TOEIC is an English proficiency test for non-native speakers to find out whether they can communicate well in English independently in a foreign country. While TOEFL and IELTS tests are aimed at students who want to do further studies in an English-speaking country, TOEIC is for business and employment. So, if you want to work or do business abroad, then you should take the TOEIC test. It has listening, reading, writing, and speaking sections. Though the test is quite easy, the test takers make some common mistakes that affect their test results. Here we will discuss these mistakes and learn how to avoid them.

Not being familiar with the test format

When preparing for the test, the first thing you should do is look at the format and register it in your head permanently. The test has two sections: Reading and listening. The question types of each section are different. If you are not familiar with the format before the test, you will waste a lot of time during the exam figuring out the solution to a question. To avoid this mistake you must do lots of practice tests. That way you will know what to expect at the test. The listening section has four parts: conversations, talks, photographs, and question-response.

Not giving importance to time management

You must remember that it is a time-based exam. You will get limited time to complete all your questions. The candidates often don't manage time properly during the exam and so end up not completing the questions. The worst part of this is that they often leave out questions whose answers they know. To avoid such mistakes you must do timed practice tests. Have a stopwatch ready and see how long it takes you to answer the questions. Remember that the Reading section has 100 questions which you must complete in 75 minutes. The listening section also has 100 questions which you must complete in 45 minutes. Practice completing each section within the allotted time.

Not improving vocabulary

Many candidates think that they have enough vocabulary in their store and so they don't need to improve it. They are thinking in the wrong direction. If you have a limited vocabulary then you won't understand many of the questions asked during the exam. This test covers diverse topics; so not knowing enough words can be a disaster. You must practice new words every day. When you come across a new word, don't just memorize it. Try to write it in a sentence so that you can easily recall the word later. You should learn the synonyms and antonyms. Using flashcards is a smart move toward learning new words.

Neglecting grammar

Though you won't have direct grammatical questions in this test, you must know the ins and outs of English grammar. The examiner will test your grammar skills when you answer the questions. You may end up giving wrong answers in the Reading section if you have poor grammatical knowledge. Before the exam, you should review the grammar rules from a good English grammar book.

Translating everything to the native language

Many people try to translate everything into their native language before answering any question. This process can be time-consuming and may lead to giving wrong answers. You must improve your English thinking skills so that you don't have to rely on translating.

Not practicing the listening section

You can get a lower score if you don't practice the listening section enough. You should listen to news, songs, and podcasts regularly before the exam to improve your listening skills. Remember that the accent can vary from person to person. You should be able to understand any accent. Instead of focusing on a few words you must look at the whole picture. That way you will find it easier to understand the context.

Giving random answers

As it's a multiple-choice test, many people tend to guess the answers, especially when there isn't much time left. But this strategy can lower your chances of getting the answer right. Instead of random guessing, you should use techniques like elimination strategies. If you have to guess, make an educated guess and not a random one. Look out for the main idea and focus on the purpose of the conversations.

Rushing into answers

Though there is a time limitation, you shouldn't rush into answers. You must take the time to answer and review them. Reviewing decreases the chance of giving wrong answers or missing out on answering any question.

Not properly reading instructions

No matter how many times you have done practice tests at home, you should read the questions carefully in the exam hall. Some questions ask you to write two answers, for example. So, if you don't read the instructions then you might miss out on answering a question properly.

Rushing through speaking and writing tests

In the TOEIC exam, the speaking and writing sections are given together. If you are sitting for the speaking test then don't rush to your answers. Take some time to understand the question and plan your answer. When answering questions in the writing section, focus on the opening, body, and closing of your content.

Be stressed before the exam

You shouldn't be stressed right before the exam. This will affect your performance and you will get a poor score. Try to sleep well the night before so that you have a clear head before you go to the exam hall. You should practice relaxing techniques to get rid of stress and anxiety. You can try doing yoga or meditation. Deep breathing exercises are also helpful. By knowing the common mistakes that people make when taking the TOEIC exam, you can increase your chance of getting a high score.

By remembering these tips you can avoid simple mistakes in the TOEIC exam. Remember that there will be questions whose answers you may not know. But by avoiding these mistakes you can ensure that you answer the known questions correctly.