TOEIC^® Program

Institutional Speaking & Writing Test Administration

Policies & Procedures

 Background Information

Organizations in Thailand and other parts of the world have long acknowledged the importance of English language communication. These same organizations also recognize that the level of English language required for each position or job function varies on job needs. Having recognized that positions require varying levels of English language ability, organizations must then quantify and qualify those requirements in order to establish fair and consistent standards, and to determine a valid and reliable method of measuring each individual's performance level against those standards.

 The original Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC^®) Listening & Reading program was first used in Japan in 1979. Currently more than 5 million TOEIC^® tests are administered annually to both public and private sector organizations all over the world to assess English language proficiency levels in the area of listening and reading skills

 Beginning in 2006 the Educational Testing Service added the TOEIC^® Speaking & Writing test to expand the measurement capabilities of the TOEIC^® program. TOEIC^® Speaking & Writing was first administered in Japan and Korea in 2006, and has been being added to TOEIC^® testing programs worldwide ever since. The program was first administered in Thailand in 2009.

As the sole authorized representative for the TOEIC test in Thailand, the Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand) is responsible for providing all language test related services to TOEIC clients.

Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC^®)

Speaking & Writing Institutional TOEIC® Program

What and Why?

The TOEIC^® Speaking & Writing test is a proficiency test that reliably measures the productive skills of speaking and writing across a wide range from beginner to advanced levels. The new TOEIC^® Speaking and Writing tests, are delivered through the Internet, and are valid assessments of a person's ability to speak and write in English in the workplace.

The tests have been added to the TOEIC product line to complement the TOEIC^® Listening and Reading test. Together, they provide a reliable measurement of all four English-language communication skills.

As with the TOEIC^® Listening & Reading test the TOEIC^® Speaking & Writing tests must be taken during the same single test administration. The TOEIC^® Speaking & Writing cannot be separated into its individual component parts.

English is the language of global opportunity and the Internet's universal language.

·     Employers need a workforce that can speak and write effectively across borders and cultures.

·     Clear expression of ideas and information eliminates miscommunication and misunderstanding, which cost time and money.

·     Effective communication strengthens your global position and keeps your stakeholders connected.

·     As English is the Internet's universal language, English writing skills are required for e-mail and other types of business correspondence.

·     Speaking skills are required for effective presentations, face-to-face communication, meetings, videoconferencing, teleconferencing and telephone conversations. 

The Speaking & Writing tests will assist organizations to:

·       recruit, keep and develop the most qualified candidates

·       save time and resources by knowing immediately who has the skills to succeed

·       hire people who can interact with colleagues and clients throughout the world

·       receive outstanding support and state-of-the-art test design from ETS.

Contents/context

The TOEIC Speaking and Writing tests are set in contexts appropriate for the international workplace. They include tasks that people might perform in work-related situations or in familiar daily activities that are common across cultures. The tests assess English language speaking and writing proficiency and do not require candidates to have specialized knowledge of business.

Rating procedures

For the Speaking test, the responses are digitally recorded and sent to ETS’s Online Scoring Network. The responses from each test taker are scored by certified ETS raters. The Speaking test includes 6 different task types. The first four task types (Questions 1-9) are rated on a scale of 0 to 3 and the last two task types (Questions 10-11) are rated on a scale of 0 to 5.  The sum of all ratings is converted to a scaled score of 0 to 200.

The evaluation criteria for each task type are presented in the table below.

Question	Task	Evaluation Criteria	Scoring Scale
1-2	Read a text aloud	·        pronunciation ·        intonation and stress	0-3
3	Describe a picture	all of the above, plus ·        grammar ·        vocabulary ·        cohesion	0-3
4-6	Respond to questions	all of the above, plus ·        relevance of content ·        completeness of content	0-3
7-9	Respond to questions using information provided	all of the above	0-3
10	Propose a solution	all of the above	0-5
11	Express an opinion	all of the above	0-5

 

For the Writing test, the responses are sent to ETS’s Online Scoring Network. The responses from each test taker are scored by certified ETS raters. The Writing test includes 3 different task types. The first task type (Questions 1-5) is rated on a scale of 0 to 3, the second task type (Questions 6-7) is rated on a scale of 0-4, and the last task type (Question 8) is rated on a scale of 0-5. The sum of all ratings is converted to a scaled score of 0 to 200. The evaluation criteria for each task type are presented in the table below.

 

Question	Task	Evaluation Criteria	Scoring Scale
1-5	Write a sentence based on a picture	grammar relevance of the sentences to the pictures	0-3
6-7	Respond to a written request	quality and variety of your sentences vocabulary organization	0-4
8	Write an opinion essay	whether your opinion is supported with reasons and/or examples grammar vocabulary organization	0-5

Where?

The Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand) maintains in-house testing facility for the TOEIC^® Speaking & Writing tests in the Bangkok office.

The Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand) administers tests on a daily basis for one person to as many as ten (10) test takers at a time. All proctors are provided by the Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand).

When?

TOEIC^® Speaking & Writing tests are offered twice daily on a regular basis. Additional test sessions or alternate test times can be arranged at the client's request, but additional charges may apply and will be determined based on the client scheduling requests. 

The on-going test schedule is as follows:

Monday-Saturday: 09:00 and 13:00

*      Organizations and individuals wishing to take the TOEIC^® Speaking & Writing tests should contact the test center at least two (2) calendar weeks in advance to reserve seating.

*      Special TOEIC^® Speaking & Writing Test Administrations can be offered on Sundays, or holidays, and after regular office hours, through prior arrangement. A minimum charge of ten (10) examinees is required for Special Test Administrations.

How? 

Individual In-house Examinees

Individual examinees testing under the auspices of an organization, must make a test reservation at least two calendar weeks in advance of the test date to guarantee a seat. Reservations for examinees living in Thailand are currently accepted by telephone during regular operating hours Monday through Saturday, from 8:00AM until 4:30PM.

When making the reservation an examinee should be prepared to provide their name, national ID number (passport number for non-residents), date of birth, contact telephone number, test date and test time being requested. Examinees who are not Thai nationals may also be requested to provide proof of residence in Thailand (such as work permits, school ID cards). 

As test reservations are taken on an on-going basis, CPA cannot guarantee a test taker’s first choice of test date and time. Therefore the earlier an examinee makes their reservation the better the opportunity of getting the date and time desired.

Examinees may change or cancel their reservations without charge up to one calendar week prior to the test date. Any examinee who cancels or changes their test date less than one calendar week prior to the test date will be charged an additional Baht 1,000.00 processing fee.

Any examinee who fails to appear for a test without canceling within that time limit will be charged the full test fee.

Individual Examinee Re-testing Policies

Individual examinees who live and work or attend a registered educational institute in Thailand, testing on their own under the auspices of an organization, may only make a reservation for a single test administration (date and time) at a time. Examinees who have already tested cannot make a new test reservation until their most recent Score Report has been received.

Individual examinees who do not live, or work or attend a registered educational institute in Thailand, and who are not Thai nationals, may only make a test reservation once every thirty (30) days.

Organization Examinees for In-House Tests

Examinees testing for a specific organization should check with the person responsible within their organization to confirm specific procedures.

Test Results - Individual Examinees

In the immediate Bangkok area test results can be picked up at the Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand) two (2) calendar weeks after the test between the hours of 10:00AM and 4:30PM Mondays through Saturdays. 

Score Reports for each examinee are sealed in individual envelopes. In order to pick up the scores, examinees must submit their original TOEIC test registration form along with their National Identification card.  If an examinee designates a third party to pick the score up on their behalf, in addition to the test takers original TOEIC registration form and national Identification card, the designated person must also bring their own original National photo identification card.  The Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand) will not release scores without complete documentation.

Test takers may request to have their TOEIC Score reports sent by EMS postal service by notifying TOEIC staff when they leave the test room.  All scores are sent only by EMS postal service at a cost of Baht 100.00 per envelope. Each TOEIC Score Report must be sealed in a separate envelope. Requests for multiple score reports will be treated as multiple requests.

Score Reports are maintained at TOEIC Thailand for a period of 90 days after the original test date. After the 90-day period all scores reports are treated as Re-Print Requests.

TOEIC Score Result Formats

The base fee of each TOEIC test includes one (1) copy of the Office TOEIC Score Report - provided in individual sealed envelopes – that includes Speaking and Writing Score Assessments designed to provide a more detailed explanation of the numerical score.

Score Report Reprints

Individuals requiring official copies of any of the Score Reports must first obtain written permission from the organization under whose auspices they tested before completing a request form at the Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand).  The processing fee is Baht 250.00 per TOEIC^® Speaking & Writing Score Report. Official TOEIC^® Speaking & Writing Score Reprints may be picked up two (2) working days after the request. Score Reprint requests are not accepted over the telephone, by fax, or through e-mail. If an examinee designates a third party to pick the score up on their behalf, in addition to the test taker’s original TOEIC Reprint Request Form and national Identification card, the designated person must also bring their own original National photo identification card.

Organizations

Organization Examinees for In-House Tests

Organizations that wish to send examinees for testing at the Bangkok or Chiangmai offices may do so by submitting a test request form directly to the test centers. Test dates and times can either be specified by the requesting organization or by the individual examinees.

Corporate Test Results

All test results for organization-sponsored tests will be sent directly to the test coordinator designated by the organization. The Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand) does not release individual scores to individual examinees from organizations.  

For test administrations of ten (10) or fewer examinees, results will sent via the postal EMS service.

Test results for more than ten (10) corporate examinees in the immediate Bangkok area will be sent via messenger

TOEIC Score Result Formats for Organizations

Test results for organizations are returned in a variety of different formats. These results are included in the test fee.

Individual Score Reports: Organizations may request that all TOEIC^® Speaking & Writing test Score Reports be sent directly to the organization, or allow the individual test takers to pick them up on their own.

Score Rosters: Standard Score Rosters are prepared for the organization and are organized by first name, as well as by TOEIC^® Speaking & Writing tests Score Range.

Summary Report: For large test administrations, the Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand) provides a summary report one working week after the test results have been received. Up to four (4) different Test Administration Report Lists can be prepared according to a variety of fields such as identification number, examinee name, position, department, or other data collected at the time of the test administration.  This report can be customized for each corporate client provided that the corporate specific information required for the final report is determined before the time of the actual test administration. Additional report lists can be added to this summary report at a minimum charge of Baht 500.00 per list.

Organizations will receive the information in an electronic format. Score report information will be provided in either a spreadsheet format, or a PDF format depending on the report. 

Organizations requiring additional copies of any of these reports may purchase them from the Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand) at the following rates...

·     Examinee Score Report Reprints - Baht  250.00 per Examinee

·     Test Administration Report Lists - Baht  50.00 per List Report page

·     Additional (more than 4) Report Lists - Baht  50.00 per List Report page

·     Minimum charge of Baht 500.00 applies - All fees include VAT

Supplemental Reports for Organizations

Training Group Recommendations: The Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand) can also provide Training Group Recommendations for group administrations. These recommendations assign examinees into sub-groups for training purposes and provide general information on the type of training and length of training needed to develop the examinees language to the next appropriate TOEIC level.

Training Group recommendations are available on request. There is a per group charge of Baht 500.00 per training group and a minimum charge of Baht 1,000.00.

Score Comparisons: The Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand) will compile Score Comparisons of two or more test results for examinees in an organization. The score comparison can, for example, be used to determine progress in a training program, or determine change over time when an examinee is tested on an annual basis.

There is a minimum per Score Comparison Report charge of Baht 1,500.00. This will include comparisons of up to 50 examinees. There will be an additional charge of Baht 1,000.00 for every additional 50 or fewer examinees.

Information Materials

Additional information on the TOEIC^® Speaking & Writing tests test can be obtained from the Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand) offices in both Bangkok and Chiangmai. Materials such as brochures and handouts are available from the Centers.

The Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand) also provides the TOEIC^® Speaking & Writing test Examinee Handbook to all examinees. The handbook is designed to provide examinees with information on the test format, including question formats, and provides some sample practice questions. All promotional and guidance information is available from the Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand) at no charge. The Examinee handbook is also available on-line through the Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand) web site at http://www.cpathailand.co.th.

Consulting Services

The Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand) also provides consulting services in the area of language development and language standards.

On a consulting basis, the Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand) conducts language surveys for organizations interested in assessing English language needs, establishing language standards, language use and training.

The Center also provides assistance in helping organizations to establish internal English Language Policies and Standards.

The Center also provides assistance in developing syllabi for English language courses, not only to increase overall language proficiency, but also to target specific organizational needs. Specialized services can also be provided in the areas of teacher training and courseware development.

Payment & Pricing Policies

The following price policies are effective as of September 1, 2009.

A. Standard Fee for an individual TOEIC^® Speaking & Writing tests Test Administration -

- Baht 3,500.00/Test Administration

B. Cancellation Policy - The Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand) has a Cancellation policy for all test takers. Test takers who cancel a reservation for a test less than one calendar week prior to that test date will be charged a Baht 1,000.00 processing fee in addition to their regular test fee the next time they come in to test.

C. No-Show Policy - The Center for Professional Assessment (Thailand) has a No Show policy for all test takers. Test takers who fail to appear for a test without canceling will be charged the full test fee, any pre-paid fees will no be returned.

All fees are quoted inclusive of VAT. All fees are payable in Baht.

All TOEIC Test Administration fees for organizations will be billed directly to the organizations.

All TOEIC Test Administration Fees for individuals are payable on the actual test day.

All TOEIC Individual Score Report Reprints are payable at the time they are ordered.