TOEIC or STEP ?

In Japan, most Advanced English learners try to get some certification regarding English language proficiency. The most popular one must be the TOEIC, which is also common in other countries, such as Korea or China. However, there is another learning language proficiency test. It is called EIKEN or STEP. But, few native speakers of English know the exam. Here is some information from their website:

The Society for Testing English Proficiency (STEP) is Japan’s largest testing body and a leader in international education. Established in 1963 in cooperation with the Japanese education ministry, STEP is a nonprofit foundation with a clear objective: to advance English learning in Japan by providing objective measures of proficiency.

Now in its fifth decade, STEP administers a wide range of English assessment tools for education and business, sponsors and conducts research into testing and language acquisition, and plays an active role in international conferences and testing councils.

http://stepeiken.org/

EIKEN Test Format: Two stages, four skills

EIKEN is administered in two stages. The First Stage is paper-based and consists of four main testing areas:

1. Vocabulary
2. Reading comprehension
3. Listening
comprehension
4. Writing

The Second Stage is a direct speaking component, designed to discriminate between examinees with interactive speaking skills and those who merely perform well on multiple-choice tests.

The EIKEN speaking test is

-Required for all examinees who pass the First Stage
-A personal interview conducted on-site by qualified examiners
-Administered for Grades 1, Pre-1, 2, Pre-2, and 3.

An examinee must pass both stages of a grade in order to receive qualification.

http://stepeiken.org/about/eiken-test-format.shtml