What TOEIC Scores Mean

You would probably like to know what the scores on the TOEIC mean. Below you can find Matsumoto and West's explanation of the scores and what they mean for Japanese test takers, with a focus on engineers. The TOEIC and STEP equivalencies at the very bottom from one year of students who passed STEP Testing are Tukahara's based on his work and the data at the STEP site. Below that, we have provided a summary of Yonesaka's equivalencies. While these may be fascinating and you may like a numerical evaluation of your level, language ability cannot truly be measured in numbers. We believe that you need to be happy about what you can do now, and continue to work at improving. Test scores are not that important if you are working and moving forward. A score says where you are today; it does not tell you where you will be in six months.

Matsumoto and West
990-860 
Ability to communicate on a variety of topics, both personal and professional, with native speakers. Vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation are reasonably accurate and understandable. Senior office staff posted overseas.
860-730 
Ability to communicate with success in various situations where the testee has some expertise. Vocabulary, grammar, etc. may not always be the best choice or completely accurate, but testee will be understood. Junior office staff posted overseas.
730-470 
Ability to communicate about everyday matters and daily news, although limited in business- matter communication. Fluency is not rapid but not a major hindrance. Senior domestic office staff dealing in English matters. Engineers posted overseas.
470-220 
Ability to communicate at the lowest level on everyday matters. Fluency is slow; changes conversation subjects with difficulty. Uses simple grammar structures and vocabulary. Junior domestic office staff dealing with English matters. Engineers dealing domestically with English matters.
220-10 
Ability to communicate in English is very limited.

Tukuhara
2001 Successes on The STEP Test and the TOEIC values
Level One TOEIC 908
Pre One TOEIC 751
Level Two TOEIC 519

Yonesaka
Step Pre-2 = 425 to 475 TOEIC = 110 to 123 CBT TOEFL = 420 to 440 PBT
Step Level 2 = 500 to 650 TOEIC, 133 to 180 CBT TOEFL = 450 to 510 PBT
Step Pre-1= 675 to 730 TOEIC = 190 to 213 CBT TOEFL = 520 to 550 PBT
Step Level 1 = 775 to 900 TOEIC= 220 to 253 CBT TOEFL = 560 to 910 PBT
925 to 990 TOEIC = 260 to 280 CBT TOEFL = 620 to 650 PBT