Taking On the TOEFL Examination: Key Aspects for Prior Preparation

The TOEFL certification is very important when taking the decision to study abroad, especially if you are a non-native English speaker seeking education in English speaking countries. By getting a good TOEFL score, students also get the chance to improve their English skills.

 About the test structure

 TOEFL is an internet based examination as the test subjects are delivered exclusively online. Candidates can take the test in secure examination centers all over the world and because they only need a computer to work with, there is relatively no need for a live examiner to be present.

 The test is a useful tool to provide an accurate analysis on the candidates’ listening, reading, speaking and writing skills to perform academic tasks. Since the test’s purpose is to assess to what extent are candidates able to use English in both academic environment and in the day-to-day life, the topics are not inaccessible. So, thorough TOEFL test preparation is likely to increase chances of getting a better test score.

 Before taking the test

 If you are determined to take the test, then hear what you should do your homework on first:

-   Gather the registration info such as the instructions for registration, forms and identification requirements.

-   Browse the internet for the closest test center to your home and ask for the upcoming test dates.

-    Become knowledgeable about payment policies, test procedures and regulation.

-    Visit the main website of the test development organization responsible for TOEFL to get the preparation material.

-    Browse the ETS website as well as other related web sources for examples of free online TOEFL practice test.

Preparing for the reading section

The first section focuses on the reading skills of the candidate, estimating the ability to read and understand given text fragments. To make sure you’re doing your TOEFL test preparation right, you should consider the following:

-   Read as much English literature as possible, both academic and non-academic, regardless if the topic interests you or not.

-   Write basic questions regarding the text you are reading and provide answers to them. Try challenging both your understanding and your imagination by anticipating what comes next in the following paragraph.

-  Review grammar rules used in the paragraph and try to understand them. A grammar book might come in handy.

-   Check your answers by working with a partner and exchanging opinions on the texts you read.

-  Work on your vocabulary constantly by reviewing the terms you don’t understand. Making a plan of new studying words is a good way out for mastering an extensive vocabulary. It is often useful to use contextual meaning in order to understand how to use new words.

-   Pay attention to the structure of the text by extracting main ideas and write a summary of the entire paragraph.

Teach yourself how to listen

The listening section of the test provides an overview of the candidates’ understanding capability regarding oral conversations or lectures. The section aims to challenge the candidate to carry out descriptive and argumentative dialogues. It is advisable to set up a listening routine before taking on a free online TOEFL practice test. So try doing the following:

-   Listen to audio materials in English (movies, radio recordings or audio books for example) and ask yourself the following questions: who, what, when, where, why, how.

-   Keep a list of daily or weekly listening sessions.

-   Summarize the fragments in one sentence and keep record of new expressions, idioms, or vocabulary words.

-   Include dictations in your TOEFL test preparation by asking an English speaker to read out loud to you. Good text sources can be found in newspapers, magazines, and textbooks.

 Improving your speaking skills

 Speaking is the most important aspect when having a conversation, as most human interactions are oral in nature. The speaking section of the test evaluates the students’ ability of expressing themselves freely, regardless the topic. Here are some tips to improve your skills:

-  Try to find native English speakers to have conversations with and time them.

-   Concentrate on clear speaking with good pronunciation and intonation. Be confident and ensure you are well heard by opening your mouth more than you usually do.

-   Books with audio tracks are very useful to get the hang of the pronunciation.

-   Practice English as often as possible and discuss a wide variety of topics and request feedback from speaking partners. An internet chat room might also prove useful to practice speaking.

Tips for accurate writing

The writing section of the test revolves around composing an essay. The student can be asked to agree or disagree with a sentence and provide arguments, describe or explain a situation, imagine “if” situations and make comparisons between two ideas. Here are some guidelines to pass the reading section:

-   Practice taking notes and extracting main ideas.

-   Read contrasting opinions on the same topic and compare their main points.

-   Translate articles from your own language into English.

-   Read a book on ways to connect words. Try to understand expressions and idioms and use them in writing.

Sharpening your writing skills is a bit trickier. For best results find a teacher or an English speaker that can review your writing and point out your mistakes. If you’re using a word editing software, pay attention to the auto-correct option and memorize how words are spelled. Keep track of all of your reading, listening, speaking and writing activities and set goals and deadlines. Good luck.

Author Bio: James Liu, Founder at the BestMyTest. BestMyTest is an online TOEFL e-learning website offering ibt TOEFL practices and teaching materials for students to prepare for TOEFL test. With over 800 high-quality TOEFL sample practices and sample questions, BestMyTest has helped thousands of students improve their TOEFL scores since 2009.