In AST admissions, English matters. Most business schools require a certification score, and the TOEIC is by far the most common. What score to aim for depending on the school, how to prepare without spending months on it, which alternatives are accepted: here are the essentials on the TOEIC and AST admissions.
What role does the TOEIC play in your AST application file?
The TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) measures your understanding of written and spoken English in a professional context. The classic version, the TOEIC Listening & Reading, is scored out of 990 points and lasts about 2 hours for 200 multiple-choice questions.
In an AST application file, the English score plays two roles: clearing the minimum threshold required by the school, and strengthening your profile when the score is high. It is a prerequisite where it would be a shame to lose easy points.
What TOEIC score should you aim for, by school?
Requirements vary from one school to another, and sometimes change from one year to the next. As a general benchmark:
A score of 750 or more is often expected as a baseline. The most selective schools value profiles above 850, or even 900. A score above 900 becomes a real differentiating asset in your application.
Important: these figures are rough benchmarks. Always check the official requirements of each of your target schools, as some set a precise threshold while others leave the score to the panel's judgment.
How to prepare for the TOEIC effectively
The TOEIC is highly standardized, which is good news: you can prepare for it methodically.
Get familiar with the format. The seven parts (photographs, question-response, conversations, reading passages, text completion, etc.) each have their own logic. Knowing them saves you time on test day.
Work on your listening regularly. The Listening section relies heavily on your ear. Listening to professional English (podcasts, videos, conversations) between sessions helps you improve effortlessly.
Build your business vocabulary. Many questions involve workplace situations: meetings, emails, logistics, human resources. Create your own list of recurring vocabulary.
Manage your time. 200 questions in 2 hours leaves little margin. Practice under timed conditions so you are not caught short on the Reading section.
Which alternative certifications are accepted?
The TOEIC is the most common, but several schools accept other recognized certifications, such as the TOEFL, the IELTS or certain Cambridge exams. Requirements and equivalences differ from one institution to another. Before choosing your test, check the list of certifications accepted by each of your target schools so you only prepare for the test that counts for you.
Perguntas frequentes
Is the TOEIC mandatory for AST admissions? Not always, but an English certification almost always is, and the TOEIC is the most widely accepted. Check school by school.
How long does it take to prepare for the TOEIC? A few weeks of consistent work is often enough to improve significantly, especially if you already have a solid base. Consistency beats cramming.
When is the best time to take the TOEIC? Ideally before the application submission phase, so you have your score in hand when you apply. Allow for the time it takes to receive your results.
Prepare for AST admissions from start to finish
English is only part of the equation. The heart of AST admissions remains the TAGE MAGE, and that is where the biggest share of your result is decided. On AST Blitz, you practice for free on thousands of TAGE MAGE questions with detailed explanations, with a duel mode and progress tracking.
Perguntas frequentes
Is the TOEIC mandatory for AST admissions?
Not always, but an English certification almost always is, and the TOEIC is the most widely accepted. Check school by school.
Quanto tempo leva para preparar o TOEIC?
A few weeks of consistent work is often enough to improve significantly, especially if you already have a solid base. Consistency beats cramming.
When is the best time to take the TOEIC?
Ideally before the application submission phase, so you have your score in hand when you apply. Allow for the time it takes to receive your results.
