The Trajectory from 400 to 960

In this article, I will talk about how I achieved a score of 960 on the TOEIC.
It took me more than 10 years to score above 900 points.
This article is not about strategies to get high scores; rather, it’s about how I approached the exam over the last 10 years.

First Test

I took the exam when I was around 20 years old and scored about 400 points.
I remember my university professor telling me that my score was relatively low for an English Literature major.

In Japan, many university students take the TOEIC for their CVs.

For those unfamiliar with the significance of these scores for job hunting, here’s a brief explanation:

300 points: You might give the impression that your English skills are weak.
500 points: This shows the company that you’ve made some effort, indicating that you understand the key points in a conversation.
700 points: You can express yourself in English, but your skills may not be sufficient for business-related conversations.
900 points: You can express yourself fluently in English, without needing a dictionary every time you encounter an unfamiliar word. You can ask for explanations and understand them.

This is how I felt as my scores improved over time.

Second Exam

I took the exam after studying abroad, where I studied English with students from various backgrounds.
After returning, I scored 700 points.

Third Exam

I took the third exam in my first year at my first job.
I scored 800 points, and my salary increased after the company president learned of my score.

Fourth Exam

I scored 900 points when I started working as a dispatched employee. My job involved translation and interpretation.

Fifth Exam

This year, I scored 960.
I also passed the Eiken Grade 1 exam this year.

Now, I upload Let’s Play videos, translating English into Japanese.

My Relationship with English

I’ve always liked English. A couple of years ago, while I was learning Spanish, I didn’t even want to listen to English because I found it easy to mix up Spanish and English. But aside from that period, I’ve always enjoyed English.

Summary: Perseverance

What I’ve learned from my English journey is that 10 years of small, consistent steps can change you significantly.

I’m not a particularly diligent English learner, and getting 990 (a perfect score) isn’t my goal.

My TOEIC scores improved simply because I never stopped enjoying English. It never bores me. It still entertains me in many ways.

Sorry to those who expected to hear an effective strategy for getting high scores—there is no secret.
Just continuing to do what you enjoy can lead to achievements.