The "A4 Memo" Drill: How to Train Your Brain for Speed in TOEIC
“I can’t finish TOEIC on time…”
You know the feeling.
Part 5 takes longer than it should.
Part 7? You’re barely halfway through when time runs out.
You’re not bad at reading.
You’re not lazy.
You’re stuck in The Speed Trap Block.
The Speed Trap Block — Slow Processing, Not Lack of Knowledge
The Speed Trap happens when you process information in a messy, unstructured way.
You read every word carefully.
You try to remember every detail.
But TOEIC isn’t testing your memory — it’s testing your ability to organize and act fast.
Speed is not about rushing.
It’s about clarity and structure under pressure.
The “A4 Memo” Technique — Train Your Brain to Think Fast & Clear
In Zero-Second Thinking, Akira Ishikawa introduces the “A4 Memo” habit:
Write your thoughts on an A4 paper, for one minute, as fast as possible.
The goal isn’t to write perfectly.
It’s to train your brain to quickly organize messy thoughts into clear structures.
This practice builds mental speed, not by thinking harder, but by thinking sharper.
MTC’s Truth: TOEIC Speed Comes from Organized Processing — Not Reading Faster
Most learners think they need to "speed up their reading".
But at MTC, we teach:
Speed is not how fast you read.
Speed is how quickly you structure information.
If your brain can instantly categorize what’s important,
you’ll naturally move faster — with accuracy.
ALT Habit: The “1-Minute Outline Drill” (A4 Memo for TOEIC)
Here’s how to use the A4 Memo Drill for TOEIC training:
For Part 5 (Grammar & Vocabulary):
Take 5 random Part 5 questions.
Set a 1-minute timer.
For each question, write down the question type (e.g., grammar, meaning, word form).
Repeat daily until your brain auto-categorizes question types instantly.
For Part 7 (Reading Passages):
Pick a short passage.
Set a 1-minute timer.
Skim the passage and write down 3 keywords that summarize the main idea.
Focus on speedy recognition, not perfect comprehension.
Why This Works (Even If You’re a Slow Reader Now)
It builds “structure reflexes.” Your brain gets used to categorizing before over-analyzing.
It shifts focus to essential information. You stop wasting time on irrelevant details.
It lowers time-pressure stress. You’ll feel in control, even with limited time.
TOEIC Doesn’t Reward Careful Reading — It Rewards Smart Reading
Reading slowly and carefully feels safe.
But TOEIC is a time-pressure challenge.
You don’t need to “read faster.”
You need to process smarter.
The A4 Memo Drill isn’t about writing.
It’s about training your brain to organize and decide — instantly.
One minute a day is enough to start breaking the Speed Trap.
