5 tips for passing the TOEIC "Listening" section

The Listening section of the TOEIC is a dreaded test for those who are less comfortable speaking. It also requires a strong capacity for concentration. The test lasts 45 minutes , you can neither stop the soundtrack nor rewind.

To learn more about the format of this section: “Everything you need to know about the TOEIC listening section” .

Tip #1: Stay in time with the soundtrack

The questions come quickly, the test is long, and the question types are limited. It's therefore very easy to lose focus. On the other hand, you'll often find yourself deciding between several answer choices and run out of time to answer. When a new question is announced and you haven't answered the previous one yet, answer randomly and focus on the next question. Don't try to go back.

Remember to answer all questions, even if you have to answer randomly (try to eliminate some answer choices anyway). There are no negative points on the TOEIC. Furthermore, leaving blank spaces may create a gap in the answer grid.

Tip #2: Get ahead of the soundtrack and anticipate possible responses

While the narrator repeats the instructions for a section (these are always the same from one test to the next), you must focus on the upcoming question. Similarly, as soon as you have answered a question, you must prepare the next question (hence the importance of answering quickly).

Except for Part 2, this preparation time can be very useful. For Part 1, you can look at the photograph and imagine sentences describing the image. This will make it easier to identify the correct answer. For Parts 3 and 4, reading the questions before listening to the dialogue or monologue is very useful. This provides you with background information, which makes it easier to understand the passage. It also allows you to focus your attention on the details of the soundtrack that you will need to answer the questions correctly. For example, if you are asked "what time does the train leave?", you will try to remember this information while listening.

Finally, finishing each question before the allotted time allows you to stay in step with the soundtrack and avoid a potential stress-inducing disconnect.

Tip #3: Improve your TOEIC vocabulary

THE TOEIC is a repetitive test. Mastering the vocabulary specific to the TOEIC will help you a lot.

For Part 1, you must master:

• Prepositions of place
• Verbs of movement (they will be used in the continuous form "be + -ing")

For parts 3 and 4, certain themes are recurring such as:

• Making an appointment
• The weather forecast
• Business travel for a seminar or conference
• Business communication
• Trade

Tip #4: Know the typical questions in Part 2

Part 2 is easy to cram, there are a limited number of concepts tested and the same pitfalls come up several times during the same test.

• Yes/No questions . These are closed-ended questions that require a yes or no answer. e.g., "Did you drop off the package at the post office?" Be careful, the answer to this type of question does not always contain the word "Yes" or "No." There are many traps. You could very well answer "I dropped off the package this morning." The designer often includes trap answers like "Yes, I went to see my grandmother."
• Open questions . These are questions that begin with an interrogative pronoun such as "what / where / when / how long / how many / how much ...". You should therefore focus on the first word of the question, which tells you whether the answer is a thing, a place, a date, etc.
• Questions ending with a tag . Examples: ..., isn't it, didn't he, etc. You must choose the only grammatically correct answer with the correct tenses and the correct personal pronoun.
• Affirmations . These questions are handled in the same way as "Yes/No" questions.

Tip #5: Get your ear used to it

There's no secret: to understand English, you must first listen to it. We recommend watching all your TV series and movies in English without English subtitles.

The lack of subtitles will force you to use your ear and context to understand the words you don't understand. The first few hours of watching movies without subtitles can be frustrating, so stick with it because progress is rapid with this method.