<![CDATA[Vocational polytechnics across Indonesia utilize the TOEIC as both a graduation requirement and a professional credential, making it an important benchmark for students' academic and career development. However, limited research has explored students' perceptions of TOEIC preparation and their readiness to take the test. This study employed a survey involving 141 EFL students from four departments at an Indonesian polytechnic. Quantitative data from Likert-scale items were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while responses to an open-ended question were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that students recognized the professional importance of the TOEIC and generally viewed institutional preparation positively. However, they reported difficulties in understanding rapid speech with different accents, mastering technical vocabulary, and completing reading tasks within the allotted time. Although the preparation courses were considered helpful, students consistently highlighted the need for more authentic practice, particularly through strategy-based activities, full-length mock tests, and timed exercises that resemble actual TOEIC conditions. While students' perceptions of the TOEIC, the Listening Section, and the Reading Section did not differ significantly across departments, perceptions of TOEIC preparation showed a significant departmental difference. These findings suggest that TOEIC preparation programs should place greater emphasis on performance-oriented practice to better support students' readiness for high-stakes English proficiency tests.]]>
