What’s the Easiest Part of TOEFL iBT® and How to Max It Out?

Getting ready for the TOEFL? You don’t have to feel stressed about every section. Most test takers find that one part of the test actually feels more comfortable than the rest. If you’ve been wondering what’s the easiest part of TOEFL, you're on the right track. Recognizing your strengths can give you a real advantage. Let’s explore how to make the most of it. With the right focus, even a familiar section can become your highest-scoring one. Small shifts in strategy can lead to big results.

What’s the Easiest Part of TOEFL and How to Max It Out?

For many test takers, the Reading section turns out to be the easiest part of TOEFL. It’s predictable, text-based, and gives you time to think. Here’s how to make the most of that advantage and turn a simple strength into a scoring edge: 

1. Read with a Clear Purpose: 

Instead of reading the entire passage before looking at the questions, train yourself to read based on what the question asks. This saves time and directs your attention to the most relevant parts.

For example, if a question says, "According to paragraph 3, what did the researcher conclude?", go straight to that paragraph. Focus only on the information around the keyword "researcher" and avoid getting lost in unrelated lines.

When you learn to read selectively, your accuracy improves and so does your speed.

2. Practice Skimming and Scanning the Right Way: 

Skimming means reading quickly to get the general idea. Scanning is locating specific information. Both are key to succeeding in the Reading section of the TOEFL.

Start each passage by skimming the introduction and the first sentence of every paragraph. This gives you a mental map of the passage. When answering questions, scan for keywords rather than rereading large sections.

For instance, if a question asks about the main idea, your skimming at the start will help. If the question asks about a detail, scanning for a phrase or number from the question will guide you to the answer.

3. Use Context to Tackle Vocabulary Questions: 

Even if you don’t know a word, the sentence around it often gives strong hints. TOEFL doesn't ask you to define a word on its own. Instead, it tests your ability to understand it in context.

Suppose a sentence reads, "The intense drought caused the river to completely dry up, leaving a barren landscape." If you’re asked about the word "barren," nearby words like "dry up" and "landscape" help you figure out that it probably means empty or lifeless.

Practice recognizing these clues so you don’t waste time memorizing rare words.

4. Understand the Passage Structure: 

TOEFL passages usually follow a clear structure: introduction, main idea, supporting examples, and conclusion. If you can identify this structure early on, it becomes easier to locate answers quickly.

This helps especially with summary and sentence insertion questions. These questions check how well you understand the passage as a whole, not just line-by-line detail.

For example, if the passage starts by introducing a problem and ends with proposed solutions, you’ll know where to look when the question asks about the author’s intention or overall tone.

5. Eliminate Before You Choose: 

Instead of jumping straight to what seems correct, start by removing answers that are clearly wrong. This is one of the most effective strategies for the TOEFL Reading section.

Often, TOEFL gives you answer choices that sound similar. Some include extreme words like "always" or "never," which are rarely correct unless the passage clearly supports them. Others may be true in general, but not in the specific context of the question.

By narrowing your choices to two or even one, you reduce doubt and improve accuracy even if you're unsure at first.

6. Take Timed Practice Seriously: 

Many students read well in practice but struggle under time limits. To make the most of the easiest part of TOEFL, get used to working within the real test conditions.

Set a timer for 54 minutes and complete three passages without pausing. Afterward, review every answer, especially the ones you got wrong. Focus not just on what the correct answer was but why your choice was off.

This kind of review builds both speed and insight over time.

7. Develop Strong Daily Reading Habits: 

One way to keep improving even outside TOEFL prep is to read more academic-style English content daily. This keeps you comfortable with the language, sentence structures, and topic complexity often found in the test.

Sources like National Geographic, BBC Future, or scientific articles are great practice. Aim for 15 minutes a day. It adds up quickly, and you’ll find yourself reading more confidently and naturally.

The easiest part of TOEFL is your opportunity to shine. Even if it feels manageable, don’t overlook its potential to push your overall score higher. With smart reading strategies, focused practice, and the right mindset, you can turn this section into your strength.

Additional Resources:

• TOEFL Reading Tips: How to Read Complex & Long Sentences
• Is 25 a Good TOEFL Reading Score?
• How to Answer TOEFL Exam Reading Fill in a Table Questions
• Time Management Tips for TOEFL Reading Section
• Common TOEFL Reading Section Difficulties
• How to Answer TOEFL Reading Sentence Insertion Questions