When I decided to take the TOEIC, I was nervous but determined. English had always been part of my life, but I knew that the TOEIC was not just about knowing the language—it was about understanding how to use it in a professional context. I needed a plan, discipline, and the right strategies to succeed. Here’s my story of how I prepared for the test and achieved one of the highest scores.
The first thing I did was research what score I needed. The company I was applying to required a minimum score of 850, which is considered advanced (B2-C1 on the CEFR scale). I set my personal goal higher—900—because I wanted to challenge myself. This gave me a clear target and motivated me to work hard.
Before I even started studying, I took time to understand the TOEIC format. I learned that the Listening and Reading test was divided into four main parts:
Listening: Photographs, conversations, and short talks.
Reading: Sentence completion, text comprehension, and longer passages.
I realized that the test wasn’t just about knowing vocabulary or grammar but also about speed and accuracy. Time management would be critical.
I gave myself three months to prepare. My study schedule looked like this:
Weekdays: 1-2 hours per day focusing on one section at a time (e.g., Listening on Monday, Reading on Tuesday).
Weekends: 3-4 hours for full-length practice tests.
I also decided to use a mix of resources:
Official TOEIC Prep Books: For realistic practice.
Apps: For vocabulary drills and quick listening practice during breaks.
Podcasts and News: To improve my listening comprehension.
The Listening section was my biggest challenge because it required a lot of focus. I started by listening to TOEIC-specific audio tracks but quickly added real-life materials to make it more fun. I listened to:
BBC News: To get used to British accents.
Podcasts: Like “The Daily” for conversational American English.
YouTube Channels: Focused on business and workplace scenarios.
I practiced predicting answers by reading the questions before listening and focused on picking up key details like dates, numbers, and actions.
For the Reading section, I worked on speed and comprehension. I practiced with:
Articles from business magazines like Forbes.
Sample emails and reports from TOEIC prep books.
Grammar exercises to improve accuracy on sentence completion questions.
I also learned to skim and scan texts. Instead of reading every word, I trained myself to find the main ideas and locate specific details.
Vocabulary is critical for TOEIC success, so I made it a priority. I created flashcards for business-related words and reviewed them daily. For example:
Words like reschedule, confirm, deadline, and negotiation.
Phrases like “in response to” and “as per your request”.
I used these words in sentences to make sure I understood how to use them.
Every weekend, I took a full practice test under timed conditions. This was the most important part of my preparation because it helped me:
Get used to the test format.
Improve my stamina for the two-hour test.
Identify my weaknesses and focus on improving them.
After each test, I spent time reviewing my mistakes. I didn’t just note the correct answers; I analyzed why I got questions wrong and how to avoid the same mistakes.
In the last two weeks before the test, I focused on:
Reviewing mistakes from previous practice tests.
Polishing my listening skills by focusing on understanding fast conversations.
Practicing under pressure to simulate test day.
I also took time to relax and avoid burnout. A few days before the test, I stopped studying and focused on sleeping well and eating healthy to stay sharp.
Test Day
On the day of the test, I arrived early and stayed calm. I had a simple strategy:
For Listening: Focus and don’t overthink. If I missed an answer, I moved on quickly.
For Reading: Start with the easiest questions to save time for the harder ones.
My Results
A few weeks later, I received my results: 935 out of 990! I was thrilled. All the hard work, practice, and strategies had paid off. The high score opened doors for me, and I felt more confident in my English abilities.
My Key Takeaways
Consistency is key: Studying a little every day works better than cramming.
Practice tests are essential: They help you understand the test and improve your performance.
Focus on weak areas: Don’t ignore what you’re struggling with; face it head-on.
Stay calm: A positive mindset can make a big difference on test day.
Preparing for the TOEIC was a challenging but rewarding journey. It taught me not just about English but also about discipline, perseverance, and the value of setting clear goals. If I can do it, so can you!