What does TOEIC Reading assess?
According to ETS, the section tests your understanding of written English: you read a range of documents and answer 100 questions about their content at your own pace. Candidate guide, paper test (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
The documents come from the workplace. ETS says they rarely include long narratives and are mostly letters, memos, and other short texts, which the test reflects. It avoids rare or highly technical vocabulary, though the words and structures in Reading are more difficult than those in Listening. Score User Guide, formats standard and MSA (opens in a new tab)
In the score
Scored from 5 to 495 based on the number of correct answers; the Listening score is added for a total score from 10 to 990. Candidate guide, paper test (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
The score calculation, in the TOEIC guideWhat does the Reading section look like?
Three parts, numbered 5 through 7 after the four Listening parts, and four answer choices (A through D) per question. There is no recording to set the pace here: you manage the 75 minutes yourself. Candidate guide, paper test (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Part 530 incomplete sentences, each with one blank
- Part 616 blanks across incomplete texts
- Part 7, single passages29 questions on 10 individual passages, with two to four questions each
- Part 7, multiple passages25 questions on five sets of two or three passages, with five per set
The distribution of the 100 questions, according to ETS. Score User Guide, formats standard and MSA (opens in a new tab)
In France, ETS Global’s public test sessions are computer-based at a test center, on a computer or tablet. Find a session (opens in a new tab)
No scratch paper, no annotations
In the paper format described by ETS, no paper is allowed in the room, and you cannot underline or annotate the test booklet; only answers marked on the answer sheet count. Candidate guide, paper test (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
Part 5: Incomplete Sentences, complete the sentence
30 sentences, each with a missing word or phrase and four answer choices. Candidate guide, paper test (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
The method
- Read the whole sentence, then look at what surrounds the blank.
- Compare the four choices: different forms of the same word call for grammar; different words call for meaning.
- Answer quickly: time saved here can go to the passages in Part 7.
The pitfall Translating word for word from French. A literal translation may sound right but be wrong: “for six years” calls for a present perfect in English, unlike the French present tense.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
Correct answer: B — has managed.
The method in action
- The four choices are forms of the same verb, so grammar decides.
- Here, “for six years” and the context describe an activity that began in the past and continues now: among the choices, the present perfect “has managed” fits.
- “Manages” is a literal translation of “has managed for six years”; “is managing” also fails to express something lasting six years; “managing” is not a conjugated verb. Answer: B.
Key takeaways
For an activity that began in the past and continues in the present, use the present perfect, simple or continuous depending on context; “for” indicates a duration and “since” a starting point.
Part 6: Text Completion, complete the text
16 questions on incomplete texts: a word, phrase, or entire sentence may be missing, with four answer choices. Complete the passage, not just the sentence. Candidate guide, paper test (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
The method
- Read the whole text, not just the sentence with the blank.
- Look elsewhere in the text for the clue that settles it: a date, a verb tense, a repeated word.
- Check that the choice fits both the sentence and the passage.
The pitfall Choosing what fits in the sentence alone. Several choices often fit; only the rest of the text singles one out.
An email
Dear colleagues,
Our payroll portal is being moved to a new server next weekend. From 6:00 P.M. on Friday until 8:00 A.M. on Monday, the portal (1) unavailable. During that time, September payslips can still be requested from the HR office by e-mail.
Thank you for your understanding.
Human Resources
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
Correct answer: C — will be.
The method in action
- First, read the whole passage: the migration takes place “next weekend,” from Friday evening to Monday morning. Everything it describes is in the future.
- In the sentence alone, “was” and “has been” could also fit; “next weekend” rules them out. “Being” is not a conjugated verb.
- The portal will be unavailable during the migration: “will be” fits both the sentence and the passage. Answer: C.
Key takeaways
In Part 6, the sentence with the blank is not always enough: the clue is often elsewhere in the text.
Part 7: Reading Comprehension, one passage or several
A range of texts—newspaper or magazine articles, emails, and instant messages—each followed by several questions: 29 questions on 10 individual passages, then 25 on five sets of two or three passages. Candidate guide, paper test (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
The method
- Read the question before the text, so you know what to look for.
- Find and reread the passage that answers the question; in a set, first identify what each text contributes.
- Choose the answer supported by the passage, whether it repeats its words or paraphrases them.
The pitfall Choosing an answer because it repeats a word from the passage. Also check the actor, condition, and meaning: a shared word is not enough to prove the answer.
A notice
Notice to all tenants of Harbour View Business Centre
The main entrance on Quay Street will be closed from 12 to 16 May while new automatic doors are installed. During this period, please use the side entrance on Mill Lane, which will remain open from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Deliveries should be directed to the loading bay at the rear of the building, as usual.
Tenants who need access outside these hours should contact the security desk at extension 214 at least one day in advance.
One of the questions about this text
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
Correct answer: B — Notify security staff ahead of time.
The method in action
- Read before the passage, the question tells you what to look for: what people who stay late—beyond the regular hours—are asked to do.
- The last paragraph is aimed at them: “contact the security desk … at least one day in advance.”
- B says it in different words: “notify” for “contact” and “ahead of time” for “at least one day in advance.” Answer: B. D repeats when the side entrance closes, but the notice does not ask anyone to leave.
Key takeaways
A paraphrase must preserve the passage’s meaning. Evidence matters more than shared words or synonyms.
How much time do I have per Reading question?
Average per question
45 sec
75 minutes ÷ 100 questions, according to ETS figures
You manage the average yourself: ETS advises monitoring your time throughout Reading, working quickly, and returning later to a question you cannot answer. A Part 5 sentence can often be answered quickly; one Part 7 passage supports several questions, so leave time for it. Candidate guide, paper test (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
Listening, by contrast, follows the recording’s pace: about 45 minutes for 100 questions, with no replay. The section guide Listening
Errors and blank answers
No penalty: leaving an answer blank does not protect your score. Your score depends on the number of correct answers; ETS says there is no penalty for guessing and recommends answering as many questions as possible within the allotted time. Candidate guide, paper test (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
The score calculation, in the TOEIC guideWhich path should you follow based on the errors you notice?
Do not choose your next session based only on the number of errors. Try a few questions again without a timer or answer key. An error that persists points to a comprehension gap; an answer you can recover right away may point to time management or attention.
- Part of speech or agreementIdentify the grammatical role around the blank, then compare the answer forms before translating the whole sentence.
- Verb tenseReconstruct the timeline and its connection to the present instead of matching a signal word to a tense automatically.
- Text completionLook elsewhere in the message for a date, pronoun, or logical relationship; check both sides of a sentence you need to insert.
- Multiple documentsIdentify the role of each document, then connect the two pieces of evidence needed to answer.
- Not enough timeTrack your progress and unnecessary hesitation before changing the time you allot to each part.
The Part 5 practice set adds a new batch of sentences and groups errors by grammar, word combinations, and meaning. TOEIC Part 5: Choose Between Grammar, Meaning, and Word Form
The Part 6 practice set includes two complete messages, with both local blanks and decisions that depend on the paragraph as a whole. TOEIC Part 6: Complete a Passage by Following Its Logic
The Part 7 practice set asks you to combine availability, schedules, and instructions in two practice scenarios. TOEIC Part 7: Cross-Reference Documents and Find the Evidence
The practice sets offer Upsilar exercises separate from the examples in this guide. Some items also appear in the 200-question bank, so you may recognize them if you have already completed the practice sets.
How can you turn an explanation into measurable progress?
For a sentence, note the decisive clue and explain why your choice does not fit. For a document, find the exact evidence and the restriction you missed. The goal is to justify the answer without opening the explanation again.
Then create a simple variation: change an email date, order quantity, or booking condition. Notice which answer must change. Then try an unfamiliar document to check that you learned a strategy, not a letter choice.
If your answers are accurate but you still do not finish Reading, track your time by part. The timing scenarios are editorial examples for the standard format; adjust them to your needs. Finish TOEIC Reading: allocate time across Parts 5, 6, and 7
Reading FAQs
How much time do I have per Reading question?
An average of 45 seconds: 75 minutes for 100 questions, which you divide among the three parts.
Can you go back to a question?
Yes, in the paper format described by ETS. It even recommends returning later to a question you cannot answer. To change an answer, erase the original choice completely before marking a new one.
Can you underline or annotate the texts?
No, in the paper format described by ETS: you cannot underline or annotate the booklet, take notes on the answer sheet, or bring paper into the room.
Do you need specialized vocabulary?
No. According to ETS, the test does not require specialized knowledge or vocabulary beyond what someone uses in everyday workplace activities. Reading vocabulary is still more difficult than Listening vocabulary.