| Every year tens of thousands of students appear for | | | | Teaching another person is a great way to learn. |
| the TOEFL. Most of these students study on their | | | | Build up your stamina |
| own, while a small percentage of them take coaching | | | | The TOEFL test takes a long time to write. If you are |
| classes and tutorials. Here are some tips for studying | | | | appearing for the iBT or CBT, you can expect to be at |
| for TOEFL. | | | | the computer for 4 hours. Therefore, students who |
| Familiarize yourself with the three TOEFL formats | | | | have a short attention span must work on building up |
| TOEFL has three formats: paper based, computer | | | | their stamina. Start off with short study sessions, and |
| based and internet based. Make sure you find out | | | | work up to longer ones. It is absolutely necessary that |
| which test you will be taking before you start studying | | | | you get a good night's sleep before this test. You |
| for the TOEFL. If your country uses the iBT you have | | | | cannot afford to be tired. |
| to take this test. | | | | Arrive prepared |
| Research TOEFL score requirements | | | | Arrive on time with all of the things you need. If you |
| TOEFL is a source of anxiety for most international | | | | are writing the paper based test you should have a |
| students who are not educated in English. But | | | | number of pencils, a pencil sharpener, and a few |
| remember that it is almost unavoidable. Required | | | | erasers that don't smudge. You will also need a pen to |
| TOEFL scores vary by institution, usually, the more | | | | write the essay on the CBT if you choose not to type |
| prestigious the university, the higher the required | | | | it. Don't forget any papers that ETS sends you to |
| TOEFL score. | | | | prove that you have registered. |
| So contact your selected university or college to | | | | Pace yourself |
| determine their score requirements. On the TOEFL | | | | Never spend longer than a minute on one question. |
| Web site at you'll find a list of 6,000 institutions that | | | | You will only have 30 minutes to write the essay at |
| accept TOEFL scores. You can also view a list of | | | | the end of the CBT. Spend at least 5 minutes planning |
| score requirements for some representative | | | | your essay. Save at least 5 minutes to check your |
| universities. | | | | work. |
| Remember that the scores for the paper based test | | | | Use the tutorials |
| are different than the scores for the CBT and iBT. | | | | On the CBT there are tutorials to help you understand |
| The average minimum score required is approximately | | | | how to answer the questions properly. Don't skip the |
| 550 (paper test) or 215 (CBT) or 70 (iBT). Some | | | | tutorials. You get extra time to use them. They will help |
| schools will look at your scores from different sections. | | | | you to feel comfortable. |
| Many universities expect you to have better writing | | | | Learn about the CAT (computer adaptive testing) |
| skills than speaking skills. TOEFL scores are only valid | | | | The first two sections of the CBT are computer |
| for two years. | | | | adaptive. That means that you will be given a few |
| Learn academic English | | | | questions that are of medium difficulty. After you |
| The TOEFL measures your ability to succeed in an | | | | answer those questions, the computer will determine |
| American university or college. So your focus must be | | | | which questions to give you next. The first 10-15 |
| on studying language that you would hear on campus | | | | questions in each part are extremely important. If you |
| and terms that you would hear in the classroom. Read | | | | answer these correctly, your score will be much higher. |
| textbooks, newspapers, encyclopedias, journals and | | | | The questions that come later are important, but do |
| research articles. | | | | not count as much towards your score. Don't guess |
| Use practice tests | | | | wrong in order to get easier questions! |
| Take practice tests. If you attend a TOEFL class, your | | | | Answer every question |
| teacher should be able to provide you with plenty of | | | | Never skip a question. If you don't know the correct |
| study material. If you are studying for the TOEFL on | | | | answer, make an educated guess. On the CBT, you |
| your own, you will have to purchase a few key | | | | cannot skip a question and go back to it. You have to |
| resources. Find a textbook that has grammar | | | | answer a question and confirm that you are happy |
| exercises, vocabulary, practice tests, and explanatory | | | | with your answer. You cannot change your answers, |
| answers. Work on the sections that you find most | | | | so double check to be sure. The reading section is not |
| challenging. Don't just rely on one book. Also make | | | | computer adaptive. You can skip or change questions, |
| good use of the ESL resources available online. | | | | but only if you have extra time. You can always go |
| Find a mentor | | | | back on the paper test, but students rarely find time to |
| You will have many questions that your textbook can't | | | | do this. |
| answer for you. It is, therefore, important that you have | | | | Make your corrections clear |
| someone who will answer your questions and | | | | If you are taking the paper test, remember that a |
| encourage you when you feel down. If you cannot | | | | machine will be marking your test. Only one circle must |
| afford a tutor, find a student who has studied for the | | | | be filled in. Fill it in all the way using a sharp dark pencil. |
| test before. Sometimes other students can give you | | | | Do not use pen! If you erase something, make sure it is |
| excellent hints and help you with grammar questions. | | | | completely erased. Many students lose points for being |
| You might be able to help them with questions too. | | | | sloppy with their pencils and erasers. |