A free, validated business English test for corporate recruitment, developed for Toyota as a low-cost alternative to the TOEIC.
The TOEIC is the default benchmark for business English in corporate hiring, but at up to US$200 per candidate, screening 100 applicants costs $20,000 before a single offer is made. Scheduling is controlled by external providers, and the test itself takes considerably longer than most recruitment pipelines can comfortably accommodate.
The Business English Proficiency Test (BEPT) was developed to solve this problem. Originally created for Toyota's corporate recruitment process, it is a one-hour, internally administered assessment that measures practical business English ability across reading, writing, and error detection. Regression analysis of results from 833 candidates over two years confirmed that BEPT scores predict TOEIC performance with an adjusted R² of 71.5%: accurate enough to use as a screening tool with confidence.
The exam papers, mark scheme, and raw data are all available to download free of charge below.
How the BEPT Works
The BEPT is designed to be administered independently by HR teams or hiring managers, with no specialist equipment or external licensing required. All sections except the writing task are multiple choice, allowing for fast and consistent marking. The full test is completed within one hour.
It consists of three sections:
- Error Detection: candidates identify common grammatical and vocabulary errors in business English sentences, testing accuracy in professional written communication.
- Reading Comprehension: candidates read a business-level article and answer multiple choice questions assessing their understanding of tone, nuance, and key ideas.
- Writing Task: candidates choose one of two business writing prompts and produce a short response, assessed for clarity, structure, and appropriateness.
Listening and speaking were deliberately excluded. Both are better assessed during the interview stage, and their inclusion would complicate administration and extend the test beyond what most recruitment sessions can accommodate.
Correlation to TOEIC Scores
Over a two-year period, 833 candidates sat the BEPT as part of a corporate recruitment process. Of these, 54 were hired and subsequently took the TOEIC.
Regression analysis of those 54 paired results produced an adjusted R² of 71.5%, indicating a strong and statistically acceptable correlation between BEPT and TOEIC performance. This means organisations can use BEPT scores to estimate where a candidate would likely score on the TOEIC, without incurring the cost or scheduling constraints of external testing.
Estimated TOEIC Score Conversion Table
The table below provides estimated TOEIC score ranges based on BEPT results, derived from the regression formula in the raw data spreadsheet. The maximum BEPT score is 44.
| BEPT Score | Estimated TOEIC Score |
|---|---|
| 10 | 100 |
| 15 | 215 |
| 20 | 325 |
| 25 | 440 |
| 30 | 555 |
| 35 | 665 |
| 40 | 780 |
| 44 (max) | 870 |
Estimates are derived from regression analysis of 54 paired BEPT/TOEIC results and carry an inherent margin of error. The formula is most reliable for scores in the 20-40 BEPT range, where the majority of candidate data is concentrated. Treat these figures as indicative rather than precise equivalences. The official TOEIC scale runs from 10 to 990.
Download the BEPT (Free)
All materials are available under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY NC SA 4.0) licence.
Exam Papers
[##download## Exam Papers Download]
A printable PDF formatted for A3 as a foldable booklet.
Mark Scheme
[##download## Mark Scheme Download]
Includes the writing rubric and answer key for the reading and error detection sections.
Raw Data & Regression Analysis
[##download## Raw Data Spreadsheet]
Anonymised BEPT and TOEIC scores, regression output, and a formula to calculate an estimated TOEIC score from any BEPT result.
Licence and Permitted Use
You may administer the BEPT within a company or commercial organisation, adapt or redistribute the materials under the same licence, and use the raw data for research or analysis. You may not sell the test itself. For any other use case, please contact me directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Business English Proficiency Test (BEPT)?
The BEPT is a one-hour business English assessment designed for companies and learners who need a practical alternative to the TOEIC. It evaluates error detection, reading comprehension, and business writing.
How does the BEPT compare to the TOEIC in terms of cost and accuracy?
The BEPT can be administered internally at no cost, making it significantly cheaper than the TOEIC. At up to US$200 per candidate, the TOEIC can cost tens of thousands of dollars for large applicant pools. Regression analysis shows a strong correlation between BEPT and TOEIC scores, allowing organisations to estimate TOEIC performance without paying for external testing.
Is the BEPT suitable for recruitment screening and internal assessments?
Yes. The test was originally developed for corporate recruitment at Toyota and validated through two years of data collection across 833 candidates. Its structure makes it effective for screening applicants, assessing internal English proficiency, and supporting promotion or training decisions.
Is the BEPT free to download and use?
Yes. The materials are released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence, which allows modification and redistribution for non-commercial purposes. Any adapted versions must be shared under the same licence terms.
How accurate is the BEPT in predicting TOEIC scores?
Analysis of 54 hired candidates showed an adjusted R² of 71.5%, indicating a strong predictive relationship. The conversion table above provides estimated TOEIC ranges based on BEPT results. Estimates are most reliable for BEPT scores in the 20-40 range.
Does the BEPT include listening or speaking components?
No. The BEPT focuses on written business English to keep administration simple and fast. Listening and speaking are better evaluated during interviews or through separate oral assessments.
Who should use the BEPT?
HR teams, corporate recruiters, ESL instructors, training departments, and learners who need a business-focused English assessment aligned with workplace communication standards.
Is the BEPT appropriate for non-native English speakers applying for corporate roles?
Yes. The test was designed for international recruitment environments and reflects the types of English tasks non-native speakers encounter in global business settings.
How long does the BEPT take to complete?
One hour, making it straightforward to administer within a standard recruitment or training session.
Originally published 4 Nov 2015. Updated 22 Mar 2026.
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