🟧 Mastering TOEIC Yes/No Questions

Say Yes Without Saying Yes

🎯 The TOEIC Test Isn’t Testing English — It’s Testing Prediction

Let’s start with what we already know — and what most people forget when they sit down for the test:

TOEIC is not testing your English.
It’s testing how well you can:

• Recognize patterns

• React quickly under pressure

• Ignore the obvious

• And trust logic, not instinct

Nowhere is that more true than in Part 2 Yes/No questions — easily one of the sneakiest parts of the test.

🧠 Here’s the Reality:

Around 80% of the time, the correct answer to a Yes/No question is not the one that says “Yes” or “No.”

TOEIC loves to present:

• One answer with “Yes”

• One with “No”

• One that sounds strange or off-topic

Guess what?
That strange one — the one that doesn’t repeat the structure of the question — is usually the winner.

🧪 Why? Because TOEIC Is a Pattern Game

Let’s look at an example:

Q: “Did you send the report?”
You might hear:

• “Yes, I will.” ❌

• “No, not yet.” ❌

• “It was emailed this morning.” ✅

Now ask yourself: which one adds value?

“Emailed this morning” answers the question and moves the conversation forward. The others? Just vague repetition.

This isn’t random — it’s designed this way.

TOEIC wants you to go for the obvious — so it can punish you for it.

💡 Coaching Tip: Play the Percentages

If you’re unsure, here’s how to think like a strategist — not a student.

Let’s say you get a Yes/No question and:

• One answer is clearly wrong (off-topic or absurd)

• The other two are:
  A) One with “Yes” or “No”
  B) One that sounds odd, short, or incomplete

Now do the math:

• TOEIC chooses “Yes” or “No” only 20% of the time

• That means the “strange” answer is correct 80% of the time

So if you’re down to those two, you’re looking at a 4-to-1 advantage if you pick the strange one.

Let’s get nerdy for a second:

• If 1 of 2 answers is strange and 1 is Yes/No, and history shows strange wins 80% of the time…

• Then your probability-adjusted score jumps massively when you trust the pattern.

This is not about guessing — this is about playing the odds like a pro.

🤖 Think Like the Test, Not Like a Person

Remember — TOEIC isn’t measuring your friendliness. It’s measuring your ability to choose the most logical answer fast.

And in real conversation, “Yes” or “No” is just a starter. But TOEIC doesn’t give follow-up questions.
It gives you one shot — and the best answers are the ones that:

• Add detail

• Resolve ambiguity

• Allow the conversation to move forward

🧠 Common Ways TOEIC Says “Yes” Without Saying It

Here are some classic correct answers that imply “yes”:

• “I submitted it this morning.”

• “It’s already been processed.”

• “The manager approved it yesterday.”

• “They arrived 10 minutes ago.”

• “She’s working on that now.”

• “It’s scheduled for 3 PM.”

They don’t say “Yes,” but they answer the question. That’s what TOEIC is after.

Now here’s how TOEIC says “No” without using the word:

• “Not yet, I’m still reviewing it.”

• “She hasn’t arrived.”

• “That’s been delayed until Friday.”

• “I wasn’t informed about that.”

• “Nothing has been confirmed.”

If the response gives a clear status, it’s likely correct — even if it “feels wrong” in the moment.

🚫 Don’t Fall for These Traps

Let’s go real-world:

Q: “Do you know where the meeting is?”

• “Yes, I did.” ❌ ← Too vague

• “No, I forgot.” ❌ ← Natural but incomplete

• “It’s in Room 402.” ✅ ← Clear and useful

Q: “Are they arriving today?”

• “No, I don’t think so.” ❌ ← Weak

• “Yes, that’s right.” ❌ ← Sounds helpful, adds no info

• “They’ll be here at 3 PM.” ✅ ← No Yes/No, full answer

If it doesn’t move the situation forward — it’s not the right answer.

🧭 Your Takeaway Strategy

When you hear a Yes/No question in TOEIC:

1. Eliminate any choice that’s clearly irrelevant

2. Compare the “Yes/No” answer with the “strange but informative” one

3. Remember the math:

   • “Yes/No” = ~20% chance

   • Indirect = ~80% chance

4. Go with the odds — and go with logic

This is test-taking, not chatting. You're here to win points, not make friends.

🧱 Final Word: Trust the Pattern

You’re not being rude for skipping “Yes” and “No.”
You’re being smart.

When it comes to TOEIC Yes/No questions:

What sounds like gold is usually fool’s gold.
The weird answer is often the right one.
And guessing becomes strategy when you know the numbers.

🔗 Missed Part 1? Go Back and Read:

📘 Mastering TOEIC Part 2 – The Right Answer Sounds Wrong
→ Covers echo traps, grammar bait, and why the most natural-sounding answer is usually a lie.