TOEFL is one the most internationally recognized English proficiency tests requires a proper strategy and following some tips to achieve good scores. It is a test that can open and offer numerous academic and professional opportunities.
In this blog, we will be giving you TOEFL test preparation tips and strategies to master your skills and make sure you achieve good scores on your first attempt.
What is TOEFL?
TOEFL stands for the test of English as a foreign language. It is a necessary test to pass to study in an English-speaking country. It tests your listening, speaking, and reading English skills and how you use them to perform tasks.
It is a test taken by millions of people and accepted by around 11000 schools worldwide.
Types of TOEFL Tests
TOEFL tests are primarily of two types: the IBT, or the internet-based test, which is 3 hours, and the paper-based test, or PBT; the duration to complete this is 2 hours.
TOEFL Test Preparation Areas
While there are numerous ways to prepare for this test, like consulting a tutor or online resources, identifying your mistakes and weak spots is crucial. We have gathered tips and strategies for TOEFL test preparation to help you navigate this overwhelming process.
You need to focus on three important areas while preparing for this test.
First is getting to know or familiarizing yourself with the test format and style. The test has four sections, and the first section is reading, in which you are given passages to read and answer the related questions.
The next part is listening, followed by speaking and writing exercises. Each of these sections is to be completed within the given period.
The next area is focusing on your goal. To get accepted into your dream schools, you need to be focused and set a goal of getting maximum scores on the test. Every school has different requirements and test scores, so you should be prepared enough to get scores many schools accept.
Finally, it would help if you made a good study plan. It would help to practice regularly to strengthen your skills and score well in all four test sections. One way to practice is through the online preparatory tests available online. By setting a time and practicing, you can get familiar with the test and maximize your chances of scoring well.
Top Tips and Strategies for TOEFL Success
While consistency and hard work are essential factors in determining the test outcome, by implementing these tips and strategies you can appear in the test with clarity and focus.
- First, understand the structure of the TOEFL test, get to know the sections, and practice each one individually.
- Take as many mock tests as possible. These will help you work on your weaknesses like time management.
- The test’s listening, reading, and writing part allows you to take notes, so practice your note-taking before the test.
- Practice speaking English with people around you, like your friends or family members, to reach a fluent stage in speaking.
- Practice and prepare for the test, considering that the test is lengthy and needs attention throughout.
- Eat a proper breakfast before appearing for the test to make sure your energy level is maintained throughout the long hours of the test. Also, keep candies and a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated while doing the test.
- Try to reach the exam location before the test starts to tackle the exam day nervousness.
- Try to attempt all the questions on the test. If you are still trying to figure out some answers, guess it. In this way, you can maximize your chances of getting good marks.
- Lastly, remember to practice before appearing in the test. Practice makes a man perfect, so do not procrastinate and get to practicing to achieve good scores.
Tips to Fetch Good Scores in Each Section
As mentioned, TOEFL is divided into 4 sections: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. It is important to score well in each section to get a good final score. We have some tips on focusing on each section of the test.
Writing
Writing English is a skill you can polish by practicing and learning the basics of grammar. You need to know the usage of the parts of speech like verbs, nouns and adjectives. You can also get help from online sources like chat-gpt and Grammarly to ensure you are on the right track. An additional tip is getting your writing evaluated by an expert.
Reading
The TOEFL tests reading section incorporates high-level articles and texts; for this reason, it is crucial to practice reading articles centered on physical sciences, social sciences, and others. Another way is reading news articles to enhance your vocabulary.
Listening
The listening part of the test judges the students’ listening skills on an academic level. It is better to listen to podcasts with TOEFL-related topics to enhance vocabulary and listening skills instead of relying on media and TV shows.
Speaking
To score high in the speaking section, it is necessary to have a good grip on listening and reading skills. For this reason it is important to practice speaking using the right grammar and get familiarized with the basic and advanced grammar rules to speak fluently.
Conclusion
TOEFL test is an important test that is accepted by thousands of schools in English-speaking countries worldwide. Practicing and following some tips is crucial to attain good scores on this test. For this reason, we have gathered a list of tips and strategies for TOEFL test preparation to ensure you achieve your desired scores and get into your desired school.
Succeeding in this test relies more on your level of confidence and preparation. By following the tips and strategies mentioned above, test takers can give the test with clarity and focus.