7 TOEFL Reading Tips to Boost Your Score Fast

Q: What’s the best way to use skimming and scanning to improve my TOEFL Reading score?

To make the most of skimming and scanning in the TOEFL Reading section, start by skimming the passage to get a quick grasp of the main idea. Pay close attention to titles, headings, and the first and last sentences of each paragraph. This strategy helps you get a general sense of the content without needing to read every single word. When it’s time to answer questions, switch to scanning . Look for specific details by identifying keywords or phrases from the question and locating them in the text. Keep an eye out for bold or italicized words, numbers, and proper nouns - they often point to key information. With practice, these techniques can save you valuable time and improve your accuracy on test day.

The TOEFL Reading section can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can improve your score. You'll face 3–4 passages, each about 700 words long, with just 20 minutes per passage. To succeed, you need to manage your time, understand academic vocabulary, and tackle various question types effectively. Here's a quick summary of the strategies:

Skim and Scan: Skim for main ideas and scan for specific details to save time.
Understand Question Types: Learn how to approach factual, inference, vocabulary, and summary questions.
Use Keywords: Identify and focus on key terms in questions and passages.
Active Reading: Summarize paragraphs and stay engaged to retain information.
Time Management: Allocate 18 minutes per passage, leaving time to review flagged questions.
Build Vocabulary: Study academic words and use context clues to understand unfamiliar terms.
Practice Regularly: Use mock tests to track progress and refine your strategies.

These tips will help you approach the TOEFL Reading section with confidence and improve both your speed and accuracy.

How to score 30/30 on the TOEFL Reading: 10 Crucial Tips

Use Skimming and Scanning Methods

Learning how to skim and scan effectively can save you time while keeping your reading accurate. These two techniques work together to help you navigate dense academic texts, leaving you more time to focus on tougher questions.

Let’s break down how each method tackles specific reading challenges.

How to Skim for Main Ideas

Skimming is all about quickly grasping the main points of a passage without diving into every detail. It helps you understand the central theme and structure, giving you a clear overview of where key information is located.

Start by carefully reading the title and the first paragraph. Then, skim through the topic sentences of each paragraph - these usually contain the main ideas and outline the argument of each section. Watch for transitional phrases like "however", "therefore", and "in conclusion", as they signal shifts in the argument or summarize key points.

Pay special attention to the first and last sentences of each paragraph. The opening sentence often introduces the main idea, while the closing sentence may summarize or lead into the next point. As you skim, mark important keywords such as dates, names, places, and technical terms that stand out as significant.

Scan for Keywords and Answers

While skimming gives you the big picture, scanning helps you pinpoint specific details. This method involves quickly moving your eyes over the text to locate precise information. To scan effectively, you need to know exactly what you're looking for before you begin.

Start by identifying the type of information required - whether it’s a name, date, or term - and use visual cues like bold text, numbers, or proper nouns to guide your search. Focus on one keyword at a time to avoid distractions. When you spot a keyword, read the surrounding text carefully to understand its context.

Begin scanning in the section you identified as most relevant during your skimming. If done right, skimming gives you a roadmap of where to look. When answering a question, use the question itself to identify keywords. Remember, synonyms and related terms can also lead you to the right information, so don’t limit yourself to exact matches. Always double-check the question to ensure the information you’ve found fits.

Focus on Key Sections

Not every part of a passage deserves equal attention. Skilled readers know how to prioritize sections that are likely to contain the most useful information. Titles and subheadings outline the structure of the text and preview its main ideas. Similarly, bold or italicized words often highlight important concepts or terms.

Pay close attention to the introduction and conclusion paragraphs. These sections typically summarize the author’s main arguments and final thoughts, tying together the passage's key themes. Topic sentences - usually the first sentence of a paragraph - introduce the main point, while concluding sentences wrap it up. Together, they provide a clear idea of each paragraph’s role in the overall argument.

When scanning for specific details, use a visual guide like your finger or a pointer to stay focused. This can be especially helpful when you’re working under time constraints and need to prevent your eyes from wandering.

"Skimming involves quickly getting the gist of a text while scanning focuses on finding specific information. Learn practical tips to master these techniques and improve your reading efficiency."

Akanksha Tripathi

Honing these skills will prepare you to tackle inference and analysis questions quickly, giving you a better chance to excel.

Learn Question Types and Active Reading

Understanding the types of questions in the TOEFL Reading section can help you apply the right strategies and improve your efficiency. As you've seen with skimming and scanning techniques, pinpointing key details is essential for tackling questions effectively.

Building on these skills, mastering question types and practicing active reading will make your approach even more efficient.

Common Question Types

The TOEFL Reading section includes 30 questions spread across 3 passages, and you’ll have 42 minutes to complete them. Knowing the question types in advance allows you to manage your time better.

Basic Information questions: These test your ability to identify facts directly stated in the passage. They include factual information and negative factual information questions, which ask you to determine what is not mentioned or true. Look for specific details like names, dates, or explicit statements to answer these questions.
Inference questions: These require you to read between the lines and draw conclusions based on implied information. Phrases like "What can be inferred..." or "The author suggests that..." are common in these questions. Often, you’ll need to connect ideas from different parts of the text.
Vocabulary questions: These focus on understanding the meaning of a word in context. The passage will highlight a specific word, and you’ll choose the best synonym or definition. Keep in mind that TOEFL questions frequently paraphrase information, so don’t expect exact wording from the text.
Reading to Learn questions: These more complex questions, like summary and fill-in-the-table tasks, test your ability to organize and synthesize information. They’re worth more points, but they require a solid grasp of the passage’s structure and main ideas.

Once you’re familiar with these question types, the next step is to use keywords effectively.

Use Keywords to Answer Questions

Keywords are your best tool for locating the right information quickly. Focus on verbs, nouns, and adjectives in the question. Proper nouns are especially helpful because they’re specific and easy to spot in the passage.

Highlight the key terms in the question, then scan the passage for those words or their synonyms. Work through one keyword at a time to avoid distractions and stay focused on what matters.

Here’s how this strategy works in practice. Consider a sample paraphrase question with the following keywords in the answer choices:

Choice 1: ceratopsian remains, lived, groups
Choice 2: individual herds, ceratopsians, discovered, bone beds
Choice 3: ceratopsians, all ages, genders lived, ate, slept, groups
Choice 4: individual ceratopsians differed, each other

Notice how the keywords summarize the main idea of each choice. Once you’ve identified these terms, scan the passage for similar concepts or synonyms. The TOEFL often rephrases ideas, so flexibility is key.

Pay attention to keywords in both the questions and answer choices to quickly locate the relevant information and avoid wasting time.

Read Actively for Better Memory

Active reading keeps you engaged and helps you retain more of what you read. It involves asking questions and making connections as you go.

After reading each paragraph, take a moment to summarize its main idea in a few words or a short phrase. This habit helps you understand the passage’s structure and makes it easier to find information later.

Identify key arguments or central concepts as you read. Ask yourself what the author is trying to explain or prove. Recognizing these themes will make it easier to answer inference and summary questions.

Highlight critical information that supports the passage’s main points or provides important context. Be selective - highlight only the most relevant details that tie back to the author’s main arguments.

Here’s a mental trick: before reading a paragraph, imagine you’re preparing to teach its content to a six-year-old. This forces you to focus on the essential ideas and avoid unnecessary complexity.

"Skimming involves quickly getting the gist of a text while scanning focuses on finding specific information. Learn practical tips to master these techniques and improve your reading efficiency." - Akanksha Tripathi

Manage Your Time Better

Mastering time management is key to success in the TOEFL Reading section. With the clock ticking, having a clear strategy can help you work efficiently and accurately.

Set Time Limits Per Passage

Plan to spend about 18 minutes on each passage, including reading and answering questions . Start by skimming the passage for 1–2 minutes, focusing on the title and the first sentence of each paragraph to get a sense of the structure and main ideas. Then tackle the 10 questions in order, referring back to the text as needed. Here's a general guideline for timing:

Simple questions: Spend about 60 seconds.
Detail and inference questions: Allow roughly 90 seconds.
Complex questions: Take up to 120 seconds.

Reserve the last 2–3 minutes to review any questions you've flagged. And remember - answer every question, even if you're unsure. There's no penalty for guessing . Adjust your pacing as you practice to match your strengths.

Choose Reading vs. Question-First Methods

Deciding whether to read the passage first or start with the questions depends on your personal style. Some test-takers prefer reading the entire passage to understand the context before diving into questions. Others find it more effective to look at the questions first, which helps them zero in on specific details while reading. A hybrid method often works well - skim the passage quickly to grasp its structure, then refer back to specific sections as you answer. Use practice sessions to experiment and find the approach that balances speed and comprehension for you.

Eliminate Wrong Answers Efficiently

Instead of fixating on finding the right answer immediately, focus on crossing out incorrect options. Watch out for subtle modifiers in the answer choices - a single word can completely change the meaning, a common trap known as the "modifier trap". For paraphrase questions, one choice might add unnecessary details, another might leave out crucial information, and a third could distort the original meaning. The correct option will include all key points in the correct order without altering the intent. If you're unsure, take an educated guess, mark the question for review, and move on. This approach saves time and keeps you moving through the section.

Build Vocabulary and Use Context Clues

Having a strong vocabulary can completely change how you understand academic texts. Studies show that knowing around 2,000 high-frequency academic words can help you understand about 90% of reading passages. But don’t worry - you don’t need to memorize thousands of words. Instead, focus on smart strategies to learn efficiently and figure out unfamiliar terms when it matters most. These techniques will work alongside your reading skills to help you understand complex texts more quickly.

Build Academic Vocabulary

The key to building vocabulary is learning words in context, not just memorizing their definitions.

"Effective vocabulary learning depends more on depth of processing than on sheer word count" - Nation & Webb

One way to do this is by using flashcards that include definitions, examples, and pronunciation tips. Apps like Anki and Quizlet make it easy to review words periodically, using spaced repetition to help you remember them just before you’re likely to forget.

Organize your vocabulary by themes. Instead of studying random lists, group words by topics like climate, economics, or technology. Pay attention to word families and collocations, too. For example, learning "analyze" can help you understand related terms like "analysis", "analytical", and "analytically", as well as phrases like "conduct an analysis."

Swap out simple words for more academic ones. For example, replace "big" with "substantial" or "get" with "obtain" to elevate your tone and sound more formal.

Lastly, make vocabulary building a daily habit. Spend 15–20 minutes a day on it instead of cramming in long sessions. This approach strengthens retention and helps you remember words over the long term.

Use Context Clues

Once you’ve built a solid vocabulary, context becomes your best friend for figuring out unfamiliar words during a test. If you come across a word you don’t know, reread the sentences before and after it. Authors often leave hints in the surrounding lines.

Here are some types of context clues to watch for:

Definition clues: The text defines the word directly (e.g., "The nation was undergoing urbanization – the movement of people into cities").
Synonym clues: The word is explained with a synonym (e.g., "Water soaks into the ground pores, or spaces, among the fragments of soil").
Contrast clues: The meaning is clarified through contrast (e.g., "Unlike a compound, an element cannot be broken down into simpler materials").
Example clues: Examples illustrate the word (e.g., "An example of mutualism is the pea crab and the mussel").
Description clues: The word is described in detail (e.g., "Pollination occurs when a pollen grain from a male plant lands on the stigma of a female plant").
Comparison clues: The word is compared to something familiar (e.g., "Light enters your eye through a pupil, which is like a small hole").

Another helpful trick is breaking down unfamiliar words into parts - prefixes, roots, and suffixes. Take "photosynthesis", for example: "photo" means light, and "synthesis" means putting together. Just make sure your guessed meaning fits the context of the passage.

Practice Vocabulary Exercises

Turning vocabulary practice into an active process will prepare you for test day. Try the "3 Descriptions" exercise: pick an object and describe it with one positive and one negative synonym. For instance, a knife could be "sharp" and "dangerous." This helps you see how word choice depends on context.

Another exercise is rewriting sentences with synonyms while keeping the original meaning intact. This mirrors the mental process you’ll use during the test.

You can also use AI tools to create sentences or quizzes with your target words. Just double-check definitions against official ETS materials to ensure accuracy. Activities like gap-fill exercises and sentence completions can also help you get used to TOEFL-style questions, sharpening your ability to pick words that fit both grammatically and semantically.

With regular practice, these strategies will deepen your vocabulary knowledge and improve your ability to use context clues - skills that can make a big difference on test day.

Use Practice Tools and Track Progress

Regularly taking full-length practice tests isn’t just about preparation - it’s about using data to your advantage. These tests quickly highlight your weak areas and guide you toward the sections that need the most attention. Over time, this method helps you measure your progress and refine your approach. Let’s break down how mock tests and progress tracking can transform your study routine.

Take Mock Tests for Real Practice

Mock tests are the ultimate preparation tool because they mirror the actual TOEFL experience. TOEFL Practice offers over 50 mock tests designed to replicate real test conditions. These tests familiarize you with the exam’s format, question types, and time limits, which can significantly reduce test-day nerves and help you perform at your best when it matters most.

To get the most out of these tests, create a distraction-free environment and stick to the test’s time constraints. This will help you build the stamina needed for the actual exam. Full-length practice tests also provide a realistic measure of your readiness and teach you how to manage your time effectively. Since the TOEFL is administered 30 to 40 times a year, you have scheduling flexibility, but it’s crucial to be fully prepared before test day.

One standout feature of TOEFL Practice is its AI-powered instant grading. This gives you immediate feedback, allowing you to adjust your study plan in real time and focus on areas that need improvement while they’re still fresh in your mind.

Track Progress with Data

Tracking your progress is what sets top test-takers apart. After each practice test, analyze your performance: What types of questions did you miss? How much time did you spend on each section? What strategies worked or didn’t work? Writing down these observations helps you refine your approach. For example, identifying why you got a question wrong - whether it’s misreading a passage, misunderstanding a question, or struggling with vocabulary - can lead to targeted improvements.

TOEFL Practice includes progress tracking features that reveal trends in your performance. You might notice, for instance, that inference questions are consistently tripping you up or that vocabulary-in-context questions take too long. When reviewing your answers, go back and redo the ones you got wrong to solidify the correct strategies.

The platform’s analytics also give you a clear picture of how you’re performing compared to your target score. Instead of guessing whether you’re improving, you’ll have concrete data showing progress across different question types and skills. This insight helps you adjust your study plan to focus on accuracy and consistency.

Create Regular Practice Sessions

Consistency is key when preparing for the TOEFL. With TOEFL Practice’s tools, you can dedicate 8–12 weeks to a structured study plan. The exact timeline depends on your current English skills and familiarity with the test, but a long-term approach generally yields the best results.

A solid plan might include one full-length practice test each week, supplemented by shorter sessions focusing on specific question types or skills on other days. This balance allows you to track improvement regularly while giving you time to work on weaker areas between tests.

TOEFL Practice simplifies the process with its user-friendly platform, offering materials for all sections - Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing - in one convenient place. This makes it easy to maintain consistent practice across all areas without wasting time navigating complicated menus.

As you continue practicing, you’ll naturally develop more efficient strategies for tackling the test. This ongoing refinement ensures that your study efforts translate into real score improvements when you sit for the exam.

Conclusion

These seven TOEFL Reading tips work together to create a solid game plan: skimming and scanning to navigate passages quickly, understanding question types to find precise answers, managing your time during the 42-minute test, expanding vocabulary using context clues, and using practice tools to track your progress.

The key to success is consistency. Top scorers dedicate time to regular practice, analyze their performance, and set clear goals to improve their results. This kind of focused preparation becomes even more effective when paired with a platform that replicates the actual test experience.

TOEFL Practice offers exactly that - realistic mock exams, instant AI-driven grading, and progress tracking to help you feel more confident and prepared on test day.

Your TOEFL score is more than just a number; it’s your ticket to opportunities at over 11,000 institutions across 150+ countries. A strong performance in the Reading section can significantly boost your overall score (ranging from 0 to 120 points) and open doors to graduate programs, career advancements, and even immigration possibilities. By mastering these strategies, you're not just preparing for a test - you’re building lasting skills in academic reading, expanding your vocabulary, and enhancing your ability to understand complex texts.

Start practicing today and take one step closer to achieving your global ambitions.

FAQs

What’s the best way to use skimming and scanning to improve my TOEFL Reading score?

To make the most of skimming and scanning in the TOEFL Reading section, start by skimming the passage to get a quick grasp of the main idea. Pay close attention to titles, headings, and the first and last sentences of each paragraph. This strategy helps you get a general sense of the content without needing to read every single word.

When it’s time to answer questions, switch to scanning. Look for specific details by identifying keywords or phrases from the question and locating them in the text. Keep an eye out for bold or italicized words, numbers, and proper nouns - they often point to key information. With practice, these techniques can save you valuable time and improve your accuracy on test day.

How can I manage my time effectively during the TOEFL Reading section?

To make the most of your time, begin by quickly skimming each passage to grasp the main idea before tackling the questions. Try to spend about 1.5 to 2 minutes per question, and if you hit a tough one, don’t dwell on it - mark it, move on, and circle back later.

Break your time into smaller, manageable chunks, like two 18-minute blocks, to keep yourself on track. Keep an eye on the clock as you go, and if you wrap up early, use that extra time to double-check your answers. Staying calm and focused throughout will help you perform at your best.

What’s the best way to build and remember academic vocabulary for the TOEFL Reading section?

To build and maintain a solid academic vocabulary for the TOEFL Reading section, consistency and active engagement are key. Dive into academic materials such as articles, essays, and research papers to familiarize yourself with advanced vocabulary in context. When you come across unfamiliar words, write them down, look up their definitions, and create vocabulary cards for regular review.

Flashcards and spaced repetition tools are excellent for strengthening your memory over time. Instead of simply memorizing translations, try using new words in sentences - this approach helps you grasp their meaning more thoroughly. Plus, focusing on topics that genuinely interest you can make the learning process both enjoyable and more effective.