Time Management Tips for TOEFL iBT® Reading Section

Preparing for the TOEFL iBT®  reading section can be a ruffle, especially when it is a time constraint. You need to understand the structure and implement effective time management tips and strategies. 

In this article, we have covered the TOEFL reading section structure, Tips for Time Management, and Strategy to Answer TOEFL Reading Questions in less time.  

TOEFL Reading Section Structure

The TOEFL reading section is outlined to assess a test taker’s ability to understand and analyze academic texts. Here are the key components: 

• Duration: The reading section lasts 35 minutes.   

• Content: It includes 3 to 4 passages, each followed by a set of questions.   

• Questions: There are close to 12  to 4 questions per passage, totaling around 20 questions. 

• Scoring: The section is scored on a scale of 0 to 30, consisting of the overall score of the test, which ranges from 0 to 120 in all sections. 

For a deeper understanding of how the TOEFL reading section evaluates your critical thinking skills, check out our blog post on TOEFL Reading and Critical Thinking. 

10 Tips for Time Management in TOEFL Reading Section 

Tip 1: Understand the Test Format

You must understand the format of the TOEFL reading (read the above passage).  Once you understand the format, it can help you navigate it more efficiently.  

Tip 2: Practice with Timed Test Foundation 

Set a timer, keep practicing under timed conditions, and improve your pacing.  

Tip 3: Skim First, Then Read  

Quickly first skim the passage and get a general idea before jumping onto the reading details, this will help you navigate it more efficiently

Tip 4: Highlight and Focus on Key Information 

Underline or note important points, alongside reading, this will save you time when answering questions  

Tip 5: Follow a strategy to Answer 

Follow a strategy, start with questions that refer directly to the parts of the text before inference questions. Read on and find a customized strategy. 

Tip 6: Use the Process of elimination

Narrow down the answer choices by clearly eliminating incorrect options by increasing your chances of selecting the right answers even if you are unsure.  

Tip 7: Watch the Clock

 Keep a constant eye on the time and divide your time wisely across passages and questions. 

Tip 8: Don’t Dwell too much on Difficult Questions 

If a question is taking too long don’t dwell too much on it. Move on to the next and return to it later if time allows. 

Tip 9: Proofread your Answer 

If time permits, proofread your answer before submitting it. Make sure you haven’t overlooked any mistakes. 

Tip 10: Keep Calm & Stay Focused. 

Keep calm and maintain a positive mindset throughout the test; anxiety can be a hindrance to your performance and time management. 

For additional tips on overcoming challenges in the reading section, explore our article on Common TOEFL Reading Section Difficulties. 

Strategy to Answer TOEFL Reading Questions in Lesser Time 

• Understand the Question Types 

The TOEFL reading section has various types of questions such as detail questions, inference questions, and vocabulary questions. It is essential to familiarize yourself with the question types.   

• Skim the Passage First 

Before directly jumping into question, skim the passage first and get a general idea of its content and structure. 

• Identify Keywords

 As you read on, underline and highlight the keyword, this will help you find the relevant information in the passage easily.  

• Answer Questions with Ease 

While answering, Don’t Panic and start with questions that seem straightforward or directly take reference from specific passages. 

• Remove Wrong Answer Choices 

Utilize the process of elimination on multiple-choice questions. Eliminate the wrong answer choice and increase your chances of selecting the right answer

Bonus Point: Use TOEFL Speaking Test Materials

Use TOEFL preparation test materials that include practice test papers and strategies curated specifically for the reading section. For example, read our test papers- TOEFL Speaking Practice Tests as reliable study material. These resources can provide insights into common question types and effective answering techniques, further enhancing your time management skills during the exam. 

This was our article on how to manage time for the TOEFL reading section efficiently. By understanding the test format, implementing the test strategy, and using our test paper to practice, you can enhance your efficiency and confidence on the test day.  

Also Read: 

• TOEFL iBT® Reading Tips: How to Read Complex & Long Sentences  
• How to Tackle TOEFL iBT® Reading Sentence Insertion Questions 
• Examples of Signal Words in TOEFL iBT® Listening