How to Manage Time in TOEIC in a Month: Proven Strategies

Preparing for the TOEIC exam under a tight timeline can be challenging. However, with the right strategies and time management techniques, you can optimize your study plan and improve your test-taking skills effectively. In this article, we’ll dive into a detailed guide that will help you manage time in TOEIC in a month for maximum results.

Understanding the Structure of the TOEIC Exam

Before diving into time management strategies, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the exam structure:

With two sections and a limited window, efficient time management becomes critical.

Build a 30-Day TOEIC Study Plan for Time Management

Week 1: Focus on Fundamentals

The key to week one is laying a strong foundation in both listening and reading sections. Here’s how to divide your days:

• Days 1-3: Listening Practice

  • Focus on Part 1 (Photographs) and Part 2 (Question-Response)
  • Practice making quick decisions and moving on without overthinking.
  • Limit yourself to 3 seconds for descriptions and answers in practice mode.

• Days 4-7: Reading Comprehension Basics

  • Start with Part 5 (Incomplete Sentences) and Part 6 (Text Completion).
  • Use a timer to practice answering in 15 seconds for each question in Part 5.

Pro Tip: Revisit vocabulary regularly. A resource like the “quickest way to learn TOEIC vocabulary step by step” can be crucial to quicken this process.

Week 2: Build Speed and Focus

Now that you’ve gotten some initial practice, it’s time to pick up the pace.

• Days 8-10: Listening Speed Focus

  • Gradually increase your listening speed to complex conversation and talks (Part 3 and Part 4).
  • Keep a notepad handy—write down key points (who, what, where).

• Days 11-14: Tackling Long Reading Passages

  • Focus on Part 7 (Reading Comprehension).
  • At first, time yourself as you read and answer the questions. Aim for 1 minute per question and then work to lower that to 45 seconds as you improve.

Expert Tip from Mr. Hùng, an experienced TOEIC trainer:
“Keeping track of time with a stopwatch during practice helps build urgency. However, you should balance between accuracy and speed—don’t sacrifice one for the other.”

Week 3: Mock Tests and Error Correction

Time management for TOEIC success depends on being able to simulate real testing conditions.

• Days 15-18: Full-Length Listening Test

  • Take a complete listening test under a strict 45-minute time limit.
  • Review incorrect answers thoroughly and understand why you missed them.

• Days 19-21: Full Reading Test

  • Ensure you complete every section, focus on pacing yourself through Part 7, as it tends to be more time-consuming.
  • Keep track of how much time you spend on each passage.

Week 4: Final Push to Improve Timing

Your last week should focus intensively on refining your strategy and maintaining control of time.

• Days 22-25: Mixed Practice

  • Mix both reading and listening sections during your practice to mimic the exam. Aim to finish within the allotted time.

• Days 26-28: Review Weaknesses

  • Revisit areas where you struggled. Focus on correcting mistakes quickly and reinforcing test-taking strategies that have worked for you.

• Day 29: Final Mock Test

  • Take a full test one last time under strict conditions to assess your final pace accuracy balance.

• Day 30: Review and Relax

  • Go over key vocabulary and grammar briefly, then spend time relaxing to ensure you’re mentally ready for the exam.

For effective pacing, you can refer to this guide on how to handle TOEIC vocabulary effectively, which covers efficient methods to tackle essential vocab you’ll need in the exam.

Time Management Tips for the Actual TOEIC Exam

• Allocate Time per Section:

  • In the Reading section, spend no more than:
    • 20 minutes on Parts 5 & 6.
    • 50 minutes on Part 7.
  • Move on quickly from difficult questions—don’t linger too long and risk losing time.

• Prioritize Accuracy in Listening:

  • Stay focused and try not to rewind mentally—this can cause you to lose track.

• Skim Efficiently for Reading:

  • Learn to skim the text for key info without reading every single word.

Another tip from TOEIC expert Ms. Phượng:
“When you get stuck on a sentence with complicated grammar, skip and come back to it—don’t let one question steal your precious time!”

Conclusion

Managing time in the TOEIC exam requires preparation, smart strategies, and consistent effort. By following this 30-day TOEIC study plan, you can systematically build your skills while focusing on timing. Remember, practice under real exam conditions and regularly assess your progress to stay on the right track!

Ready to ace the TOEIC? You may want to check out these additional resources on how to ace TOEIC test effectively and tips for TOEIC for guaranteed success.

FAQs about TOEIC Time Management

1. How much time should I allocate per section in the TOEIC reading?

For Parts 5 & 6, spend around 20 minutes and reserve the remaining 50-55 minutes for Part 7, which is typically more time-consuming.

2. What’s the best way to manage my time during TOEIC Listening?

Focus on listening attentively and don’t get stuck on questions. Once you have answered, move on to the next immediately.

3. How often should I practice full TOEIC tests within a month?

It’s best to spend at least two weeks practicing mock tests regularly, especially in Week 3 and Week 4 of your preparation.

4. How do I handle difficult questions to avoid wasting time?

If you get stuck, skip the question and come back to it later. It’s important not to get bogged down by one question.

5. Should I use a timer during my TOEIC practice sessions?

Yes, using a timer will help you build the habit of pacing yourself during the test.

6. What is the most time-consuming part of the TOEIC test?

The Reading section, particularly Part 7 (Reading Comprehension), is usually the most time-consuming due to the length and complexity of the passages.

If you’re a beginner, get more advice from TOEIC preparation advice for beginners to kickstart your journey.