The Common Test English Reading section lasts 80 minutes and consists of several major sections. It does not include simple, standalone grammar or usage questions. Every question requires processing information through reading comprehension. Build your time allocation after understanding the overall structure.
Basic Rules
Overall features:
- The exam lasts 80 minutes, uses a multiple-choice answer sheet, and is divided into several reading sections
- There are no standalone vocabulary or grammar questions; every question is answered through reading passages and materials
- The early sections mainly contain practical English, such as advertisements, notices, emails, and web pages (information-search type)
- The later sections mainly contain essays, argumentative passages, and integrated reading of multiple materials (argument-understanding type)
Basic policy for time allocation:
- Since information-search sections involving practical texts require less reading per question, process them quickly to save time
- Since argumentative passages require more reading, leave more time for the latter half
- Reserve review time (3〜5 minutes) from the beginning
Common time-allocation mistakes:
- Spending too much time carefully translating the entire early practical-text section
- Running out of time on the long passages in the latter half and rushing through the final section
Early practical-text section (information-search type): If there are few questions, spend 1〜2 minutes per question, focus on scanning, and do not translate the entire text carefully.
Later argumentative-passage section: Spend around 10 minutes on one major section and read while paying attention to paragraph structure (see the lesson unit "Understanding Paragraph Structure").
Always use the final 5 minutes to check for marking errors.
Points to Note
① The point distribution and number of questions may be adjusted from year to year, so allocate time flexibly according to the principle "read practical texts quickly and argumentative passages carefully," rather than fixing the number of questions per minute.
② Reading every question with the same level of care will certainly cause you to run out of time. It is important to switch your reading method as soon as you identify the question type (information search or argument understanding).
③ Record which major sections take you too long during past practice and conduct intensive speed-reading training only for your weak sections.
④ If you cannot reserve review time, you will not notice shifted answer marks or misreadings. Always include a review block at the end of your time allocation.
- All questions are based on reading comprehension. There are no standalone grammar or vocabulary questions
- The early sections focus on practical texts (information search), while the later sections focus on argumentative passages (understanding the argument)
- Allocate time according to the principle: read practical texts quickly and argumentative passages carefully
- Include review time (3〜5 minutes) in your allocation from the beginning
Practice
- Explain in Japanese, based on how the questions are created, why the Common Test English Reading section does not include standalone grammar questions.
- Summarize the time-allocation idea "read practical texts quickly and argumentative passages carefully" in your own words within 30 characters.
- Name two risks of not reserving review time.