🎯 It’s Not Just a Number

People often see their TOEIC score and think:
“I’m not good at English,” or
“Why is my score still low after all that study?”

But a TOEIC score isn’t a measure of intelligence.
And it’s not even a full measure of your English.

It’s a snapshot of how well you can handle a specific test, under specific time pressure, using specific skills.

Your score tells a story — if you know how to read it.

🔍 A Score is a Signal, Not a Label

A 600 and a 730 and an 800 don’t just mean “low,” “okay,” and “good.”
They mean something very different:

• A 600 often means:
  → You understand a lot — but under pressure, you miss pieces.
  → Your foundation is there, but your habits aren’t test-ready.

• A 730 usually means:
  → You’re solid — but you lose time or get tricked by traps.
  → Your understanding is strong, but your reactions need tuning.

• An 800+ means:
  → You play the test like a game.
  → You’ve trained judgment, not just knowledge.

The point?
Your score reflects performance, not potential.

🧩 The Score Isn’t the Goal — It’s the Map

Don’t treat your TOEIC score as a finish line.

Think of it like a map marker:

“You are here.”

It tells you where your current habits, training, and strategies are getting you.
And that means you can plan your next move with clarity.

🚀 My TOEIC Coach: Why We Read Scores Differently

We don’t just ask “What’s your score?”
We ask:

• How do you study?

• What breaks down under pressure?

• Are you memorising or performing?

Because two people with a 700 can be in totally different places.

At My TOEIC Coach, we use your score as a tool — not a verdict.

✅ Final Thought

Your TOEIC score is not your ceiling.
It’s not your identity.
It’s just feedback.

If you want to go further, don’t focus on doing more study.
Focus on studying smarter.
And start treating the test like a skill — not a school subject.

Want to Learn More?

Our blog is full of practical strategies that help test-takers like you build better habits, overcome common blocks, and improve TOEIC scores through smarter, easier methods. Try our free TOEIC Block quiz now!

The Courage to Be Average: Why Comparing Your TOEIC Score Will Make You Miserable

You check your friend’s TOEIC score.
They got 850. You’re still at 680.
Suddenly, your own score feels small. Weak. Not enough.

So you study harder, trying to catch up.
But instead of feeling motivated, you feel tired. Frustrated. Stuck.

This is called Score Stagnation — and comparing yourself to others is the fastest way to get there.

The Problem with Competing Against Everyone

The book The Courage to Be Disliked has a powerful idea:
“The Courage to Be Ordinary.”

It means this:
You don’t need to beat anyone.
You don’t need to be “the best.”
You just need to be you, moving at your own pace.

But when you start comparing scores with friends, coworkers, or random strangers online,
you create a race that never ends.
No matter how high you score, someone will always be higher.

That cycle will exhaust you.

MTC Truth: Your Only Rival is Your Last Score

At My TOEIC Coach (MTC), we say this clearly:
Stop comparing sideways. Start comparing forward.

Your goal isn’t to “win” against your classmates.
Your goal is to improve on your last performance.

If last month you were 650, aim for 660.
That’s it.

Progress is a quiet, personal game.
And it’s the only game where you will always win — if you keep going.

The “1% Better” Habit — How to Break Score Stagnation

Here’s a simple MTC drill to stop the comparison loop and focus on real progress.

✅ After every practice session, write down one small improvement.
Example:

• “Today, I answered Part 2 questions faster.”

• “I noticed more signal words in Part 7.”

• “I reviewed yesterday’s mistakes.”

✅ Forget the score. Track the habits.
The score will follow.

This habit turns your attention away from others and back to where it belongs — on you.

Why This Works

• It builds a success loop. Every small win counts, keeping you motivated.

• It protects your energy. You stop wasting time on other people’s numbers.

• It gives you control. You always decide your next move.

You Don’t Need to Be “Better Than Them.”

You Just Need to Be “Better Than Yesterday.”

The courage to accept being “average” isn’t weakness.
It’s freedom.

When you stop competing sideways, you’ll notice something powerful:
You’ll start moving forward, quietly, but surely.

That’s real success.
That’s MTC style.

Want to Learn More?

Our blog is full of practical strategies that help test-takers like you build better habits, overcome common blocks, and improve TOEIC scores through smarter, easier methods. Try our free TOEIC Block quiz now!

Atomic Habits & The Memoriser Block — Why Remembering More Won't Raise Your TOEIC Score

Many people studying TOEIC think:
“If I just memorise more words, more grammar, more practice questions, my score will go up.”

But that doesn’t always happen.

TOEIC isn’t a test of how much you remember.
It’s a test of how quickly you can use what you know.

If you only memorise, you will get stuck.
That is called the Memoriser Block.

James Clear’s Atomic Habits shows a simple idea:
Build small habits that help you use what you know — without overthinking.

Why Memorising More Can Make You Slower

Have you ever learned a new word, but couldn’t remember it in the test?

This happens because your brain is trying too hard to find the answer.
In the real TOEIC test, you don’t have time to think slowly.

If you only use flashcards and word lists, you are training your brain to study slowly.

You need practice that makes you faster and automatic.

Example 1: The "Visual Tag" Habit — For Faster Vocabulary

Instead of just looking at a word list, build a tiny drawing habit.

When you learn a new vocabulary word (like commute or invoice),
take just 2 seconds to draw a simple, ugly sketch that represents it.

• Commute → Stick figure on a train.

• Invoice → Dollar sign with an arrow.

You don’t need to be good at drawing.
This small visual "tag" gives your brain a quick, easy hook to remember the word.

It turns boring memorisation into a fun, low-effort habit that sticks.

Example 2: The "30-Second Treasure Hunt" — For Pattern Recognition

Part 5 grammar questions feel stressful because people try to solve them immediately.

Instead, start with a quick treasure hunt.

Open a Part 5 section, and for just 30 seconds,
ignore the answers. Your only goal is to spot patterns.

For example:

• "Find every word that ends in -tion."

• "Find every sentence with because."

No pressure. No right answer.
You are simply training your brain to notice patterns automatically.

This fun, low-stakes habit helps you build the exact scanning skill needed in the real TOEIC test.

The Point: Small Habits > Big Memorisation

Memorising is important.
But memorisation alone will not help you perform in the TOEIC test.

Atomic Habits shows that small, daily habits — like sketching a quick visual or playing a pattern-finding game — are what make you faster, more accurate, and more confident.

If you’re tired of memorising and still getting stuck,
The problem isn’t your memory.
It’s time to build better habits.

Want to Learn More?

Our blog is full of practical strategies that help test-takers like you build better habits, overcome common blocks, and improve TOEIC scores through smarter, easier methods. Try our free TOEIC Block quiz now!