TOEFL
TOEFL serves as proof of your English language proficiency. You’ll need to have your TOEFL scores on hand if you are planning on pursuing your studies abroad in a country that uses English to impart knowledge.
In terms of purpose, TOEFL is similar to other English proficiency exams such as IELTS. As simple as it may seem, preparing for the TOEFL exam needs more than just a few days of preparation.
Apart from education, TOEFL opens you up to a lot of different opportunities. This involves jobs, scholarships, etc. Just like any other exam, the more you score the better.
In order for you to master the subtleties behind the exam and to learn how you can do your best, you’ll need proper training from an experienced institution. But before we get into that, let’s see a quick overview of the exam.
Why Should You Choose TOEFL?
Over the years, the number of English qualification exams has grown to a significant amount.
You might feel a little overwhelmed when presented with so many exam options in front of you or might still be feeling skeptical even after choosing one. The following points should clear all your doubts.
1. Trouble-Free Test Booking
ETS is the company that organizes TOEFL exams and they’ve shifted their entire system online making it so easy for the students to book exams.
TOEFL is an internet-based testing system and it’s not dependent on the old-fashioned pen and paper system anymore. TOEFL iBT allocates more than 50 test dates every year.
2. Finish Your Test In One Sitting
You can complete your entire TOEFL exam in one sitting without having to come back again for your speaking test.
IELTS, for example, would provide you with a separate date for your speaking test which also has an impact on the time of arrival of your test results. Completing the exam in one sitting accelerates the entire process.
3. Multiple Choice Questions
Tests like IELTS would require you to manually write or type in your answers. This does not mean that TOEFL comprises only multiple-choice questions but it is safe to say that most questions are MCQs. The odds of you making errors is considerably low when you choose TOEFL.
TOEFL Test Pattern
Divisions | Questions/Division | Time Allocation |
Listening | 34-51 | 60-90 minutes |
Reading | 36-56 | 60-90 minutes |
Writing | 2 Tasks | 50 minutes |
Speaking | 6 Tasks | 20 minutes |
1. The Reading Section
You’ll receive 3 to 4 passages taken from university-level textbooks which you’ll have to quickly go through and answer the questions.
The key is to derive answers from those huge passages within the given time. You’ll receive 3 types of questions, they are:
- Multiple Choice Questions.
- Inserting text into a paragraph.
- Sorting information into a table or a chart.
2. The Listening Section
The number of recordings you receive would vary from one text to the other but usually, the number is somewhere around 4 to 6.
Most questions are MCQs and some might ask you to list the event in the order they took place.
3. The Writing Section
Integrated & Independent Writing are the two portions in any given TOEFL writing test. You’ll have to allocate at least 20 minutes for the first part and you’ll have to provide your answers somewhere between 150 to 230 words.
You will have to write at least 300 words for the second part, therefore, needing more time.
4. The Speaking Section
The test taker has to apply more than one skill when it comes to the speaking test.
The first two tasks will ask you to explain your own ideas or opinions about something whereas the following ones might ask you to read, listen, and then to speak.
Understand The Scoring System
- Each division inside the test will require you to demonstrate various aspects of the language.
- Every section will add up to 30 marks and therefore you'll write the entire test for 120 marks.
- This doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily receive 30 questions per section.
- Your marks on the writing section totally depend on your grammar and usage of vocabulary. The more errorless your passages are, the more marks you get.
- Speaking test would put your English clarity to test. You’ll have to clearly convey the examiner what you’re trying to say.
- The duration of a TOEFL exam is no more than 3.5 hours and you'll even have a 10-minute break in-between.
- You'll have to complete all the four sections (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) within this interval.
There are four separate sections in any given GMAT exam with each having their time limits. Throughout your exam, managing your time properly is going to be your hardest choice.
In most cases, you’ll have to calculate the time that you’ll need for every individual question before you even start answering.
Why Should You Choose IntStu Aspirations?
The trainers over at IntStu Aspirations have been delivering the higher standard of coaching for years. We believe that a student should get the best possible guidance in all aspects and not just in terms of coaching.
We have been coaching our students to excel in various language proficiency tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, DET & CELPIP.
Throughout our journey, we’ve been perfecting our teaching methods to suit students coming from diverse backgrounds.
All our trainers have received acknowledgement and certifications from various organizations such as the British Council, IDP, PTE, Princeton Review, and the ETS. With IntStu Aspirations, you can be sure of receiving the best support than elsewhere.
Things to remember
-
Time Management:
You’ll have to plan each section ahead of time. (Listening - 60 - 90 minutes, Reading - 60 - 90 minutes, Writing - 50 minutes, Speaking - 20 minutes) -
Take It Slow :
Most students get nervous and tend to make mistakes when given a short time bracket. Take it slow and slowly pick up the pace rather than messing it up from the start. -
Focus On Vocabulary :
No matter how big your answer is, if your grammar isn’t good enough, your scores might drop. -
Take Notes :
This tip is going to come in handy during the listening test. Taking quick notes will help you retain more things than usual.
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FAQ
No, you get graded for the answers you write and there’s no negative marking involved.
There’s no good or bad when it comes to your TOEFL scores. Although, you will have to satisfy the basic requirement that your university demands. Managing to score above 105 is good in general.
The answer to this question depends on the skill level that you currently have. Our trainers would come up with a custom-made plan for you by analyzing your mock tests.
