37 Things You Wish You Knew About a High Score for TOEIC® Speaking-Writing

By Winn Trivette, MA

Don't fear the TOEIC Speaking – Writing test!

Now you have these 37 recommendations that will improve both your TOEIC and English skills before the exam.

Get helpful test tips that only a veteran TOEIC teacher can give.

Learn the same advice he gives his own students.

Use these precise suggestions for every Speaking and Writing question to ramp up your test score.

Precisely, sharpen your skills by:

• avoiding 5 common mistakes
• sidestepping 9 confusing English terms
• learning 9 collocation, idioms, and phrasal verbs to increase your score.

Use this convenient eText to study for the high score on the exam that you seek – and deserve!

Plus, sign up for Teacher Winn's TOEIC SW email blog for more practice to extend your learning so you are better prepared for success on exam day!

Get 37 Things You Wish You Knew About a High Score for TOEIC Speaking-Writing and prepare for the test with the confidence you need!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Winn Trivette II, MA
• Release date: Jul 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201610005

Book preview

Chapter 1: Assess your level of English fluency.

How strong are your English skills?

You need a very high level of English fluency and TOEIC SW skills to nab an optimal score on the exam!

The first step you should take to prepare for the TOEIC SW exam is to know your beginning level of English.

Why? Your English level now determines how long it will take you to be ready to present the exam.

If your English is not at a sufficient level to even contemplate success on the test, it is better to first strengthen your language skills and prepare for the TOEIC SW second.

English fluency for the exam just does not center on your gift for speaking the language without hesitation.

Fluency for the TOEIC graders means you can also write well (under pressure) and read academic texts and understand college-level audio.

Plus, you need a strong vocabulary and good grammar to achieve the highest score possible.

The TOEIC SW is an expensive test.

Save your cash and first get your English Skills and Fluency rating.

Know your English and TOEIC level now – not later!

Chapter 2: Prepare 3 months ahead of the test date

The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.

― H. Jackson Brown Jr.

You’ve decided to take the TOEIC SW exam. Great!

Register for your TOEIC exam on a date three months from the time you begin your test preparation.

When you have a test date, you will have more focus and purpose to your preparation.

It is no longer an academic pursuit, but a real commitment!

Take at least three months to prepare for success on exam day.

From my own experience – over a decade – of preparing students for the exam, three months (classes of 3 hours a week – at least) is sufficient to take both your English and TOEIC SW skills up a notch.

Take your time to build up both your English and TOEIC test-taking skills.

In three months, focusing on the test allows you the time to build both your English and TOEIC skills.

I always tell my students: TOEIC SW success is ½ TOEIC skills and ½ English skills.

Depending on your self-assessment (or with a veteran English instructor), you need time to strengthen your test specific skills and your overall language skills before attempting the exam.

Plan your study prep time wisely to efficiently maximize your readiness on exam day.

You learn about a proposed study plan in the next chapter.

Chapter 3: Personalize your study plan.

You have one, right?

By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail. - Benjamin Franklin.

Do you have a study plan to get the highest score possible on the TOEIC exam?

How much time do you have free every day?

Yes, every day.

Remember, preparing for the exam is like training for a marathon.

Take every opportunity to study for the exam. Don’t wait.

If that means getting up early on a weekend, make sure you take advantage of opportunities to squeeze in extra time!

TOEIC Study Plan – Speaking Section

First, know the speaking criteria. Just how will you be graded?

Like in the writing section criteria, answering the question is the number one requirement. That’s logical, isn’t it?

Check out Chapter 32 – How TOEIC Scores Your Speaking Exam.

Second, time management is crucial. 

Time passes quickly when you are fumbling to communicate your thoughts and ideas!

Thankfully, ETS who produces the TOEIC exam increased the preparation time to describe the picture in Question 3 to 45 seconds from 30.

Find out about all of the speaking time changes.

Third, be aware of how to answer each TOEIC Speaking Question.

In my preparation classes with students, I help them to precisely focus on the exact answer needed to score the highest points possible.

You must be fully prepared to use the now-allowed scratch sheet paper available from test proctors to help you tackle the TOEIC Speaking Section.

Fourth, when you practice answering the speaking questions at home (preferably with a friend!), make sure to use your smartphone or tablet to record yourself.

Many students are nervous about speaking English – for a grade!

However, you can overcome that fear by recording your voice during your text prep!

TOEIC Study Plan – Writing Section

The two skills where my own students admit their shortcoming are speaking and writing.

Difficulty in speaking often arises from the lack of confidence and organization of ideas.

Problems with writing stem from the poor practice received in too many ESL classes around the world.

Well, that stops today!

While I do suggest working with a college-educated native English speaker to review your writing practice, there are some steps you can take.

First, as with the speaking questions, it is important to know the criteria for the TOEIC