If you are hoping to attend university or college in an English-speaking country, the TOEFL will play an important role in your success. The test measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand North American English as it is spoken, written and heard in college and university settings. The total duration of the TOEFL test is around four and a half hours and the minimum being 3 hours 10 minutes. Therefore, it is imperative you understand how to prepare for the TOEFL test day. What kinds of English do you need to know? How to improve test-taking abilities?
We have summed up around 8 foolproof tips, helping you prepare for TOEFL accordingly and give you enough confidence to succeed on test day.
- Making reading practice more effective: The only way to improve the reading practice for the TOEFL test is by actively reading. Try to read at least 20 minutes every single day during your preparation time using articles, books, and stories. A variety (mix) of different materials is best, such as Newspapers, E-News articles, Easy books, Short Stories, etc.
- Engaging free times in passive reading: Passive reading is when you read something in English without a learning objective (goal) in mind. Fun magazines, comics, Facebook posts or blogs are great for passive reading.
- Improve Your Vocabulary: To excel at both English and the TOEFL, you’ll need to master many tough vocabulary words. A large part of the TOEFL is knowing lots and lots of English words, especially academic vocabulary, so it’s important you know which words you’ll need to study for the TOEFL
- Use a language learning app or website: Applications or websites which help you learn the English language, help you find keywords and provide grammatical patterns to practice. In addition, these resources track your progress and give you a detailed report of your growth.
- Converse with Native English Speakers: Because there’s a speaking portion on the TOEFL, you’ll need to ensure your speaking abilities are up to par. The best way to practice speaking English is with native English speakers. Native English speakers are people whose first language is English, regardless of the country in which they grew up. If your country or community doesn’t have many native English speakers, try to see whether there are any English-speaking groups or classes you can join instead.
- Learn the TOEFL Test Format: You must have thorough knowledge about what exactly what to expect on test day, from what kinds of sections you’ll face to how many questions you’ll need to answer within a certain amount of time.