Mastering Time in TOEIC Reading: Why You Shouldn’t Do Parts 5, 6, and 7 in Order

Smart students don’t follow the test — they follow the score.

Most test takers follow the Reading section in the order it’s printed:
Part 5 → Part 6 → Part 7.

It feels safe. It feels organised. But it’s one of the biggest reasons people run out of time — and leave easy points on the table.

⏱ The Real Problem

The Reading section has 100 questions in 75 minutes.
That’s 45 seconds per question on average.

But not all questions take the same amount of time:

  • Part 5 (30 questions) — Short grammar/vocabulary items. Many can be answered in 15–20 seconds if you’re trained.

  • Part 6 (16 questions) — Medium-length text completion.

  • Part 7 (54 questions) — Long reading comprehension. Requires scanning, skimming, and inference.

Most test takers burn too much time early and hit a wall halfway through Part 7 — leaving high-value questions blank.

🔄 The Smarter Order

Recommended sequence:

  1. Part 5 first

  2. Part 7 second

  3. Part 6 last

1️⃣ Part 5 First — Your Time Bank

If you handle Part 5 efficiently (15–20 seconds per question), you can finish in about 10 minutes.
That’s 10–12 extra minutes compared to the “average pace” — time you can invest where it really matters.

2️⃣ Part 7 Second — Spend Time Where It Pays Off

Part 7 is where most people lose both time and points.
With extra minutes in your pocket, you can:

  • Spend 45–60 seconds per question.

  • Read without rushing.

  • Keep calm instead of panicking at the halfway mark.

Inside Part 7, start with detail and vocabulary questions. Leave inference and “NOT/EXCEPT” items for last.

3️⃣ Part 6 Last — Lower Risk if Time Runs Out

Part 6’s 16 questions are a mix of grammar and context.
If you have time, you can finish them comfortably.
If you’re short on time, it’s the easiest section to guess quickly without losing major points.

🧠 Why This Works

  • You gain time early on fast questions.

  • You spend time where questions are slow and worth more attention.

  • You avoid panic and finish stronger.

All TOEIC questions are worth 1 point, but not all take the same time. The goal is points per minute, not “follow the printed order.”

Final Word

Mastery isn’t just knowing the content — it’s knowing how to play the game.
Bank your time in Part 5, invest it in Part 7, and treat Part 6 as your low-pressure finish.

For more strategies and resources to manage your TOEIC Reading time like a pro, visit the English Library Collection and start optimising your test-day plan today.

A black and white photo of a young Japanese student flipping through a TOEIC-style test booklet while watching the clock in a plain exam room. Two other students are also focused on their papers.
✅ Sakura FAQ – Mastering TOEIC Reading Time (English) Q1: Can I answer TOEIC Reading questions in a different order than Part 5 → 6 → 7? A: Yes. You can answer the sections in any order. Many high-scoring students start with Part 5, then move to Part 7, and finish with Part 6 to manage their time better. Q2: Why is it better to start with Part 5? A: Part 5 questions are shorter and faster to answer. If you complete them quickly, you gain extra time to spend on the longer and harder reading passages in Part 7. Q3: Isn’t it risky to leave Part 6 for last? A: Not really. Part 6 has only 16 questions, and it’s easier to guess if you run out of time. It’s better to focus on the bigger scoring section (Part 7) while your brain is fresh. Q4: How much time should I try to save by doing Part 5 quickly? A: If you can answer Part 5 questions in about 20 seconds each, you’ll save about 10–12 minutes total — time you can spend on slower questions in Part 7. Q5: Is it OK to skip questions if I’m running out of time? A: Yes. It’s better to guess or skip hard questions (like NOT/EXCEPT) and focus on the ones you can answer quickly and accurately. All questions are worth 1 point.