Common Mistakes to Avoid in TOEFL Reading Section

The TOEFL iBT exam assesses the ability to comprehend and analyze academic texts in four sections. Many test-takers make a few common mistakes in the TOEFL Reading Section as they struggle with time management, understanding different question types, or interpreting the information effectively. 

In this blog, we’ll dive into some common mistakes to avoid in the TOEFL reading section while providing a few strategies and tips to ace the exam.

How are the questions asked in the TOEFL Reading Section?

There are different question types in the TOEFL Reading Section where it is important to analyse and understand the academic text. 

Below is the table which consists of different types of questions asked in the reading section.

As each question has its specific information to ask about, it is crucial to first recognise the type of the question before attempting to answer. Failure to do so could lead to confusion and errors. You can practice these types of questions so that you are familiar with the type and respond appropriately.

Common Mistakes in TOEFL Reading

As the TOEFL Reading Section requires you to comprehend, analyze, and interpret written texts in English, there are many common mistakes which candidates do. Below are some of these mistakes which you might make while answering the TOEFL Reading Section.

1. Skimming and Scanning

While attempting to answer the questions in the TOEFL Reading Section, you need to use skimming and scanning skills. However, if you use them incorrectly, it could affect your performance. Since skimming involves a quick reading technique to get the main ideas while skimming is to focus on the keywords. 

A common mistake which test-takers make is to skim too much which results in missing out on many important details which might be required to accurately answer the question. Also, the pace could also affect if you are reading very slowly, leaving very little to no time to answer.

2. Time Management Skills

Managing time efficiently is very crucial during the TOEFL exam, especially in the Reading Section. There are a few reading passages with ten questions for each of them. Therefore, it is important to not spend too much time on one question which might seem difficult. Many candidates run out of time as they focus too long on a single question and they are not able to attempt the remaining ones. Focusing too much on tricky questions for a long time leads to stress and you might end up rushing through the rest of the passage.

3. Context in Vocabulary questions

Many individuals make the mistake of finding out the definition of a word in vocabulary questions. This is because they neglect how the word functions in the specific context of the passage. In such questions, you might focus on just the dictionary definition but the meaning changes along with the surrounding in which the word has been used.

4. Attention to Paraphrasing

The questions in the TOEFL Reading test are paraphrased where the answer is expressed differently from the exact words used in the passage. A very common mistake among the test-takers is that they tend to match the wording rather than focusing on the main idea. You might end up selecting the wrong option as you are not considering the meaning of the passage rather focusing on the word itself. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the passage structure and how it is organised to locate information quickly and understand the context.

5. Failing to attempt practice tests

Many students do not attempt practice tests which is one of the most common mistakes which individuals make. These tests are designed to assess a test-taker in real time and they mimic the exact structure of the actual exam. Due to this, you might not be familiar with the structure and might find it difficult to attempt the exam on the actual test day.

Tips to overcome the common mistakes in TOEFL Reading Section

In order to overcome these challenges and avoid making these common mistakes in the TOEFL Reading Section, there are a few strategies you can incorporate.

• It is vital to balance skimming with focused reading. One must read the introduction, conclusion, and first and last sentences of each paragraph to get a sense of the structure and main points of the passage. However, for more detailed information, they must also refer to specific sections of the text when answering questions.
• Try to provide yourself with the time limit to read the passage and answer the questions simultaneously. You can practice using a stopwatch to manage your time more efficiently. If you find a question difficult, you can mark it and move on to the next one. You can return to the question later if you have time left. 
• Focus on the context of the sentence or the paragraph in the passage while answering. The meaning would differ depending on the surrounding words. Using this strategy would help in getting the right answer as these provide clues and the meaning could be understood easily. Since the questions are paraphrased, the information provided is what you must focus on to find the key idea in the passage.
• Get familiarised with the exam format and identify the structure of the passage. Since the TOEFL exam is in an academic setting, the passages would be based on academic topics. You need to have a clear understanding and comprehend the information more efficiently.

You can easily overcome the common mistakes to avoid in TOEFL Reading Section by practicing consistently, familiarising yourself with the question types, and developing time management skills. Doing so will help you build confidence and improve your reading speed and accuracy.