Tips for acing TOEFL

The TOEFL (Exam of English as a Foreign Language) is used by universities and colleges to determine a student’s ability and readiness to operate at a functioning level in an English-speaking classroom. It is commonly taken by students learning English as a second language to ensure that they can engage fully in an American classroom.

About the TOEFL

The TOEFL is the most widely used English test for university admissions in the United States. Anyone who does not speak English as a first language and wants to apply to an American university will almost certainly need to take the TOEFL.

Although a paper-based TOEFL is available, the most popular version is the IBT (internet-based exam), which is completed entirely on a computer. It is often provided at designated testing facilities all around the world.

Tips for acing the TOEFL

Learning consistently

Keep in mind that immersion is the greatest way to learn a language, especially when it is actually spoken on a daily basis. Students shall in fact make it a personal goal to speak English at least once a day, whether with a native English speaker or not. Speaking another language out loud frequently can help with the learning process and build a good habit of actively communicating in English rather than one’s native tongue. Practicing can help students get more comfortable with the language in general, which should result in a higher score over time.

Opt for the earliest date you can get

Your TOEFL scores will arrive at your institutions on time if you take the test early. Beginning 13 days following your exam, TOEFL scores are automatically mailed to the universities you specified at registration.

However, the time it takes for your scores to appear is determined by the location of your school. Scores are normally delivered 20-30 days following the exam date to schools inside the United States and six to eight weeks to institutions outside the United States.

Take the TOEFL as soon as possible, no later than six weeks before your college application deadlines if you’re applying to US colleges. Do not take the TOEFL later than ten weeks before your deadlines if you’re applying to institutions outside the United States.

Work on your vocabulary

You’ll need a wide range of English vocabulary to do well on the TOEFL. Knowing diverse terms makes it easier to grasp what you read and hear in English and offers you the skills to communicate more clearly and effectively in speech and writing.

Start by going through our comprehensive TOEFL vocabulary list. Move on to additional vocabulary lists intended for native English speakers, such as our GRE vocabulary list (which includes printable flashcards that you can use with your roommates in your student accommodation in Texas!) once you’ve mastered these 300+ terms.

Attempt every question

The TOEFL, like the SAT, ACT, and GRE, has no negative markings for incorrect answers given by the candidate. Simply put, you will not lose any points if you answer a question wrong (or not at all). Consequently, you should always answer every question in a section to give yourself the best chance of achieving the desired score.

Every multiple-choice question in the Reading and Listening sections contains four response options. So if you picked one at random, you’d have a 25% chance of being correct.

Finally, if you don’t know how to answer a question or are short on time, it’s far better to guess than to not respond at all.

Take practice tests

Practice taking the examinations is the greatest approach to preparing for the TOEFL. Your teacher will offer you lots of material if you are attending a TOEFL class. You will need to acquire a few crucial materials if you are preparing for the TOEFL on your own. Look for a textbook that includes exercises, vocabulary, practice exams, CDs, and answers with explanations. You might not want to read a book from beginning to end. Along with this, you can take the help of your friends living in the same student accommodation in Austin as you. Work on the portions that are the most difficult for you. Don’t rely on just one book. You may have a book that is far simpler than the official TOEFL. To complement your textbook, look for free samples online. Check that the question types are current.