🗣️ TOEIC Part 3: Conversations – 20 Tips to Boost Your Listening Score

Want a higher TOEIC Listening score?

In TOEIC Listening Part 3, you’ll hear short conversations between two or three people.
Your job: catch the key points, follow the flow, and answer three questions for each conversation.

With the right habits, this section can go from overwhelming to predictable.

1 – Know the Format

  • 13 conversations in total.

  • 3 questions per conversation → 39 questions total.

  • Sometimes there’s a graphic (chart, schedule, map).

  • No repeats — you hear it once.

2 – Prepare Before the Audio Starts

  • Skim the three questions quickly — they tell you what to listen for.

  • The first sentence often reveals the topic.

  • Focus on key ideas (who, what, why), not every word.

3 – Follow the Flow

  • Listen for transition words (“however,” “actually,” “so”) — they signal changes.

  • Track who is speaking (customer, staff, coworkers).

  • Recognise question types: main idea, detail, inference.

  • Use elimination — cut obviously wrong choices fast.

4 – Lock on to Key Info

  • Who / What / Why — most questions fit these patterns.

  • Time & place — very common test points.

  • Listen for problems, goals, or next steps.

  • “What’s next?” is a frequent question.

5 – Think in Real Situations

  • Topics: meetings, travel, customer service, scheduling.

  • Tone matters — confused, frustrated, excited.

  • Watch for similar-sounding words (reservation vs. presentation).

  • Use any visuals to confirm answers.

  • Get comfortable with different accents — US, UK, Australian, Canadian.

6 – Practice for Speed

  • Never leave blanks — guess if needed.

  • Train at real test speed — don’t slow the audio.

  • Listen 2–3 times in practice, but always first at full speed.

You don’t need to hear every word — just enough to understand the situation and the logic.
Stay calm, listen for structure, and use the questions as a guide.

For more strategies and resources to strengthen your Listening skills, visit the English Library Collection and sharpen your Part 3 skills before test day.

A black-and-white photograph of two hotel staff members and a guest standing at the reception desk. The guest appears to be explaining something, while the staff members listen attentively. The mood suggests an important or detailed conversation.
❓ What is Part 3 of the TOEIC test? EN: Part 3 is the conversation section of the TOEIC Listening test. JP: ❓TOEICのパート3はどんな内容ですか？ TOEICリスニングテストの会話問題です。2人または3人の話者による会話を聞き、3つの質問に答えます。 ❓ How many questions are there in Part 3? EN: There are 39 questions. 13 conversations, with 3 questions each. JP: ❓パート3には何問ありますか？ 全部で39問あります。13の会話があり、それぞれ3問ずつの設問があります。 ❓ How should I use the preview time before the audio starts? EN: Quickly scan all 3 questions so you know what to listen for. JP: ❓音声が始まる前の時間はどう使えばいいですか？ すべての質問をさっと読んで、どんな情報を聞き取ればいいかを把握しておきましょう。 ❓ What should I focus on when listening? EN: Focus on the main idea, problem, next steps, and tone. JP: ❓聞くときに注意すべきポイントは何ですか？ 主題、問題、次の行動、話し手の口調などに注目しましょう。 ❓ What if I can’t understand everything? EN: Don’t worry. Focus on the key points, not every word. JP: ❓全部の単語が聞き取れなかったらどうすればいいですか？ すべてを理解しようとせず、重要なポイントに集中しましょう。 ❓ What should I do if I don’t know the answer? EN: Always choose an answer. There’s no penalty for mistakes. JP: ❓答えがわからないときはどうすればいいですか？ 間違えても減点されないので、必ず何かを選びましょう。空欄にはしないでください。 ❓ Are accents different in Part 3? EN: Yes. You may hear American, British, Australian, or Canadian accents. JP: ❓パート3では話し手の発音やアクセントは違いますか？ はい。アメリカ、イギリス、オーストラリア、カナダなどの英語が使われます。 ❓ Are there visuals in Part 3? EN: Yes, some questions include charts or tables. JP: ❓パート3では図や表が出てきますか？ はい。一部の問題では、図や表が使われることがあります。