language communication skills. The TOEIC assessment family, including the TOEIC Listening and Reading test, the TOEIC Speaking and Writing tests and the TOEIC Bridge™ test are used by nearly 14,000 businesses, organizations, and government agencies in 150 countries. In 2012, almost seven million TOEIC tests were administered worldwide, solidifying the TOEIC Program as the largest and most widely used English-language assessment for the workplace. For more information on the TOEIC tests and other services provided by the TOEIC Program visit www.ets.org/toeic.

About ETS
At ETS, we advance quality and equity in education for people worldwide by creating assessments based on rigorous research. ETS serves individuals, educational institutions and government agencies by providing customized solutions for teacher certification, English language learning, and elementary, secondary and post-secondary education, as well as conducting education research, analysis and policy studies. Founded as a nonprofit in 1947, ETS develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually — including the TOEFL® and TOEIC® tests, the GRE ® tests and The Praxis Series™ assessments — in more than 180 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide. www.ets.org