TOEFL: 12 Best Methods To Prepare For It

WHAT IS TOEFL ?

DISCLAIMER: TOEFL® is a registered trademark of Educational Testing Service (ETS).

The TOEFL test is intended to assess non-English speakers’ English skills by testing their writing, reading, listening, and speaking abilities.

HOW CAN I PREPAE FOR THE TOEFL EXAM ?

Whether you are preparing for the actual TOEFL test or just want to learn English through testing, these tactics can provide you with the information you need. With proven strategies, you will be able to successfully prepare for your test and pass it like a pro.

1. Become familiar with the TOEFL test's format.

Comprehend the TOEFL material. The TOEFL always consists of three sections: reading, listening, and writing, regardless of the method you choose to undertake. A speaking part is already included in the online part of TOEFL.

1. Internet-based test (IBT)

The Internet-based exam appears as follows:

Reading: 60-80 minutes | 36-56 questions
Listening: 60-90 minutes | 34-51 questions
10-min break.
Speaking: 20 minutes | 6 tasks
Writing: 50 minutes | 2 essays

2. Paper-based test

The paper-based test looks like this:

Listening: 30-40 minutes| 50 questions

Writing: 25 minutes | 40 questions

Reading: 55 minutes | 50 questions

TWE test: 30 minutes | write one essay

Choose the method you wish to use. It should be noted that the exam is now usually taken through the Internet. The paper-based exam is becoming increasingly unpopular.

2. Understand the purpose of taking TOEFL test.

Knowing why you are taking the test is crucial for being well-prepared.

As an illustration, suppose you’re taking the test for the following reasons:

Taking a formal exam to determine your English proficiency.
To gain acceptence from an educational institute
For a job or course.
To fulfill an immigration requirement.

Evaluate your reason for sitting for the TOEFL exam. You can then utilize this knowledge to assist you to better concentrate on your study time. For instance, it will be crucial to perform well on the speaking and listening parts if you’re taking the test for a profession that requires a lot of phone calls.

3. Set a minimum score in your mind.

Different objectives call for various minimum results. Make sure you first understand the score requirement you must meet in order to succeed. Next, decide what grade you want to achieve. This is your desired (ideal) score. For instance, the required minimum score for admission to Arizona State University is 500. However, 530 could be my preferred mark.

On a piece of paper or a Post-it note, jot down your desired and minimum scores. Post it somewhere you will see it frequently. You could post it on the fridge, the bathroom mirror, or the wall behind your desk. You’ll be reminded to study so that you may accomplish your objective every time you glance at the piece of paper.

Make sure the score you want is achievable. This implies to pick a score that you may reasonably earn rather than one that is excessively high. Take a practice exam to see where you are right now and make sure you could get your desired score. What is the minimum and optimum score that you need to achieve? How long do you have till the test to study? How much hours can you dedicate to studying each week? Your responses to these inquiries will aid you in selecting a reasonable ideal score.

4. Construct Three Perfect Study Areas.

To get the grade you want, you need a nice study environment. Make your own study area by following these suggestions:

Find the top three places you would like to study. Your room, a library, a café, your office, your living room, or anything else may be the location. However, it’s crucial that you feel at ease in the surroundings. For how many? If you feel unmotivated in your room one day, then you can always more to the library or your favorite coffee place, for example.

Make a calm area. Consider creating a distraction-free environment while selecting your study areas. Inform your loved ones that you are studying so they won’t bother you. Sign out of social media platforms and switch off your cellphone.

Plan your meal, snack, and break times. You will be able to concentrate better throughout study time if you plan your breaks. You won’t forget to eat if you plan beforehand! Additionally, eating well will improve your ability to focus. To ensure that you get enough water when studying, keep a bottle of water nearby.

Be mindful of this. For a happy attitude, exercise and practice meditation or relaxation techniques. The meditation apps Calm and Headspace are great. It might also be quite helpful to take three calm, deep breaths.

5. Obtain a study manual.

Here are some pointers for the various portions of a TOEFL study guide like this one’s exercises:

Reading. Mark important passages with underlining and make notes inside the book or on paper. Review your mistakes after checking your responses. Throughout the practice activities, you can use your dictionary if necessary.

Listening. As you listen, jot down notes to assist you recall specifics. Just jot down the key concepts rather than entire phrases.

Writing. Write out your thoughts after giving the subject some thought. Make an outline with your introduction, key points, and conclusion included. Once you have a plan, begin writing. After you’re done, look it through and fix any errors.

Speaking. Don’t speak about anything else; only respond to the specific question that was posed. Ensure simplicity. Learn to communicate in a casual manner.

6. Seek help from a tutor or experienced friends.

You don’t have to go through with it alone. Peers (other pupils) and instructors can offer help.

Get a tutor or instructor
The guidance and assistance you will get from a teacher or tutor will be knowledgeable and professional. These individuals can provide you with specialized and individualized activities and assistance since they have expertise explaining grammatical principles.

7. Practice General English Reading.

You will read certain texts and respond to questions about them in the reading segment of the TOEFL exam. All of the issues are presented in plain English that everyone can comprehend. Here are some ideas for getting ready:

Every day, spend 30 minutes reading.
Begin reading for 30 minutes every day while paying close attention.

Question yourself
Every few paragraphs, pause, and ask yourself some probing questions. For instance, what was the topic of the book, what was the primary struggle, what was the key premise, etc. For more information, reread the narrative. Summarize what you read at the end of the chapter. To simultaneously practice for the writing and speaking portions, you can complete your summary either orally or in writing.

get more vocabulary
Be remember to underline new words as you practice reading. Look them up in a dictionary to learn what they mean, then jot them down in a journal or on flashcards. As you go about your day and as you work on your speaking and writing, use these new words into your phrases.

8. Practice listening to English while keeping your learning objectives in mind.

You will hear several speakers in the listening portion, both in monologues (one person speaking alone) and conversations (two or more people conversing). After that, you’ll respond to inquiries depending on what you heard.

9. Before the test, practice writing in a limited amount of time.

PHere are some points to help you develop your timed writing skills:

Everyday, write in English. Write in English in your notebook, emails, grocery lists, to-do lists, letters, and even Facebook postings. Set your timer for 15 to 25 minutes when journaling, writing letters, or creating blog entries to get acclimated to writing in English for a while. Even if you aren’t working on a specific exam topic, pay attention to your grammar.

Verify your work for typos and grammar errors. Do not neglect to use proper punctuation. To verify your grammar and spelling, use Grammarly. Ask a friend or a teacher to edit your writing if at al

10. Practice speaking English by yourself and with others.

The TOEFL speaking part is divided into manageable assignments. Speaking to a computer could seem unusual at first, but don’t be concerned. You should practice speaking out and out loud to get ready.

Even if you’re alone, practice your speaking

Say your response aloud when taking a practice exam or performing specialized TOEFL exercises rather than murmuring it under your breath or repeating it silently “in your brain.” Be clear and audible.

With your teachers, classmates, or friends, hone your communication abilities.

Playback recordings of your conversations with friends or teachers. Ask them to comment on your usage of language, clarity, and pronunciation. Make a list of the mistakes you make frequently so you can continue to practice by yourself.

11. Apply internal and external techniques.

Learning comes in two flavors: passive and active. Make sure both methods are utilized in your study strategy.

Active education

Active learning occurs when you put forth effort and study with a purpose.

Passive education

Without effort, passive learning occurs in a natural way. Use English in your leisure time and for enjoyment even when you are not actively studying to learn it this way. For instance:
Watch a movie or a TV show without feeling compelled to use a dictionary. Choose your favorite movie and rewatch it.

Again, avoid reading with a dictionary, and pick a book that will hold your attention. For my ESL students, I frequently recommend reading Agatha Christie books. They read quickly and easily, but not too easily. You’ll want to finish reading since they are engaging detective novels in order to learn who the culprit is.

without having a specific learning objective in mind, speak or write in English online. There are a huge number of Facebook groups available.

12. Perform practice exams

It makes sense to practice taking tests if you are getting ready for one.

Track your development. To gauge your progress, use the mock exams from your study guide. Review your errors and work on the areas where you are having trouble. Take the same exam once more a few weeks later. Check for improvements by comparing your results.

Set up a testing environment. Pretend you are taking a real exam when you take practice exams. You should time your practice exam carefully and in a calm area.