Why More Study Time Doesn’t Always Help Your TOEIC Score

(and What Actually Does)

Let’s be honest.

You set aside two hours to study. You open your books. You get started.

Then you check your phone. Answer a message. Re-read the same sentence.
And by the end, you’re not sure what you actually learned.

Sound familiar?

You’re not lazy. You’re not unmotivated.
You’ve just hit a common problem: more time doesn’t always mean more progress.

🧠 Old Thinking: “Study More, Score More”

From school days, we were told:

“If you want better results, study longer.”

And sure — that worked in school.
Teachers praised time and effort. You got points for trying.

But real learning doesn’t work that way.

Your brain has limits.
After a certain point, your focus fades, your memory drops, and the time just… vanishes.

You were trained to believe that longer = better.
But Accelerated Learning for TOEIC shows something different.

🔁 What Accelerated Learning for TOEIC Recommends Instead

Accelerated Learning for TOEIC is built on how the brain actually works.

The key idea?
You learn more when you study in short, focused bursts — not long, tiring sessions.

Here’s the simple approach:

• Study for 25 to 40 minutes with full focus

• Stop

• Come back later and review

• Repeat across several days, not all in one go

This style uses your brain’s natural rhythm — and avoids burnout.

📏 Let’s Do the Math

Think 10 minutes a day isn’t enough? Let’s break it down:

• 10 minutes every day = 70 minutes a week

• 10 minutes, twice a day = over 2 hours a week

• 20 minutes, twice a day = almost 5 hours a week

And here’s the thing:

• Waiting for ramen? That takes longer.

• Lining up for doughnuts? Easily more than 10 minutes.

• Scrolling Instagram before bed? Probably way more than that.

You have the time.
The trick is using it intentionally — and repeatedly.

📱 Make It a Habit, Not a Battle

You don’t need a perfect study routine.
You need one that’s easy to keep doing.

Here’s where those 10-minute bursts can go:

• On the train

• After lunch

• Right before bed

• While waiting in line

• During a coffee break

It doesn’t have to be dramatic.
It just has to be regular.

And when you repeat it — day after day — your brain starts to lock it in.

✅ The Takeaway

Forget the pressure to sit down for two hours every night.
Most of that time disappears anyway.

Instead, use what actually works:

• Short bursts

• Daily habits

• Smart repetition with space to breathe

Because real learning isn’t about how long you study —
It’s about how often your brain sees the right things, at the right time.

Try 10 minutes now.
Then again tomorrow.
Then again the next day.

Small. Focused. Repeated.
That’s how real change happens.

🧭 TOEIC Self-Study Pitfalls: For Those Struggling Alone, Coaching Reveals the Real Barrier

You’ve been trying.

Books, apps, YouTube, even grammar blogs.

You’ve done the right thing — or what you thought was the right thing.

And yet… you’re stuck.

Not failing.
Just not moving forward.

This is the silent frustration of TOEIC self-study:
You work hard, but no one’s there to tell you what’s actually working — or what’s holding you back.

🚧 Self-Study Shows You Something Is Wrong — But Not What

TOEIC isn’t just about English.
It’s about:

• Timing under pressure

• Fast recall

• Real-time decision-making

• Repeating the right patterns

• Confidence when it counts

But self-study can’t show you why you freeze, guess, reread, or burn out.
You’re inside the system — it’s hard to see your own blind spots.

And over time?

You start to wonder if it’s just you.

🧠 The Real Barrier Usually Isn’t English

Most people come to us saying:

“I’m studying every day but nothing sticks.”
“I know the grammar but I panic during the test.”
“I translate in my head and run out of time.”
“I get the easy ones, but the hard ones drain me.”

None of those are “English problems.”

They’re learning block problems.

Self-study can't diagnose that.
Coaching can.

🧭 Coaching Isn’t Just Teaching — It’s Seeing What You Can’t

A coach doesn’t just explain things. They observe you.
They listen to your patterns. They spot hesitation, stress, overthinking, burnout, fear of mistakes — things you’ve gotten used to.

Then they show you how to break through it.

And suddenly?

You don’t feel stuck anymore.
You feel seen.
And you feel momentum again.

🤝 You Were Never Meant to Do This Alone

TOEIC is hard enough.
Trying to face it alone — with no feedback, no strategy, no support — makes it 10x harder.

That doesn’t make you weak.

It means you’re human.

And humans make faster, better progress when someone’s walking with them.

🧩 Fix the Method — and Everything Changes

You don’t need more energy.
You don’t need more motivation.

You just need a method that fits your brain.

Once that clicks?

• Progress comes faster

• Study feels lighter

• Confidence returns

And you stop thinking “Maybe I just can’t do this”
— because now, you know you can.

🧱 Why Your TOEIC Score Isn’t Improving — And How to Break Through

You’re studying. You’re trying. You’re putting in the effort.
So why isn’t your score going up?

If you feel like you’re stuck in place—doing everything right but seeing no results—you’re not alone. Many learners experience this exact frustration. You’re not broken. But you may be blocked.

Let’s talk about why.

🚧 The Invisible Wall

It’s not just a lack of effort. It’s not about being lazy.

Many students reach a point where progress just stops. They’ve memorised vocabulary. Done the practice tests. Rewatched the grammar videos. And yet… the score stays the same.

Why?

Because they’re hitting an invisible wall — a learning block they can’t see, but definitely feel.

🌀 What It Feels Like

• You review every day, but forget things during the test.

• You second-guess your answers, even when you know them.

• You freeze when the recording starts, even though you understand the words.

• You’re tired. Burned out. Wondering if this will ever work.

These are not signs of failure.
They’re signs that your brain is rejecting the method — not the goal.

🧠 It’s Not You. It’s How You Were Taught to Study.

TOEIC success isn’t about effort alone.
It’s about the right kind of effort — based on how your brain learns best.

If you’re forcing yourself to study harder using methods that don’t fit you, you’ll only get more tired — not more progress.

And the more tired you get, the easier it is to blame yourself.
Please don’t.

You’re not lazy. You’re not bad at English. You just haven’t been shown a method that works for you yet.

🛠️ What You Can Do Right Now

1. Step back — not to quit, but to observe.
   Ask: Why isn’t this working? What feels heavy? What feels like a grind?

2. Try something new, even if it’s small. A different way of reviewing. A simpler resource. Ten minutes a day, not an hour.

3. Talk to someone. A coach. A guide. Even the AI assistant on this page.
   You weren’t meant to figure this out alone.

✨ One Block, One Breakthrough

At My TOEIC Coach, we don’t believe in “just try harder.”
We believe in diagnosis. In understanding. In breaking the invisible wall that’s holding you back.

There’s a reason your score hasn’t improved.
And once we identify that reason, everything gets easier.

💬 Don’t Forget Why You Started

That job.
That promotion.
That chance to live, work, or travel the way you dream of.

Your future opens up with a passing score.
Don’t let frustration close the door.

You’ve already done the hard part: you’ve kept going.
Now let us help you go forward — with clarity, not confusion.

🔍 Take the Learning Block quiz now and find out what’s really stopping your progress.

📝 TOEIC Beginner, Where to Start?

📝 TOEIC Beginner, Where to Start?

Your First Step to Avoid Burnout

You’ve decided to take on the TOEIC.
You opened a textbook.
You downloaded a few apps.
You watched some YouTube videos.
And then… you froze.

Why does everyone else seem to already know what to do?
Where’s the clear “first step” for people starting from zero?

Let’s fix that — right now.

🧭 Start Where You Are. Really.

Most beginners quit not because they’re lazy — but because they try to do too much, too fast.

They think they need:

• A full grammar textbook

• 60-minute study blocks every day

• Some magic method that makes everything stick instantly

They don’t.

If you’re just starting, your only goal is simple:
Start a habit. Not a perfect one. Just a real one.

⏱️ Try This: 10 Minutes a Day

Set a timer for 10 minutes.

Open a notebook and write the day: “Day 1”

Pick one simple English word or sentence. Write it. Speak it aloud. Write your own example.
Done? Great. That’s your first step.

Do it again tomorrow.

You’ve just started a momentum loop — and that’s way more powerful than a downloaded PDF or fancy app.

🌱 You Don’t Need Everything. Just Something Small to Begin.

You don’t need to buy a bunch of books.
You don’t need a perfect plan.
You just need:

• A notebook

• A pen

• A phone timer

• A clear reason why this matters to you

That last one? That’s the anchor.

Are you doing this to change jobs?
To prove something to yourself?
To feel confident again?

Write that reason down on page 1 of your notebook.

💬 Ask for Guidance When You Need It

No one gets extra points for doing everything alone.

If you’re stuck, confused, or overwhelmed — talk to someone.

Even our AI assistant on this site can help you get started.
(And it won’t judge you for asking!)

🎯 The Hardest Part is Starting — But You Just Did.

You don’t need to be perfect.
You don’t need to be fluent.
You don’t even need to be confident — not yet.

All you need is to begin.

You did that today.
Now… do it again tomorrow.

Let the momentum carry you.
We’re here when you’re ready for the next step.

🧳 TOEIC Exam Day Belongings List: Facing the Test with Zero Forgotten Items

You know you should pack the night before.
But will you?

More than one test taker has woken up early on exam day, only to realise they forgot their test voucher, their ID… or even worse — their confidence.

Let’s fix that.
This isn’t just a packing list. It’s your calm-before-the-storm checklist — a small habit that makes a big difference.

✅ The Calm-Test-Day Checklist

Here’s what you actually need to bring — and why it matters:

1. Your Test Voucher (受験票)
No voucher = no entry. It happens more often than you think. Put it in a clear file and pack it first.

2. Valid Photo ID
The name must match your TOEIC registration exactly. Double-check expiration dates too.
Accepted: Driver’s license, passport, or My Number card — but always check official guidelines in advance.

3. Pencils (x2) and Eraser
Standard #2 or HB pencils (not mechanical).
Bring at least two — both sharpened — and a reliable eraser that won’t smudge or tear the paper.

4. Analog Wristwatch (Not a Smartwatch)
Phones and digital timers are off-limits. A simple analog watch is your best pacing tool — especially in Part 7.
Set quiet mental checkpoints (e.g. “Part 5 done by 10:10”) and check in as you go.

5. Nutrition for Mental Focus
We recommend a banana and a small bottle of electrolyte drink (like Pocari Sweat or Aquarius).
The goal: steady blood sugar and hydration.
Think: calm, stable, marathon energy — not a sugar spike followed by a crash.

6. Light Jacket or Cardigan
Test centres can be chilly — especially in summer when the air conditioning is strong.
Bring a layer, even if it’s warm outside. You don’t want to shiver through Part 7.

7. Eye Drops or Tissues
Dry eyes from AC? Runny nose from nerves or allergies? It happens.
You won’t be allowed to leave often, so bring a small pack of tissues and eye drops just in case.

8. Quiet Good Luck Charm (if that’s your thing)
A small item — a charm from a shrine, a pebble in your pocket, a note from someone who believes in you.
Sometimes it’s not superstition — it’s stability. And it reminds you: you’re not alone.

🌅 Pack the Night Before = Calm the Morning Of

One of the simplest ways to reduce test anxiety?

Pack everything the night before.
Lay it all out on your desk or dining table.

🎒 Clear file
✏️ Pencils and eraser
🪪 ID
⏰ Watch
🥤 Drink + snack
🧥 Jacket
🍀 (Optional) Lucky charm

When your bag is ready, your brain rests better.

You’ll sleep deeper, wake up calmer, and walk into the test without that frantic “Did I forget something?” panic that drains mental energy.

🧠 Bonus Tip: Prepare Your Brain Too

The TOEIC exam doesn’t start when they say, “Begin.”

It starts the moment you wake up — how you eat, how you move, how you breathe.

So:
Eat breakfast.
Walk slowly.
Check your belongings one last time.
And take one deep, steadying breath before you enter.

You’ve got this.

And now… you’re packed for it too.

TOEIC Nerves? Here’s How to Stay Calm and Perform at Your Best

You know the feeling.

You’ve studied. You’ve practiced. You know the material.

But the morning of the TOEIC test arrives… and suddenly, your heart won’t stop pounding.

You forget everything. You panic. And you walk out thinking,

“I knew that answer… why couldn’t I say it?”

Nervousness doesn’t mean you’re unprepared.

It just means you’ve never been taught how to prepare your mind — not just your memory.

Let’s change that.

🚨 Why You Freeze — Even When You Know the Answer

Your brain is designed for survival.

In a calm state, you can remember what you studied, think clearly, and make decisions.
But under stress? Your brain switches into “fight, flight, or freeze.”

And that’s exactly what happens on test day.

For many learners, the TOEIC test environment feels threatening — not because of the test itself, but because of everything riding on the score:

• A job interview

• A promotion

• A chance to study abroad

• The end of a long study journey

So when you sit down to take the test, your brain is flooded with adrenaline and stress.

And what do we know about adrenaline?

It shuts down the prefrontal cortex — the part of your brain responsible for calm thinking and memory retrieval.

Translation?
You blank. You guess. You panic. And worst of all… you blame yourself.

🛠️ How to Stay Calm and Take Back Control

Let’s get practical.

Here are four techniques that My TOEIC Coach uses to help students stay grounded and perform at their best:

1. Rehearse the Day Before

One major source of stress is uncertainty. So remove it.

• Pack everything the night before

• Set out your clothes, test voucher, ID, and stationery

• Set two alarms

• Decide what time you’ll leave

• Visualise yourself arriving, checking in, and sitting down

If your brain knows the path, it doesn’t panic.

2. Treat It Like a Marathon

Would you run a marathon on an empty stomach?

Before the test, fuel your brain like an athlete:

• A banana and a small electrolyte drink give you potassium and stable energy

• Avoid sugar crashes or skipping breakfast

• Don’t over-caffeinate — you want energy, not jitters

3. Anchor Yourself Physically

When you feel panic rise, use your body to reset your brain:

• Place both feet flat on the floor

• Sit upright, hands resting on your thighs

• Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 6

• Repeat 3 times

This shifts your nervous system from “fight or flight” to “rest and focus.”

4. Use a Grounding Phrase

Just before the test begins, whisper to yourself:

“I’ve done what I can. I’m ready to show it.”

This isn't positive thinking. It's alignment.
You’re reminding your brain that this is your moment — and that you’re allowed to succeed.

🔁 Bonus: Practice Under Test Conditions

The more your practice feels like the real thing, the calmer you’ll be.

That’s why at My TOEIC Coach, we simulate real test environments in coaching:

• Timed sections

• Background noise

• “One shot” answering rules

So when the real day comes, your body says, “I know this.”
And confidence takes over.

🌱 Final Thought

Being nervous doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you care.

But caring without a strategy leads to panic.

With the right tools — and a coach who understands — your nerves can become focus, and your preparation can finally turn into progress.

You don’t need to fight the fear.
You just need to train your brain to breathe through it.

✍️ The #1 Vocabulary Habit of Top TOEIC Scorers

Build Your Own English-English Dictionary

What’s the best way to boost your TOEIC vocabulary?

You might think it’s downloading another app, or memorising another 1,000-word list.
But when you ask actual high scorers what works, many give a simple — but powerful — answer:

“I build my own English-English dictionary.”

No automation. No AI.
Just a small, handwritten notebook that helps them learn words deeply, not just recognise them on a test.

And it works — again and again.

🧠 What Exactly Is an English-English Dictionary?

It’s a personal notebook where you:

1. Write down new words or phrases you encounter — from practice tests, articles, conversations, or songs.

2. Define the word using simple English — not Japanese translation.

3. Write your own example sentence — something that connects the word to your life, interests, or emotions.

Let’s say you come across the word “hesitate.”

Instead of:

hesitate = ためらう

You might write:

hesitate = to stop or pause before doing something because you're unsure
My example: “I hesitated before pressing ‘send’ on my TOEIC test registration.”

It doesn’t have to be perfect English. What matters is that you understand it.

🔄 Review Is the Secret Weapon

Just writing it down isn’t enough.

To lock new vocabulary into long-term memory, try this scientifically supported review cycle:

• Review your notebook within 12 hours.
  This tells your brain, “Hey, this is important.” It starts the memory process.

• Review it again within 24–48 hours.
  This strengthens the connection and makes the word easier to recall later.

• Then space out your reviews: 3 days later, then 1 week later.
  This is called spaced repetition, and it works.

You can simply reread your notes, quiz yourself, or cover the definitions and try to recall them.

🔗 Link New Words to What You Already Know

When you add a new word, ask:

• “Is this similar to any word I already know?”

• “Can I use this with other phrases I’ve learned?”

• “What kind of TOEIC situation might use this?”

Example:

New word: negotiate
You might write:

negotiate = to discuss something to reach an agreement
Related word: agreement, contract, deal
My example: “The manager negotiated with the supplier for a better price.”

Now you’re not just learning one word — you’re building a network of connected ideas.

✍️ Why This Method Works So Well

• Handwriting builds memory. Typing is passive. Writing forces your brain to slow down and absorb the meaning.

• Personal examples create emotion. Emotion = stronger memory.

• Simple English definitions build fluency. You stop translating. You start thinking in English.

This isn’t just about passing TOEIC.
It’s about building real-world English skills — for life, for work, and for confidence.

🚀 Ready to Start?

All you need is a notebook, a pen, and five quiet minutes a day.

Build your dictionary.
Review it often.
Make it personal.

And watch your vocabulary — and your score — grow from the inside out.