A pencil on a multiple choice answer sheet, just like test day. Photo by Nguyen Dang Hoang Nhu on Unsplash
Many people in Bangkok need a TOEIC score for a new job, a promotion or a graduation requirement. The good news? TOEIC is a very predictable test. Once you know how it works, you can prepare in a smart way instead of just studying harder.
In this post we share 8 practical tips for the TOEIC Listening and Reading test. They are simple, they work, and you can start using them today.
First, a Quick Look at the Test
The TOEIC Listening and Reading test has 200 multiple choice questions in two sections:
- Listening: 100 questions in about 45 minutes. Part 1 Photographs, Part 2 Question and Response, Part 3 Conversations, Part 4 Talks.
- Reading: 100 questions in 75 minutes. Part 5 Incomplete Sentences, Part 6 Text Completion, Part 7 Reading Comprehension.
Everything is about work and daily life: meetings, emails, travel, shopping, schedules and announcements. That is why everyday business English helps so much.
Listening Tips
1. Read the questions before you hear the audio
In Parts 3 and 4, the questions are printed in your test book. Use every quiet second to read them first. When you know you are listening for a time, a place or a reason, the answer is much easier to catch.
2. Watch out for sound alike traps
In Part 2, a wrong answer often repeats a word you just heard, or uses a word that sounds similar. If someone asks "When is the meeting?" and an option says "In meeting room B", that is a trap. The question asks when, so look for a time.
3. Never get stuck on one question
The audio does not stop for you. If you miss an answer, make your best guess and move on right away. Worrying about one question can make you lose the next three.
4. Train your ear with different accents
TOEIC uses speakers from different English speaking countries. Listen to podcasts, news and YouTube videos with American, British, Australian and Canadian voices. Even 15 minutes a day on the BTS adds up quickly.
Reading Tips
5. Manage your time like a pro
Time is the biggest challenge in the Reading section. A good plan is to move fast through Parts 5 and 6 so you have plenty of time left for Part 7, which has the longest texts. Wear a watch and check it at each part.
6. Look at the blank first in Part 5
Many Part 5 questions test grammar, not meaning. Before reading the whole sentence, look at the four options. If they are forms of the same word, like decide, decision, decisive, decisively, you only need to find which part of speech fits the blank.
7. Skim, then scan
For Part 7, do not read every word slowly. Skim the text first to see what it is: an email, an ad, a notice or a chat. Then read the question and scan for the key information, such as a name, a date or a number.
8. Build a business word bank
Words like invoice, deadline, reschedule, branch, refund and applicant appear again and again. Keep a small notebook or phone list of new work words with one example sentence each, and review it a few times a week.
A Simple Weekly Study Plan
- Every day: 15 minutes of English listening and 10 new business words.
- Twice a week: one timed practice set for Listening or Reading.
- Once a week: check your mistakes and write down why you got each one wrong.
Small, regular practice beats one long weekend of cramming. Your brain needs time to get used to the speed and style of the test.
Want Help Reaching Your TOEIC Goal?
At Bubble Language School near BTS On Nut, our teachers help students prepare for TOEIC, IELTS and TOEFL in group, private, online and hybrid classes. We can help you understand your level and build a plan that fits your schedule.
If you would like to know more, just say hello. Message us on LINE Official @ibe_education, email admin@bubblelanguageschool.org, call 092 854 5564, or visit bubblelanguageschool.org. Good luck with your test!