TOEIC Listening Part 3: Mastering Conversations
Part 3 of the TOEIC Listening Test can feel fast and full of distractions — but with the right strategy and awareness of common mistakes, you can turn this section into a scoring opportunity. This guide covers everything you need to master: the number of questions, how to handle two- vs. three-speaker conversations, what traps to avoid, what to listen for, and how to practise effectively.
What is TOEIC Part 3: Conversations?
This part includes 13 conversations.
Each conversation is followed by 3 multiple-choice questions (39 questions total).
You hear each conversation only once.
Topics include work situations, travel, shopping, meetings, and services.
Questions appear on-screen or in your test booklet during the audio.
Speakers use a variety of English accents (American, British, Australian, Canadian).
Two vs. Three Speakers
Two-speaker conversations are the most common. You might hear:
A manager and an employee
A receptionist and a customer
Two colleagues or business partners
Three-speaker conversations were added in 2018. These often take place:
In meetings or discussions
On conference calls
In group decisions or brainstorming
Important tip:
In 3-person conversations, the third speaker might speak only once — but their line may contain the answer. Don’t ignore any voice.
What Kind of Questions Will I See?
Each conversation includes 3 types of questions. These may ask you about:
A specific detail (like time, location, or a decision)
The purpose of the conversation or why someone called or spoke
What someone will probably do next (inference)
How someone feels (attitude or tone)
What a phrase really means in context (function or intent)
Information that connects to a visual such as a chart or schedule
Common Challenges
You often don't have time to read all 3 questions before the conversation starts
Three-speaker conversations can confuse you if you don’t recognize all voices
Many answers are implied — not directly spoken
Distractors copy keywords from the audio, but lead to the wrong answer
Accents or casual phrases may throw you off if you’re not used to them
Winning Strategy: Step-by-Step
Read Question 1 quickly before the audio starts (if possible)
Identify the roles of each speaker: Who’s in charge? Who is asking?
Listen for changes — like a delay, a new plan, or a customer complaint
If there's a visual, glance at it before the audio so you know what to expect
Use logic. For example: If someone says, “Let’s reschedule,” the correct answer may be “The meeting is postponed”
Eliminate answers that don’t match tone, tense, or the speaker’s purpose
Move on confidently — don’t overthink what you missed
Traps and Mistakes to Avoid
Picking answers that repeat words you heard, but don’t actually answer the question
Ignoring the speaker who talks the least — sometimes they say the most important thing
Misunderstanding intent-based phrases like “I’ll handle that” — which means offer or promise, not past action
Getting distracted by numbers or names that aren’t actually important
Believing the last sentence always has the answer — it doesn’t
Missing a key mood or tone change, which could point to the correct choice