5 Tips to Stay Focused for 2 Hours While Taking the TOEIC Exam

Have you ever experienced this feeling: Getting to question 150 (Parts 6 and 7) and your mind starts to freeze, words jump around, and reading English feels like looking at a "wall"? Or in the Listening section, just a 3-second lapse of concentration thinking about lunch can ruin your momentum, leading to a whole series of mistakes?

The TOEIC is essentially a mental marathon. Having to sit still and constantly strain your brain for 120 minutes (2 hours) to answer 200 questions is a significant physical and mental challenge. Without a strategy to stay alert, you can easily run out of steam in the final stretch – the longest and most difficult reading comprehension passages.

Don't let all your hard work studying go to waste just because of a lack of focus. Keep these 5 crucial tips in mind to stay cool from start to finish.

1. The 3-Second Rule: "Let go" to conserve energy.

The biggest enemy of concentration is regret. When you encounter a difficult question or miss something, your natural reaction is to pause and think. But in TOEIC, the cassette tape doesn't wait for anyone. Dwelling on an old question will cause you to lose focus on the next three questions.

👉 Tip: If you don't know the answer, guess immediately and forget about it. Pretend that question doesn't exist and focus 100% of your attention on the new question.

2. Use "downtime" to preview the questions.

Being passive will tire your brain quickly. Instead of waiting for the audio introduction for each part, use that precious time to read the questions beforehand and visualize the context.

👉 Tip: When the brain has a purpose (what information are you looking for?), its focus is activated more strongly than simply listening passively.

3. Break the exam down into stages (Mental Milestones)

Thinking about having to answer 200 questions can be very stressful. Try tricking your brain by breaking down the goal into smaller steps.

Tip:

• Stage 1: Complete Parts 1 & 2 (Warm-up).
• Stage 2: Complete Parts 3 & 4 (Speed ​​Up).
• Stage 3: Complete Parts 5 & 6 (Maintain your pace).
• Stage 4: Part 7 (Finishing Line).

After completing each stage, take a deep breath to reset your brain's state.

4. Adjust your sitting posture and breathing rate.

It may sound strange, but your sitting posture directly affects the amount of oxygen reaching your brain. Slouching too low on the desk or leaning your chest against it will make you feel sleepy and cause neck and eye strain.

👉 Tip: Sit up straight and position the test paper at a comfortable distance. If you feel panicked or distracted, pause for 5 seconds, take a deep breath in through your nose, and exhale through your mouth.

5. Practice with "realistic" exam questions at home (Most important)

You can't run a marathon if you only train by walking around the park. Similarly, you can't sit still for two hours in an exam room if at home you're only used to doing homework for 15-20 minutes and then taking a break to browse Facebook.

👉 Tip: You need to train your brain's "muscles" to withstand real-time pressure right from the start of your revision.

Conclude

Concentration isn't a talent; it's a skill that can be honed. Don't let fatigue defeat your knowledge. Prepare both mentally and physically to conquer the TOEIC.

Develop "nerves of steel" with Lingoland's TOEIC test practice mode.

To help you avoid "shock" when you enter the actual exam room, Lingoland for TOEIC Test is equipped with the most realistic simulation practice features:

• ✅ Full Test Mode (2 hours): The app provides practice test sets with a structure and difficulty level equivalent to the actual ETS exam. A continuously running countdown timer helps you get used to time pressure and build stamina so you don't "give up" in Part 7.
• ✅ Mini Test Mode (Step-by-Step Training): If you're not ready to do 2 hours right away, Lingoland allows you to choose short tests (30 minutes, 60 minutes) to gradually improve your concentration skills.
• ✅ Intuitive test interface: Simulates the multiple-choice answer sheet as in a real exam, helping you get used to the process and avoid marking the wrong answer due to eye strain.
• ✅ Performance statistics: After each test, the app will show you which stages of the test you usually lose points in, helping you adjust your strategy and allocate your energy more effectively.

👉 Download Lingoland for TOEIC Test now to practice "real-life" exercises every day and make exam pressure a thing of the past!