According to a report by PTI citing data from the Educational Testing Service, the percentage of Indian test takers appearing in TOEFL for employment or immigration grew by 59% over 2021. This indicates a 53% rise in exam takers in 2021 compared to 2020.
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an internationally accepted standardised test that measures an individual’s ability in English in the four communication skills of reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
A close look at eminent TOEFL coaching online websites like AbroAdvice.com will help you understand this not exam aims to offer a fair, unbiased, and accurate reflection of the test taker’s capabilities in an actual classroom setting. A three-hour long test, the TOEFL has traditionally been administered on the internet (TOEFL iBT), on paper ( TOEFL PBT), or in the classroom (TOEFL ITP).
Considering its significance in admissions at over 11,500 schools, preparing for the test is crucial for students who desire to enrol in universities in English-speaking countries. Today’s well-detailed post teaches certain foolproof strategies for passing the exam with flying colours.
Let’s dive right in!
- Become Familiar with the Format
According to reputed study abroad consultants of eminent education consultancy websites like AbroAdvice.com, the TOEFL is divided into four major sections with a 10-minute break between the second and third parts. The exam starts with a reading section. This segment asks exam-takers to read passages and respond to 30-40 questions in 55-72 minutes based on the exact number of questions.
Similarly, the listening segment of the exam can range from 41-57 minutes to answer 30-39 questions about classroom discussions and brief lectures. After the break, the 17-minute speaking section challenges pupils to discuss a familiar topic and the reading and listening material. The exam ends with a 50-minute writing exercise where pupils must read a passage, listen to a recording, and craft a response.
- Get Your Hands on a Study Guide
Before you embark on your TOEFL preparation journey, ensure you get a comprehensive study guide. An excellent book will outline all the segments and offer practical advice, strategy pointers, mock tests, and practice answers.
- Practice Making Notes
On the day of the exam, you must make notes from audio clips you will listen to. As per the notes, you must answer a couple of questions and write or speak on the specific topic you heard in the audio. However, there is a catch here. This audio can be played only once, so you need to be excellent at taking notes.
To score remarkably in this section, it is essential to have a command of note-taking. The objective should be to take notes in real time without missing any crucial aspect of the speaker’s message.
- Take Practice Tests
When preparing for the TOEFL, it is essential to always aim for a specific score. During your TOEFL preparation period, you will be able to know whether you’re nearing your goals only by taking practice tests. Taking practice tests will also enable you to get a feeling for the test environment, types of questions, and the constraints you’ll face on the exam days.
- Read Everyday
Do you know even native English speakers tend to develop their vocabularies by reading? The more widely you read, the more exposure you will get to critical concepts and vocabulary. Start reading broadly and closely to expand the diverse range of subjects you’re comfortable with in English.
- Focus on Single Words & Expressions
During your listening test, you may not comprehend every word. What matters is that you look for vocabulary and expressions that can offer a certain general understanding of the subject.
To recognise the connection between numerous ideas, you can also search for signal words or phrases that connect them, such as ‘in comparison,’ ‘for instance,’ ‘therefore,’ ‘furthermore,’ and the like.
- Practice Timed Writing and Speaking
Remember, TOEFL is a timed test. Hence, you need to train yourself to ace every segment within the specified timed limit. Further, the writing segment of the test comprises 2 lengthy questions that must be answered within the given time limit. Also, ensure you practice writing at least 2 questions everyday while adhering to the allocated time slot.
Additionally, the answers to the speaking segment are recorded through the microphone. Hence, you should practice speaking answers in the same set using a microphone. Listen to the recorded answers, write down vital aspects you need to enhance, and work on your fluency and pronunciation to perform remarkably on the test.
- Learn to Touch Type
The writing segment of the test demands you to type accurate answers on an unfamiliar computer with a QWERTY keyboard. If you spend all your time striving with a keyboard, you will not have much time left to craft an excellent essay.
Thus, ensure you can type in English on a Qwerty keyboard quickly, well before your exam date. You can also use numerous free online tools to learn touch typing.
- Make a Game of It
Test preparation doesn’t have to be all discipline, focus, and pressure all the time. When you get the opportunity to lighten your workload, seize it.
When you make your TOEFL preparation a game, it makes the journey more memorable by creating a huge impact than simply reading something in a study guide. For things like vocabulary, try playing Pictionary or Scrabble. To practice speaking, try memorising song lyrics and record yourself.
- Manage Time
Managing your time effectively is vital in the exam. Test-takers must develop remarkable time-management strategies to make sure they can complete all the segments of the exam within the time limit. You can start the process by allocating a specific amount of time for every section of the test.
Signing Off,
Preparing for the TOEFL exam requires a combination of hard work, immense dedication, and effective study strategies. By starting early, comprehending the test format, taking practice tests, improving your vocabulary, and managing your time effectively, you can considerably increase your chances of securing high scores on the TOEFL exam. Here’s wishing you all the luck!