When preparing for the TOEIC exam, intermediate learners often make similar mistakes that can prevent them from achieving their desired score. In this guide, we will identify some of the Common TOEIC Mistakes For Intermediate Level learners and provide practical tips on how to avoid them. By recognizing these errors and learning strategies to correct them, you will drastically improve your TOEIC performance.
1. Misunderstanding Question Instructions
One of the most common TOEIC mistakes is not fully understanding the instructions for each question type. Whether in the Reading or Listening section, this can lead to incorrect answers even if you know the content.
Tips to avoid this mistake:
- Carefully read the instructions before answering any questions.
- Pay attention to key words like “choose the best answer” or “mark all correct answers.”
- Practice with real TOEIC tests to familiarize yourself with the format. You can follow this step-by-step guide on how to ace the TOEIC test.
2. Over-focusing on Vocabulary Memorization
Many intermediate TOEIC learners believe that memorizing long lists of vocabulary will ensure success. While vocabulary is important, it’s not enough without understanding context and grammar.
Tips to avoid this mistake:
- Focus on learning vocabulary in context – it’s crucial to understand how words are used in sentences.
- Practice reading and listening exercises that include real-world vocabulary usage, such as newspapers, TED talks, and corporate reports.
- Create example sentences with new words to remember how to use them naturally.
3. Lack of Pronunciation and Listening Practice
Intermediate students often underestimate the importance of pronunciation and listening skills but struggle in the Listening section of the TOEIC. This happens because they focus mostly on grammar and reading comprehension, neglecting oral/aural skills.
Tips to avoid this mistake:
- Develop a habit of listening to native speakers in English daily through podcasts, movies, radio shows, and news broadcasts.
- Practice speaking and recording yourself to improve your pronunciation.
- Work with TOEIC listening exercises, and focus on identifying key words rather than trying to understand every single word.
- For example, in part 4 of the TOEIC Listening test, focus on main ideas, purpose, and specific details like dates or numbers.
Expert Tip:
“Many students misinterpret TOEIC Listening questions because they focus too much on understanding everything rather than key information. Narrow your focus and actively listen for key points.” — Nguyễn Văn Minh, TOEIC expert with 15 years of coaching.
4. Skimming, Not Scanning in Reading Section
Intermediate learners often use skimming techniques in the Reading section but fail to master the more effective scanning technique. Skimming provides only a general understanding, while scanning helps locate specific information faster.
Tips to avoid this mistake:
- Learn to scan for particular words and phrases in the passage that are related to the questions.
- Use the question as a starting point and locate the relevant section of the text without reading everything.
- Don’t be afraid to skip back and forth between the text and the questions to save time.
5. Ignoring Grammar in Sentence Completion Questions
For many intermediate learners, grammar is challenging, especially in the Sentence Completion section. They often overlook the importance of subject-verb agreement, verb tenses, and prepositions.
Tips to avoid this mistake:
- Review key TOEIC grammar points such as conditionals, relative clauses, and the differences between common tenses (e.g., past simple vs. present perfect).
- Pay attention to function words like conjunctions or prepositions, as they can give clues about the correct answer.
- Take regular grammar quizzes and mock tests to build your confidence and accuracy in sentence structure.
| Grammar Topic | Importance in TOEIC |
|---|---|
| Tenses (e.g., Simple vs. Perfect) | High |
| Comparative structures | Moderate |
| Articles (“a,” “an,” “the”) | High |
| Prepositions (in, on, at) | Moderate |
| Subject-verb agreement | High |
6. Underestimating Time Management
Even though TOEIC is not as fast-paced as some other English tests, time management remains one of the top challenges for intermediate test-takers. Students often spend too much time on difficult questions, leaving them no time for easier ones.
Tips to avoid this mistake:
- Set a time limit for each section based on your practice test results.
- Answer easier questions first to secure those points quickly, then come back to more difficult questions later.
- During practice tests, simulate the exam environment as closely as possible, including timing each section properly.
Expert Tip:
“Effective time management is key to succeeding in TOEIC. By practicing under timed conditions, you’ll develop a natural sense of timing and improve your ability to stay calm under pressure.” — Trần Thị Lan, TOEIC educator with over a decade of experience.
7. Not Reviewing Answers
Intermediate learners tend to rush through the test, finishing without reviewing their answers, which can lead to careless mistakes. Even just a small review can catch simple errors, as concentrations tend to drop after long periods of testing.
Tips to avoid this mistake:
- Always plan to spend the last 5-10 minutes reviewing as many answers as possible.
- Focus specifically on flagging questions you hesitated on or weren’t sure about, and double-check your answers in those sections.
- Stay composed and ensure that all answer sheets are filled in correctly without skipping numbers accidentally.
Conclusion
By being aware of these common TOEIC mistakes for intermediate level learners and implementing these strategies, you can target areas for improvement and boost your overall TOEIC score. Practicing under realistic conditions and staying consistent with your study plan are key elements to success. Ready to get started? Check out this step-by-step guide on how to ace the TOEIC test for more advice on your TOEIC journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How important is it to practice under timed conditions for the TOEIC?
Timed conditions are crucial for getting used to real exam pressure, especially in the Reading section where many intermediate students struggle with time management.
2. Can I improve my TOEIC listening skills by watching movies?
Yes, watching movies, especially with English subtitles, can help familiarize you with natural speech patterns, accents, and slang, all of which are useful for TOEIC Listening.
3. Do I need a large vocabulary to score well on TOEIC?
You don’t need a massive vocabulary but should focus on business-related and common conversational vocabulary that is frequently seen in TOEIC. Using words in context is more effective than just memorizing them.
4. How soon can I expect to improve my TOEIC score?
With consistent practice and the right strategies, most students see improvements within 1-3 months, depending on how often they study and the areas they focus on.
5. Should I focus more on reading or listening sections when preparing?
It depends on your current skills, but both are equally important. Many intermediate learners struggle more with Listening, as it requires real-time comprehension skills.
