How to Improve Reading Speed for TOEFL Reading?

Want to read faster and manage your TOEFL Reading time better? Learn how to use skimming, scanning, and reviewing to find information quickly without losing meaning. This guide explains simple techniques to improve reading speed, reduce unnecessary rereading, build better reading habits, and answer TOEFL Reading questions more efficiently.

Do you read slowly when you are taking the TOEFL Reading section?

If you do, you’re not alone. Many students think the solution is simply to read faster. But reading faster does not automatically mean getting a higher score.

Think about it this way. If you read too fast, you may miss important details. If you read too slowly, you may run out of time. 

So, what should you do?

The key is to learn when to read quickly and when to slow down. Improving your TOEFL Reading speed is not about rushing through the passage. It is about using the right TOEFL Reading strategies to save time while maintaining good comprehension.

Three useful reading skills can help you do this:

• Skimming
• Scanning
• Reviewing

Each skill has a different purpose. Once you know when to use each one, you can move through a passage more efficiently without losing comprehension.

Skimming in TOEFL Reading

Skimming means reading a text quickly to understand the general meaning.

You are not trying to understand every sentence. Instead, you want to get a general idea of what the text is about and how it is organised.

This is especially useful when you are reading an academic passage. Skimming is one of the most useful TOEFL Reading techniques because it helps you understand the passage structure without spending too much time on every sentence.

How to skim a passage

When you skim, try these steps:

1. Read the title if there is one.
2. Read the first sentence of each paragraph carefully.
3. Quickly look through the rest of each paragraph for names, dates, keywords, and important ideas.
4. Notice how the paragraphs are connected.
5. Don't stop every time you see a difficult word.

The first sentence of a paragraph often gives you an important clue about its main idea. This is sometimes called the topic sentence.

For example, imagine a passage about bioluminescence in marine animals.

You might discover that:

• Paragraph 1 explains what bioluminescence is.
• Paragraph 2 explains how animals use it to survive.
• Paragraph 3 discusses its role in evolution.

You don't need to read every sentence to understand this basic structure.

The aim of skimming is simple: get the big picture first.

Scanning in TOEFL Reading

Now let's look at scanning.

Scanning means looking through a text quickly to find specific information.

You might be looking for:

• a name
• a date
• a number
• a place
• a specific fact
• or a word related to the question

Scanning is an important part of TOEFL Reading time management. It allows you to find information without rereading the entire passage.

You probably use this skill in everyday life without thinking about it. For example, if you want to find the time of a train, you don't read the entire timetable. You simply look for the train and the time you need. The same idea applies to TOEFL Reading.

How to scan a text

First, look at the question and identify the important keywords.

Then ask yourself:

What am I actually looking for?

For example, if a question asks:

When did the researchers begin the study?

You need to look for a date or a time reference. There is no reason to read the entire passage again.

There is one important thing to remember.

The exact words in the question may not appear in the passage. The writer may use a synonym or a different expression.

For example:

question: reduce
passage: decrease

question: important
passage: significant

question: problem
passage: difficulty

So, when you scan, look for meaning, not just identical words.

Reviewing in TOEFL Reading

There is one more skill that you need: reviewing.

Reviewing means going back to the relevant part of the passage to check your answer.

You don't need to read the whole passage again. Simply return to the sentence or paragraph that contains the information and read it carefully.

This is particularly useful for vocabulary and inference questions.

For example, suppose the passage says that sunlight cannot penetrate the deeper parts of the ocean.

If the question asks what “penetrate” means, go back to that sentence and use the surrounding information to work out the meaning.

Remember:

Skimming helps you understand the passage.

Scanning helps you find information.

Reviewing helps you confirm your answer.

TOEFL Reading Tips And Tricks 

So, how can you actually become a faster reader?

Here are some techniques you can practise.

1. Read the questions before short daily-life texts

For the Read in Daily Life task, the questions usually ask about specific information.

Reading the questions first tells you what to look for.

For example, if the question asks about a late arrival, you already know to pay attention to information about times, deadlines or what happens when someone arrives late.

This gives your reading a clear purpose instead of making you read the whole text without knowing what you need.

2. Avoid Subvocalizing

Do you hear every word in your head as you read?

This is called subvocalization. It is the habit of silently saying the words to yourself while reading.

You don't need to eliminate it completely. Instead, try to reduce excessive inner speech when you are reading simple information.

One technique you can practise is to open your mouth slightly as you read. This can make it harder to form a clear inner voice and may help you become more aware of how much you are mentally saying each word.

However, don't use this when you are reading a difficult sentence or trying to understand a complicated idea.

Reading faster is only useful if you still understand what you are reading.

3. Practise with a timer

Reading without a time limit is very different from reading during the TOEFL.

Set a timer and practise regularly.

You could start with 10 minutes of focused reading practice each day. Try to increase your speed gradually while keeping your understanding high.

Don't focus only on how many words you can read. Also check how much you actually understood.

4. Increase Your Eye Span

When you read, do your eyes move from one word to the next?

Try to make your eyes take in a slightly wider area of text with each fixation.

For example:

The researchers / conducted a detailed study / of the effects of climate change / on marine ecosystems.

The aim is to practise letting your eyes focus around the centre of a group of words, rather than jumping from word to word.

One way to practise is to notice words that carry less meaning on their own, such as of, for, an, the, in, to, and, which.

You still read these words, but you don't need to give each one the same amount of visual attention.

With practice, your eyes can start moving more naturally across the sentence.

5. Stop Trying to Understand Every Word

What should you do when you see a word you don't know?

Don't immediately stop.

First, ask yourself:

“Do I actually need this word to answer a question?”

If the answer is no, keep reading.

For example, you may come across an unfamiliar scientific term in the middle of a paragraph. If the next few sentences make the main idea clear, you probably don't need to stop and analyse that word.

In the TOEFL, you don't need to understand every word to understand the passage.

6. Don't Reread Everything

If you’re one of those who like to double-check everything, you may find yourself rereading the same sentence. Sometimes you need to. But doing this too often can waste valuable time. 

Try to read with concentration the first time.

If you need more information to answer a question, go back to the relevant part of the passage. This is where the reviewing skill becomes useful.

Question Types in TOEFL Reading

The Best Way to Read Faster

Remember, reading faster does not mean rushing.

Your goal is to become a more efficient reader.

You should know when to:

Skim → get the general idea

Scan → find specific information

Review → check the answer

You don't need to read every part of a passage with the same level of attention.

Some parts need a quick look.

Some parts need careful reading.

The real skill is knowing the difference.