TOEIC Mastery

It is no secret that many test takers prepare for a test using materials from as many sources as they can lay their hands on. In the case of the TOEIC test, TOEIC Mastery is one of the many options on the market that deserves serious consideration, especially for those who are new to the TOEIC test and want a quick start.

For those who may not have heard of it, TOEIC (or Test of English for International Communication) is a test of one's ability to comprehend the English language, especially as it is used in the international business community. TOEIC was developed by the Education Testing Service (ETS) that also administers many other tests such as TOEFL and GRE, etc. The TOEIC exam is administered by Chauncey Group International, a subsidiary of ETS's for-profit operation. According to TOEIC Services America's website (www.toeic-usa.com), there were over 1.7 million test takers in 2001.

What is available in the package

The TOEIC Mastery package comes with a printed Study Guide, an interactive CD-ROM and a companion website. The Study Guide contains instructions for installing and using the CD-ROM and comprehensive information about the TOEIC test. It also provides helpful test preparation and test taking strategies that are illustrated with informative examples (here is a sample page).

The interactive CD-ROM provides over 1,000 items that are presented either as practice exercises or as items in full length mock tests. Similar to other multimedia test preparation materials, the interactive CD presents test items in a format that mimics the real paper/pencil based test. In addition to the practice items, the CD also comes with a well-written "How-To" section that provides in audio format similar content as that in the Study Guide.

The companion website offers information that is similar to both the Study Guide and the CD-ROM, and has a set of free but very limited TOEIC practice items. The set of free practice items is presented in similar multimedia format as the items on the CD-ROM. These items are offered for review by those who may be evaluating a purchase of the CD-ROM package.

Using the interactive CD

Installation is required before a user can use the interactive CD. A couple of executables and some user data (e.g., license information) will be written to the local hard disk during installation. Apart from a minor glitch for Windows2000 users (discussed towards the end of this review), the installation process should be straight-forward.

The CD has to be inserted into the CD player during each session. To start a practice session, a user logs in and selects a task from the main menu. He/she can choose a particular section of the TOEIC test to practice with either in practice mode or test mode. He/she can also complete a full-length test.

While the real TOEIC exam is taken with paper and pencil, the TOEIC Mastery interactive CD definitely provides a few advantages over TOEIC preparation materials in other media formats. (Interested readers may review this search on Google using the keywords "TOEIC preparation" for preparation materials in other formats).

Convenient access to audio recordings

Listening comprehension practice is automated on the TOEIC Mastery CD in the sense that audio recordings are played immediately as a test question is presented to the user. The user can also switch back and forth between the audio question itself and the feedback window. This ease of access is in sharp contrast to the situation of audio cassettes used together with printed materials--in the latter case it takes time to wind and rewind the tape to pinpoint a specific location in a particular audio segment.

Accessing audio recordings on the CD is also more convenient than using online materials as it isn't necessary to download any large audio files over a potentially slow Internet connection.

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System Requirements:
Multimedia PC
Windows95 or higher

Version Reviewed:
2001 Edition (Single user)

Price Info:

CD-ROM/Book, Single-user and network

1-15 users: $65 ea.
16-30 users: $60 ea.
> 30 users: $55 ea.

Availability:
Commercial software available from the publisher.

Quick Summary:
TOEIC Mastery comes with a Study Guide and an interactive CD-ROM that simulates the actual paper/pencil test while taking advantage of the latest computer technology. The package provides comprehensive information about the TOEIC test, test taking tips and strategies, and over 1,000 practice items. Given its informative nature, the quantity of the practice items, and the well-planned design of the interactive CD-ROM, TOEIC Mastery can best be used by those who are new to the TOEIC test. It is especially useful for those who want to get familiar with the test and test formats in a short period of time.

Screen Capture:
(Click for larger image)

The main menu

Listening

Reading