Did you know…?
From July 2009 all TOEIC tests conducted in
Did you know…?
Research has shown that the top three factors in the success of TOEIC training are*:
ผลการวิจัยบ่งว่าปัจจัยด้านล่างต่อไปนี้เป็นสิ่งสำคัญ 3 อันดับต้นที่ทำให้การฝึกฝน TOEIC ประสบความสำเร็จ
- Trainees have external incentive to improve (increased salary, bonus, opportunity for promotion, etc)
ผู้เรียนมีแรงจูงใจจากภายนอกกระตุ้นทำให้พัฒนาปรับปรุง
- Discussions, presentations & role-plays are used in class
มีการใช้การอภิปราย สื่อนำเสนอและการแสดงสวมบทบาทภายในห้องเรียน
- Video & visual aids are used in class มี
การใช้วิดีโอและสื่อวีดิทัศน์ในห้องเรียน
Did you know…?
Statistics show small classes (<>not more effective than larger ones (10-20) in boosting TOEIC scores*. ห้องเรียนกลุ่มเล็กๆ นั้นไม่มีประสิทธิภาพมากกว่ากลุ่มใหญ่ในการเพิ่มคะแนน TOEIC อีกต่อไปใช่หรือไม่
* Based on research published by ETS (producer of the TOEIC test). For more details about this very interesting research contact Mr. Sean ( ฌอน) at sean@inlinguabangkok.com
(for printer-friendlyEnglish / Thai version in MS Word contact sean@inlinguabangkok.com)
- Set a goal
The first thing you should do is set a goal. Choose a goal that is achievable. If you aim too high, you will be disappointed. Remember, you can take the test as often as you want if you don't mind paying the fee. - Understand the test
Before you start studying for the test, make sure you understand the format of each section. You will be tested on your listening and reading comprehension skills. By doing model or practice tests, you will become very familiar with the TOEIC. The test should become "second nature" to you before you attempt the real thing. - Make a study plan
Procrastination is one of the key reasons students do poorly on the TOEIC test. The day you know that you will take the TOEIC test should be the day you start to study, not one month before the test date.
In order to get the best results, you should both study in a TOEIC skill-building class AND study by yourself. For TOEIC class, make sure that you trust your teacher and feel comfortable in his or her class. Take a class with a friend and make a commitment to study together in and outside of class.
Studying at the same time every day – even for just 30-60 minutes – is a great way to improve your score on your own. Write down your study plan and sign it! - Divide study time appropriately
The TOEIC is divided into seven sections. Each section is worth a certain number of points. Don't spend too much time studying one section. Many students make the mistake of studying the section that they enjoy the most. This is the section you should spend the least amount of time on.
You might want to divide your study week by focusing on a certain section each day. - Build a strong vocabulary
Another reason students do poorly on the TOEIC test is that they have a very limited vocabulary. The day you know that you will take the TOEIC test you should make yourself a vocabulary notebook (an address book works great because it is divided into letters of the alphabet, like a dictionary). Keep track of all of the new words you learn along the way (from your class, from your personal study, etc). It is not useful to study vocabulary lists. You will only remember words that you have seen in context. For each entry, write the word and use it in a sentence. At the end of each week you should write a short letter or composition using as many of the words as you can.
Keep in mind that the TOEIC test has a business theme. You should study vocabulary from topics such as travel, banking, health, restaurants, offices, etc. Luckily, these are the topics covered in many Business English course books. You will also want to learn everyday idiomatic expressions. - Isolate your weak points
As you begin studying for the TOEIC, you will find out which parts give you the most trouble. A diagnostic test at the beginning of your study program is an excellent way to identify specific weak points. You might want to change how you divide your time. There are certain grammar points that many students have trouble with. If you are taking a TOEIC class, ask your teacher to provide extra homework on problem areas. There may also be help on the Internet. For example, type "gerunds" into a search engine and you will probably find a useful exercise. - Eliminate distractors
In every TOEIC question, there are at least two distractors (wrong answers that may seem correct in order to trick you). There is also usually one answer choice that is clearly wrong. It is much easier to choose the correct answer when you have eliminated the ‘impossible’ answer choice plus at least one distractor. There are many types of distractors such as similar sounding words, words repeated from the question, etc. As you study, make sure you understand what distractors are and how they work. When you come across them you will be able to eliminate them more easily. - Trust your instincts
Sometimes an answer will jump out at you as either correct or incorrect. If you have been studying hard, chances are that your brain is telling you the right choice to pick. Don't change your answers after following your instinct. - Don't try to translate
Translating vocabulary and sentences wastes a lot of time. It is very rare that students have extra time during the TOEIC test. If you don't know a word, look at the context of the sentence and the words around it. You will not be allowed to use a dictionary when you take the test. - Guess as a last resort
On test day, if you don't know the answer, and you have eliminated all of the distractors you can, never leave the space blank! There is a good chance you will not have time to go back to this question. You still have a 25% chance of getting the answer right if you guess. If you have eliminated one or two of the answer choices, your guess is even more likely to be correct! - Be aware of time management
When you are doing practice tests, you should always be aware of the time. Never allow yourself an open ended study session. You will have to learn to work efficiently.
On test day, you should be especially careful in the - Listen quickly
When you are studying for the TOEIC test, do not get in the habit of replaying the recordings. On test day you won't have any control over the speed of the listening section. You will not even have time to think for very long between questions. Make sure that you do not get behind during the real test. If you do not know the answer, take your best guess. Then continue to follow along. Don't look back at questions when you are waiting for another question to start. - Practise reading aloud
- Use mass media
One of the best ways to prepare for the TOEIC test is to study real English. Watch television, listen to radio reports, and read newspapers and magazines. Pay special attention to ads, letters, weather and traffic reports, coupons, and special announcements. If you are studying with a friend, you can ask each other questions. This is a great way to practice your wh-questions. - Use web sites (free & pay sites)
There are many web sites that offer model tests and samples. Type TOEIC into your search engine and start practising! (Inlingua can also arrange a personalized online TOEIC preparation program for you that will record your results and show your progress – please contact your training consultant for details). Surfing the web is a great way to practise your reading and listening. If you are interested in a certain topic, such as snowboarding, type that into a search engine. You might want to reserve some time every day for Internet studying. Just make sure to study English, and don't get caught wasting time playing games! - Ask questions
Never hesitate to ask lots of questions. In a TOEIC class, all of the students will benefit from your question. If you don't understand something, such as conditionals, you may lose ten points on a TOEIC exam. And don’t only ask your teacher…sometimes other students can help you with a grammar problem even better than a teacher. - Manage your stress
If you are feeling stressed about taking the TOEIC you may be studying too hard or expecting too much of yourself. Like everything else in life, balance is the key. Remind yourself that you will try to do your best. Before the test, take deep breaths and remember that you can always improve your score in a few months time. - Don't cram
You should never cram (study extremely hard in a short period of time) the night or even week before the TOEIC test. There is so much to learn when you study the TOEIC. The last week should be for reviewing and practising rather than learning new things. Make sure to get plenty of sleep the night before the test. On the day of the test, have a good meal and relax for a few hours before going to the testing centre. Plan to reward yourself when the test is over!
