Managing your time effectively is one of the key components to success in the TOEIC exam. Whether you’re aiming for a score above 800 or just trying to pass, knowing How To Manage Time In TOEIC Like A Pro can help you maximize your performance throughout the test.
Time management comes down to strategic decision-making, pacing, and knowing the ins and outs of each section. In this article, we’ll go over some vital tips and tricks on how to manage time efficiently in the TOEIC exam to ensure you stay on track and confident.
Why Time Management is Crucial in TOEIC
The TOEIC test is divided into two sections: Listening and Reading. You are given a set time for each part:
- Listening section: 45 minutes for 100 questions
- Reading section: 75 minutes for 100 questions
That’s a total of 200 questions in 120 minutes, which leaves little margin for error. Without excellent time management, candidates easily run out of time, especially during the lengthy reading section.
Time Management Tips for the Listening Section
The listening section is shorter but fast-paced, and while you can’t control the timing (as the recording runs continuously), you can manage your focus and preparedness. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Focus on Key Information
During the listening test, focus on the essence of the conversation or talk. Don’t worry too much if you miss certain details; just pick up the main idea, keywords, and speaker intentions.
“In my experience of coaching TOEIC students for over 10 years, one of the best ways to improve listening skills is to practice skimming conversations for the gist, which will save you precious time.” – Phương Vinh, TOEIC Expert
2. Anticipate Answers
Before the recording starts, scan the questions quickly, especially for the Picture Description and Questions & Response sections. By staying one step ahead, you’ll be mentally prepared for what’s coming next.
You should also consider leveraging some strategic guessing techniques when you’re not sure about an answer. If you want some specific examples on this, check out this guide on ways to guess answers in TOEIC from scratch.
3. Move On Quickly
Once you select your answer, move on. Don’t dwell on past questions or try to “fix” answers you’re unsure of — the listening recording won’t wait for you! Trust your instincts and focus on the questions at hand.
Time Management Tips for the Reading Section
The reading section is often where time management becomes more challenging due to the long, dense texts. Here’s how you can ace the section while maintaining a balanced pace.
1. Skim Before Reading
Before diving into the passage, skim the questions first to know what to look for. Focus on keywords like dates, names, or specific figures that will help you locate the right part of the text quicker.
2. Solve Easiest Questions First
Not all reading questions are created equal. Start with the easier questions that involve direct information from the text (like the single-sentence or short-answer questions) to conserve time. Then, allocate the remaining time for longer, more complex questions, like the reading comprehension ones.
3. Track Your Time for Each Section
To cover 100 questions in 75 minutes, you should aim to spend no more than 1 minute per question. Try this breakdown:
- Part 5 (Incomplete Sentences): 20 minutes (30 questions)
- Part 6 (Text Completion): 10 minutes (16 questions)
- Part 7 (Reading Comprehension): 45 minutes (54 questions)
By sticking to this plan, you ensure you’ve budgeted enough time for the tougher comprehension passages later in the test. Consider practicing this technique in advance to see how comfortable you are completing each section within the recommended time limits.
For more guidance on the vocabulary that often shows up in these sections, our article on how to handle TOEIC vocabulary for listening section can also help reinforce your preparation.
4. Guess and Move On
In sections where you feel stuck, make an educated guess and move on. There’s no penalty for wrong answers in TOEIC, so don’t waste too much time on any single question. This principle also applies to questions with time-consuming traps, explained more in our article on common TOEIC traps from scratch.
5. Review (If Time Allows)
If you’ve managed to finish ahead of time, use those final moments to review the toughest questions. But remember, don’t second-guess yourself too much! Trust your instincts and only change answers if you’re sure you’ve made a mistake.
Expert Strategies: Proven Time Management Techniques
Here are a couple of strategies used by experienced TOEIC trainers to help students improve their pacing.
“For my students, the ‘45-second rule’ has proven extremely effective in the reading section. For each question, they spend no more than 45 seconds: if they can’t answer within that time, they move on and come back later if needed.” – Nam Hoàng, TOEIC Instructor
Using a strategy like this can help keep you on pace, especially when tackling difficult questions. Practicing these techniques under timed conditions will better prepare you for the actual test day.
Conclusion
Effectively managing your time in TOEIC is crucial to obtaining a high score. By focusing on key details, skimming and anticipating answers, and dividing your time thoughtfully across different sections, you can improve your overall performance on test day. Approaching the test with a strategic mindset will help reduce stress and ensure that you maximize every minute.
If you’re looking for other TOEIC tips, be sure to explore our recommendations on common TOEIC mistakes with free resources to avoid pitfalls that could slow you down during the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much time should I spend on each section in TOEIC?
For the Listening section, there’s no flexibility in timing as it’s paced by the recording. However, for the Reading section, try to spend roughly:
- 20 minutes on Part 5
- 10 minutes on Part 6
- 45 minutes on Part 7
2. What’s the best way to manage time in the reading section?
Skim the questions first, answer the easiest ones, and move on quickly if you’re uncertain. It’s vital to work efficiently, especially in Part 7 of the test.
3. How can I develop better time management for TOEIC?
Practice full mock exams under timed conditions. Familiarize yourself with question types and aim to finish practice sections within the recommended time.
4. Should I guess on questions I’m unsure of?
Yes, never leave a question unanswered. There’s no penalty for guessing, so make an educated guess and move on to the next.
5. Is there any specific tip for handling long reading passages in TOEIC?
Yes, when faced with long passages, briefly go through the questions beforehand, and then scan the passage for relevant keywords rather than reading the entire text word-for-word.
