Banco de Espana decides to use the TOEIC test as a part of its recruitment process - 30/09/2008

ETS Global – Spain has signed a contract with the Banco de España (Spanish National Bank) to provide them with the TOEIC^® assessment to test the English skills of candidates applying to them for employment.

Globalization, European convergence and the need to communicate with European Central Bank authorities in Frankfurt convinced Banco de España to standardise their procedure to measure the English language competence of their potential employees. Accordingly, the bank will insist on candidates taking the TOEIC test to certify their language abilities.

The bank, in consultation with ETS Global, has set a minimum TOEIC score requirement of  785, with a minimum of 400 points to be achieved in the Listening section, and 385 in the Reading section. The TOEIC score will then be converted into a 10-point based scale (for instance, 385 will be considered 5 points), keeping in line with the other ability tests that candidates have to take.

“This deal is more than one that just brings in revenue,” states Gabriella Alimi, Country Manager, ETS Global – Spain. “Banco de España is known to have one of the more difficult and accurate recruitment processes of all institutions in Spain. And having the TOEIC test chosen to certify workplace English language proficiency as a part of their recruitment process, enhances our credibility and visibility manifold both in the Public Services and Corporate markets.”