Improving your TOEIC reading score quickly can be challenging, especially with limited time to prepare. But with the right strategies and approach, it’s possible. This guide will provide you with actionable tips that focus on improving your reading score in a short period. Whether you are aiming for a high score for work, study, or personal goals, follow these steps to maximize your success.
Focus on Understanding the Reading Test Structure
To improve your TOEIC reading score quickly, it is critical to understand the structure of the reading section:
The TOEIC reading test consists of three main parts:
| Part | Description | Question Types |
|---|---|---|
| Part 5: Incomplete Sentences | Sentence-level questions that require you to fill in the blanks. | Vocabulary and grammar |
| Part 6: Text Completion | Passages with gaps where you must fill in the correct words or phrases. | Grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure |
| Part 7: Reading Comprehension | Single and multiple passages with questions. | Detail-oriented, inferencing, and purpose |
By understanding this structure, you spend less time trying to figure out what questions are asking and focus more on finding the correct answers.
Develop Skimming and Scanning Skills
What are Skimming and Scanning?
- Skimming: Reading quickly to grasp the main idea of the text.
- Scanning: Looking through the text to find specific information.
These two techniques can drastically improve your reading speed and help you answer questions faster.
Improve TOEIC reading speed with skimming and scanning skills
How to Practice:
- Choose a short text and practice skimming it within 1-2 minutes. Identify the main ideas and overall structure.
- Then, reread the text and scan for specific keywords, dates, or names.
- Implement these methods with TOEIC practice tests to get used to the timing pressure.
In fact, mastering these two skills can also be beneficial in other parts of the TOEIC exam, such as the listening comprehension section.
Prioritize Vocabulary Acquisition
A strong vocabulary is key to quickly comprehending the reading passages and answering questions accurately. Start by focusing on high-frequency TOEIC words such as business terms, formal language, and common English expressions.
Methods to Build Your Vocabulary:
- Word Lists: Create flashcards of common TOEIC vocabulary.
- Contextual Learning: Read business or news articles and learn words in context. This helps you remember them easily.
For example, here are business-related words that often appear in TOEIC exams:
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| “Policy” | A set of rules or guidelines | “The company has strict attendance policies.” |
| “Contract” | A formal agreement | “He signed a contract for a new job.” |
| “Invoice” | A bill for goods or services | “Please send the invoice via email.” |
Focus on understanding the meaning, how they are used in context, and the level of formality.
Building a strong vocabulary for business-related TOEIC context
Practice With Timed Reading Exercises
Taking the TOEIC requires more than just knowledge—it demands time management. To improve your TOEIC reading score quickly, you must train yourself to answer questions within a limited time.
Here’s a 5-step process to improve your time management:
- Set a Timer: Allocate a strict time limit (e.g., 75 minutes for Reading Part 7) when practicing reading passages.
- Work Backwards: Start with the last questions in a practice test. Often, these can be the hardest, and handling them first ensures you answer with full concentration.
- Track Your Time: Record how much time you spend on each question. Work to decrease this time gradually.
- Use Practice Tests: Regularly take full reading tests under test-like conditions to get comfortable.
- Review Your Mistakes: Analyze where you lost time or misinterpreted questions after each practice test.
This method not only helps in improving your overall reading performance but also prepares you for the actual TOEIC exam environment.
Strengthen Grammar and Sentence Structure Knowledge
Improving your grammar knowledge is essential to perform well in Part 5 and Part 6 of the reading section, which focus on sentence completion.
Concentrate on These Key Grammar Points:
- Verb tenses: Ensure you can differentiate between past, present, and future tenses.
- Subject-verb agreement: Make sure the subject and the verb align correctly in number and tense.
- Modifiers: Understand where to place adjectives and adverbs correctly in a sentence.
When studying grammar, memorize patterns and test yourself using TOEIC style questions.
Understanding key grammar and sentence structure for TOEIC success
Expert Advice from Mr. Linh Nguyen, TOEIC Specialist:
“Focusing on your grammar skills can dramatically improve your accuracy in the first two parts of the reading section. The more grammar rules you internalize, the quicker you can pinpoint the correct answers.”
Manage Distractors and Focus on Key Information
In TOEIC Reading Part 7, it’s common for questions to include distractors, or options that seem correct but are misleading. Enhancing your critical reading skills can help you avoid traps.
Tips to Handle Distractors:
- Always find proof in the passage before selecting an answer. Avoid guessing based on memory or assumption.
- Pay special attention to adjectives, adverbs, and verbs, as they often contain important clues.
- Watch out for “absolute” language such as “always” or “never,” which can be a sign of a distractor.
Pro Tip: When unsure of an answer, eliminate choices by testing them against information from the text.
Review and Optimize for the Exam Day
In the days leading up to the TOEIC exam, focus on these critical moves:
- Take Mock Tests: Simulate test conditions as much as possible.
- Review Mistakes: Study why you missed certain questions and learn from those mistakes.
- Rest Well: Ensure adequate sleep the night before the exam for peak performance.
Taking timed mock tests for better time management in TOEIC
Conclusion
To improve your TOEIC reading score quickly, focus on mastering the reading test structure, vocabulary, and skimming/scanning techniques. Maximize your time by practicing with mock exams, reviewing grammar essentials, and fine-tuning your time management skills. With the right preparation, achieving your target TOEIC reading score is entirely possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How can I increase my TOEIC reading score quickly?
The best way is to practice skimming and scanning, focus on high-frequency TOEIC vocabulary, and manage your time effectively with timed mock tests.
Q2: How is the TOEIC reading section structured?
It includes three parts: Incomplete Sentences (Part 5), Text Completion (Part 6), and Reading Comprehension (Part 7).
Q3: Are vocabulary flashcards effective for TOEIC?
Yes, flashcards can help you quickly memorize key words commonly found on TOEIC, especially business English terms.
Q4: What are common grammar mistakes in TOEIC reading?
Mistakes often involve verb tense usage, subject-verb agreement, and incorrect use of modifiers or conjunctions.
Q5: How should I manage my time during the TOEIC reading test?
Divide your time according to test parts, take practice tests, and use techniques like scanning for quick information retrieval.
