TOEFL Prepartion Tips

TOEFL Preparation Tips 2021

To fulfill the dream of stepping into one’s dream university, clearing TOEFL is mandatory. A candidate can clear TOEFL by scoring excellent marks easily by following certain tips and tricks. By adopting these tips while preparing for TOEFL, one can migrate to the country they wish for and pursue their higher education, dreamwork, etc.., without any hassles.

Below are the top tips that a candidate should adopt while preparing for the TOEFL exam.

Know the pattern

Before kick-starting your preparations for TOEFL, be thorough on the exam pattern and parameters. The TOEFL exam is conducted under four main sections like Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. So, the candidates should prepare for the exam that fulfills all these four categories.

While preparing for the exams, it is advised to remember these parameters like Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing and practice for the exams.

The pattern for the TOEFL exam is:

Paper-based test

While preparing for the exams, it is advised to remember these parameters like Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing and practice for the exams.

Set a goal

Once you know about the pattern, start with the action plan. It should begin from the fundamental right from choosing the colleges/universities for which you are applying, to knowing the TOEFL score limits of the particular universities, to timetable preparations, etc., Set a target score and work towards achieving it. The TOEFL score limit might differ for the different universities. Select a university that has the highest score limit and work towards it. Because, if you can achieve this highest target score, then you will be automatically eligible for the other universities.

Be wise in choosing test dates

The exam committee will be sending your TOEFL scores to the universities you selected before taking the test. This sending of scores will typically take four weeks if the university is located within US, and if the universities is located outside, then it takes a solid time of eight to 10 weeks. So, before choosing the university and the test date, be wise in choosing. See when the colleges open their registration and select the exam dates accordingly. However, these rules are applicable only for those who are visiting abroad for studying. Nevertheless, those who are flying overseas for other purposes, any of the dates can be selected.

Start early

Give an ample amount of time for the exam preparation. According to the experts, it is said that a good preparation time requires three to six months of time. However, the time taken for exam preparation will vary for every candidate depending upon their English speaking skill and the intensity of preparation. However, to get a good TOEFL score, just the English speaking ability doesn’t help. A solid grammar strength, fluency in talking, and good communication is important. All these require a professional study plan.

Know your strengths and weaknesses

After a point of time, you started preparing for the test, you will come to know about your strengths and weaknesses. List out the areas where you are strong and where you are yet to perform well and then work accordingly.

For example, there are four sections in the test – Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Among these, in the initial phase, give equal time for all the four sections. Once after finding the strengths and weaknesses, segregate your timing and work on it.

Talk more

One of the important sections in the TOEFL test is speaking. Here, your vocabulary, framing of sentences, accent, etc., will be tested. So, the right practice method to excel in this section is speaking more. Always have a good set of encouraging friends with whom you can speak in English. Do not worry about the mistakes, just talk confidently. If you are wrong, ask your friends to correct you. Never hesitate to fix yourself. Your English speaking skills can develop to a greater extent, with more practice.

Underline, circle, mark

May you read the paper, watch/hear the news in English, always have a nose for new and unique words. The more you learn new words, the more will be your language fluency. While you read papers, always have a marker with you. Whenever you come across a new word, mark it without fail. Also, have a standard monologue dictionary with you. Find the right meaning of the new word, and the main aspect is to start using the word in your vocabulary. If you do this continuously, you will visibly see the change in your vocabulary, which is much needed to get good grades in TOEFL.

Follow English news

May you read the paper, watch/hear the news in English, always have a nose for new and unique words. The more you learn new words, the more will be your language fluency. While you read papers, always have a marker with you. Whenever you come across a new word, mark it without fail. Also, have a standard monologue dictionary with you. Find the right meaning of the new word, and the main aspect is to start using the word in your vocabulary. If you do this continuously, you will visibly see the change in your vocabulary, which is much needed to get good grades in TOEFL.

Test day Tips for TOEFL

Sleep well and never miss breakfast

Do not prolong your preparation until the previous night of the examination. Have a good and peaceful sleep. If possible, practice Yoga every day during the exam preparation. It will help in keeping your mind stress-free. Also, never skip breakfast due to exam tension and, at the same time, don’t be too full or follow the improper diet. Always have good and healthy food.

Know answering tricks

Besides preparing well for the examination, it is also important that you know the trick to answer all questions. While taking the test, do read all the questions and do not leave anything. Because, just like the SAT and GRE, there is no negative marking for this exam. So, even though you are not confident about the answer, do answer every question. Also, when you do not know the right answer, apply the ‘process of elimination.’ Since you will be using the probability method, strike out the choices that will mostly be wrong. With this, your probability of choosing the right answer will be more.

Stay calm

TOEFL is one of the long examinations. So, there are a lot of chances to get tensed and mess up the test, especially if you are a first-timer. So try to stay calm during the examination. Always select a peaceful spot while taking the test. Only if you stay calm, you will be able to focus. Also, there will be 10 mins of a break in the middle of the test. Do nice stretches and drink water during the break.