If you’re aiming to ace the TOEIC exam, mastering time management is essential. Whether you’re tackling the reading or listening sections, knowing how to allocate time wisely can significantly improve your score. In this guide, we’ll explore Best Strategies For TOEIC Time Management, ensuring that you’re fully prepared for test day.
Why Is Time Management Crucial for the TOEIC Test?
The TOEIC exam is designed to assess your English proficiency in a limited amount of time. While knowing your grammar, vocabulary, and listening skills is very important, you must also be able to manage the available time effectively. Without time management skills, it’s easy to get stuck on difficult questions, leaving you pressed for time on easier ones.
Successful time management allows you to:
- Avoid spending too much time on tricky questions
- Ensure you complete all parts of the test
- Maximize your overall score by answering more questions correctly
By the end of this article, you’ll be armed with practical strategies to manage your time efficiently during the TOEIC exam.
Essential Time Management Tips for Each TOEIC Section
Let’s dive into the most effective strategies you can implement during each section of the TOEIC:
Listening Section
The Listening Section of the TOEIC has 4 parts, totaling 100 questions. You need to complete this section in approximately 45 minutes. Here are some time management strategies:
- Use Preview Time Wisely: Before the audio starts, quickly glance through the questions and predict the context. This will allow you to focus more during the recording of each part.
- Stay Calm If You Miss an Answer: If you don’t catch an answer, move on. Don’t dwell on missed questions since the recording only plays once. You can always guess strategically later.
- Focus on Key Details: For the more challenging comprehension questions involving dialogues or longer monologues, focus on key information such as numbers, locations, and actions. This will help you navigate through the details quickly.
By following this technique, you’ll be more efficient with your time during the listening section — for more tips, check out our article on quick TOEIC tips without stress.
Reading Section
The Reading Section has three parts (Parts 5, 6, and 7) and 75 questions. You have 75 minutes, so time allocation in this section is critical.
Part 5: Incomplete Sentences
- Average Time Per Question: Aim to spend no more than 20 seconds per question. These are short fill-in-the-blank sentences, so you should be able to answer them quickly.
- Identify Patterns: The questions in this part often follow patterns involving grammar (e.g., verb tenses) or vocabulary.
TOEIC incomplete sentence patterns focusing on grammar and vocabulary
Part 6: Text Completion
- Move Quickly Through Simple Sentences: Similar to Part 5, many questions are straightforward, so try to spend less than 30 seconds per sentence. However, take a little more time on more complex sentences or structures.
“Speed is important but precision should not be sacrificed—use strategies that focus on identifying the correct part of speech or meaning for each blank quickly.” — Nguyễn Minh Tuấn, TOEIC Expert
Part 7: Reading Comprehension
This part involves reading passages and answering multiple-choice questions. The real challenge lies in the dense text and the various question types:
- Scan First, Then Skim: For longer passages, quickly scan the question first to know what information to look for, then skim through the article until you find that relevant detail.
- Prioritize Easy Questions: Some questions require only locating specific information (e.g., dates, names), while others need critical thinking. Handle the factual questions first to secure easy points and then return to more complex ones.
- Divide Your Time: Make sure to dedicate enough time to Part 7 (roughly 45 minutes). Reserve around 25-30 minutes for the other reading parts (Parts 5 and 6).
Effective skimming and scanning techniques to prioritize easy questions on the TOEIC reading section
For an additional deep-dive into vocabulary usage and example sentences for Part 5 & 6, read our guide on how to handle TOEIC vocabulary with example sentences.
Time-Saving Hacks for the Whole Exam
Here are some general time management tips that will serve you well throughout both the reading and listening sections:
1. Skip and Return Strategy
If you’re stuck on a question, skip it and move on. But be sure to mark it so you can return to it later if you have time left.
2. Answer All Questions
There is no penalty for guessing in the TOEIC exam. Always mark an answer for every question — if time is almost up, take your best guess.
3. Use Process of Elimination
This is especially useful in both the listening and reading sections. Narrow down your options by eliminating clearly wrong answers, thus improving your chances of guessing correctly.
4. Set Milestones
Divide the test into manageable sections and set mini time limits for each part. For instance, finish all of Part 5 within 10-15 minutes. This way, you won’t be stressed about running out of time.
You can also explore more advanced tips on how to effortlessly improve your time management and TOEIC score by reading our detailed guide: how to boost TOEIC score like a pro.
Final Thoughts
Effective time management on the TOEIC exam is not just about speed, but also about strategy. By aligning time with difficulty, prioritizing simple questions, and making the most of preview time and guessing options, you can ensure that you complete the exam while maximizing your score potential.
Want additional strategies for TOEIC preparation? Be sure to read our curated advice on TOEIC preparation advice with real exam practice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much time do I have for each section of the TOEIC exam?
You are given 45 minutes for the Listening Section and 75 minutes for the Reading Section.
2. What should I do if I run out of time during the test?
Always guess! Since there is no penalty for wrong answers in the TOEIC, make sure to mark an answer for every question, even if you’re unsure.
3. How can I practice time management for the TOEIC exam effectively?
Take full-length practice exams under timed conditions. This will help you simulate the test environment and familiarize yourself with the pressure of working against the clock.
4. Can skipping hard questions help me save time during the TOEIC test?
Yes, if a question is too difficult or time-consuming, it’s best to skip it and return to it later. This prevents you from eating into the time needed for easier questions.
5. How can I improve my TOEIC reading speed?
Try skimming and scanning techniques for reading comprehension. Practice by reading English newspapers or online articles, and work actively on identifying keywords in the text.
