In 1991, Ministry of Education reforms gave universities greater freedom to decide their own curriculum and graduation conditions. Universities were also allowed to accept Ministry-recognised qualifications as university credits. Initially, only National examinations (kokka shiken) were accredited, but in 1999, the Ministry declared “TOEIC and other tests which had received wide recognition by society” deserved to be accredited too. (Rebuck, 2003: 30).
Whether TOEIC‟s exalted status in Japan led to its accreditation, or whether it was a consequence of Ministry support in the first place is a matter for debate.
TOEIC face validity is remarkably high among companies, universities and individuals. It appears that the group least satisfied with the TOEIC test are English teachers.