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The TOEIC® Test: A Career Accelerator for French Professionals
ETS EMEA reveals the results of a survey conducted among 4,000 learners who took the TOEIC® test as part of a training program funded by the Compte Personnel de Formation (CPF – Personal Training Account) between February 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.
The results demonstrate the positive impact of the certification on the professional development of recipients. They also confirm that strong English skills, backed by reliable certification, are a key differentiator in an increasingly competitive and global job market.
· Training and Certification That Open Doors
The survey first reveals a high level of satisfaction with English training: 92.5% of respondents stated they were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their program.
Additionally, 44.6% reported a positive change in their professional situation following the training—such as a promotion, new responsibilities, a sector change, or a career shift. These dynamics highlight the role of the TOEIC test as a powerful lever for career advancement or mobility.
· The TOEIC Test: A Quality-Driven Choice
The main motivations for taking the TOEIC test were the quality of the certification (39.3%), recognition by employers (21.8%), and international recognition (18.2%).
More than a language certificate, the TOEIC test is perceived as a true professional asset.
Participants with clearly defined goals—such as proving their English level to employers or increasing their international employability—were more likely to experience career advancement. This underscores how strong motivation, and clear ambitions contribute to success in the TOEIC journey.
· Learners from Diverse Backgrounds
CPF candidates who took the TOEIC test came from a wide range of backgrounds, including varying ages, education levels, professional situations, and industries.
Respondents who initially had higher levels of English were more likely to report tangible professional benefits, such as promotions or career changes.
Educational background also played a key role: those with degrees beyond a Master’s level were more likely to report career advancement, while those with lower academic qualifications tended to report more stable professional situations—suggesting that they primarily sought to validate or gain formal recognition for skills already acquired.
· Crucial Alignment Between Certification and Training
The TOEIC certification significantly supports participants’ professional progress. Training programs led by an instructor or blended approaches (instructor and a digital learning tool) better equipped candidates for meaningful outcomes.
Short and intensive training formats tended to yield quicker positive impacts, while longer programs (more than six months) were often attended by individuals with more stable professional paths or nearing retirement.
About the Survey
As part of the 2025 renewal process of TOEIC test eligibility under the CPF, ETS EMEA partnered with Soladis, a firm specializing in the analysis of complex data, to support this project.
The goal was to deliver a clear, detailed analysis of CPF learning paths involving the TOEIC test.
This report is based on a trajectory survey conducted among CPF candidates who took a TOEIC test between February 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.
By combining TOEIC test scores with responses to a candidate questionnaire, the analysis aims to provide insights into user experience, satisfaction, and the impact of the certification in the workplace.