Managing time during the TOEIC exam can be tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with the test format or haven’t developed strong time management skills. In this article, we’ll guide you through How To Manage Time In TOEIC With Real Exam Practice, providing you with practical strategies and step-by-step methods to improve your efficiency and ensure you perform at your best.
Why Time Management is Important in TOEIC
Before diving into specific strategies, let’s first understand why managing time is so crucial during the TOEIC exam. TOEIC tests not only your language skills but also your ability to work under pressure. There are 200 questions in total — 100 questions in the Listening section and 100 in the Reading section — which you need to complete within a limited time frame. Without the right approach, it’s easy to lose track of time and miss out on answering questions, limiting your score potential.
Key Time Management Tips for the TOEIC Exam
1. Familiarize Yourself with the Test Format
One of the top time management strategies is to know the test format thoroughly. Breaking the exam into sections gives you a clear idea of how much time you need to allocate to each part:
| Section | Number of Questions | Time Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 100 questions | 45 minutes |
| Reading | 100 questions | 75 minutes |
By allocating appropriate time for each question, you will avoid getting overwhelmed during the exam.
2. Use Real TOEIC Practice Tests
Phan Tuan Anh, a TOEIC training expert, emphasizes the importance of using real exam environments to help students refine their time management. “Practicing with real TOEIC tests is the closest you can get to the actual exam, helping you simulate the pressure and adjust your timing strategy effectively,” he explains.
Try practicing with full-length TOEIC tests to get accurate feedback on how long you spend on various sections. This can help you consistently monitor your pace and identify areas where you tend to take too much time.
3. Time Allotment per Question
In the actual TOEIC exam, it’s vital to stick to strict time limits for each question. Below is a rough guide to how much time you should spend on each section:
-
Listening Section:
- Part 1 (Photographs): ~15 seconds per question
- Part 2 (Question-Response): ~5 seconds to listen, 2-3 seconds to respond
- Part 3 & 4 (Conversations and Talks): ~8-10 seconds for each question after listening
-
Reading Section:
- Part 5 (Sentence Completion): ~30 seconds per question
- Part 6 (Text Completion): ~45 seconds per question
- Part 7 (Reading Comprehension): ~1-1.5 minutes per question, depending on the passage length
If you struggle to finish within these time frames, make sure to adjust your practice accordingly.
4. Prioritize Easier Questions
During the Reading section, efficient test-takers often use a technique called “skipping and skimming.” For instance, if you encounter a particularly challenging question, skip it and move on to questions you can answer quickly. You can always return to tougher questions once you’ve maximized your score by answering easier ones first. This ensures you’re not wasting precious time.
Moreover, regularly practicing how to skip challenging questions trains your brain to quickly identify easier ones, saving you valuable time for the more difficult sections of the exam. Check out our guide on methods to excel in TOEIC with real exam practice for more in-depth strategies.
5. Use the Process of Elimination
When faced with difficult multiple-choice questions, employ the process of elimination as a time-saving tactic. By eliminating clearly wrong answers first, you increase your chances of quickly determining the correct choice. This method is especially handy in tricky parts such as Reading Comprehension and Text Completion.
6. Implement the Pomodoro Technique
“If you’re struggling with pacing, one technique that can help is the Pomodoro method,” suggests Nguyen Minh, a TOEIC tutor in Hanoi. The Pomodoro Technique involves working in focused bursts of 25 minutes, followed by a short break. This strategy can be useful during your practice sessions, helping you to focus intently while also fitting in time management within a smaller time frame.
For example, when you practice your reading comprehension skills, try dividing your time into 25-minute segments where you answer as many questions as possible. Over time, this will boost both your focus and time management in the actual TOEIC exam.
7. Practice Mindfulness and Focus
Some test-takers spend too much time on one question without even realizing it. If you often find yourself stuck on a single question for too long, learning mindfulness techniques can help. Being self-aware during the exam helps you recognize when you’ve spent too much time on one question, enabling you to move on without hesitation.
Mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing or visualization exercises, can help reduce anxiety and increase your accuracy under timed conditions.
Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering Time Management in TOEIC
- Take a baseline TOEIC practice test to see how you naturally pace yourself.
- Analyze your timing: Identify which sections you tend to spend the most time on.
- Set specific time goals for each section, using our recommended time-per-question guidelines.
- Regularly practice full mock exams, simulating actual exam environments.
- Track your progress with detailed timing data to understand which parts are improving and where you still need adjustment.
- Apply advanced skimming and elimination techniques in the Reading section.
- Assess your performance after each practice exam and refine your strategies accordingly.
Conclusion
Mastering how to manage time in TOEIC with real exam practice is all about improving both your language skills and your time allocation strategies. By practicing consistently with time limits and learning to prioritize, you will gain the confidence to complete the exam efficiently, boosting your chances of reaching your target score. Remember, combining test familiarity with practical methods like the process of elimination and the Pomodoro Technique will give you the edge needed in a high-pressure TOEIC examination.
Looking for more advanced strategies? Explore our tips in effective techniques for TOEIC like a pro or if you’re targeting a high score within a month, check out methods to excel in TOEIC in a month.
FAQ
1. How much time should I spend on each part of the TOEIC Reading section?
In general, aim to spend around 30 seconds for Part 5, 45 seconds for Part 6, and 1-1.5 minutes per question in Part 7. This allows you to complete all questions efficiently.
2. What should I do if I don’t finish the listening section in time?
If you find yourself struggling to keep up, focus on answering easy questions in the beginning, and practice actively listening for keywords to avoid getting overwhelmed.
3. How many practice tests should I take before the TOEIC exam?
It’s recommended to take at least 2-3 full-length TOEIC practice tests under real exam conditions to properly adjust your pacing and time management skills.
4. Are there any specific sections of TOEIC that tend to consume more time?
Yes, many test-takers report that Part 7 in the Reading section (especially double passages) tends to consume more time due to the sheer length of the texts. Develop a skimming technique to tackle this part effectively.
5. Is it okay to skip questions in TOEIC and return later?
Absolutely. Skipping tougher questions and coming back to them once you’ve completed easier ones is a vital strategy for managing time effectively during the exam.
