5 Useful Ways to Get the Most out of Your TOEFL Study Sessions

In contrast to what many people believe, preparing for a Test of English as a Foreign Language, well known as TOEFL for better reasons, does not have to be complicated. As a matter of fact, preparing for this English proficiency test can be as fun as reading your favourite book. 

The test is designed to check the English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills of the non-native English speakers. Irrespective of the pretest butterflies, if the candidate has prepared well and is positive, he can positively pass the test with flying colours.

Keep in mind, TOEFL is not about memorizing grammar rules or learn fancy words; it is all about evaluating your skill to use English in everyday life. As compared to other proficiency tests, TOEFL is relatively easy.

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So, if you are studying to get a good score at TOEFL, then the following few points will help in your studies and you will get most of your study sessions:

a)    Give Yourself Enough Time – How much time you need for preparing for TOEFL, depends upon your present English skills. For some, it may be a week and for others, even a few months of study time would be less. However, before you start analysing when should you attempt your TOEFL, it is important that you consider the TOEFL score of the universities you want to apply to. After getting this information, take a practice test from a reputed TOEFL preparation institute in Delhi and find out your current ability with the language. Based on the practice test result, you will be able to figure out how much time and efforts are required to achieve that required TOEFL score.

b)   Be Acquainted With The Test Structure – It’s true that TOEFL is a bit less demanding than other language tests but then if you take it too easy, you will not be able to clear the exam. Much the same as other tests – like IELTS or SAT, it is imperative that you know the structure and pattern of the test. 

Ideally, this should be done in the first few study sessions, as this information memorized thoroughly will give you confidence in the overall test preparation down the line. The basic test structure looks something like this:

i) Reading section – It involves reading 3 to 4 passages followed by answering about 35 to 56 questions. Time duration is 60-80 minutes.

ii) Listening section – As the name suggests, it involves listening to conversations, discussions and classroom lectures, followed by answering about 34 to 51 questions. Time duration is 60 to 90 minutes.

iii) Break – Candidates avail a break of 10 minutes after completing these two sections.

iv) Speaking section – This section involves communicating opinions on accustomed topics. The candidate has to perform six speaking exercises in 20 minutes.

v) Writing section – The section involves writing two essays in 50 minutes, based on the listening and reading sections.

c) Concentrate On Your Weaknesses – The motive of TOEFL is to find your weaknesses and working on them. For this, it is important to take regular practice tests. These tests will help you in figuring out your weaknesses, for instance – if the practice test results show that your writing section is one area that lack proficiency, then obviously you will spend more time practising writing.

d) Plan Out A Strategy – Once done with the steps above, it is time for you to work out a strategy. The simple strategy here is to practice your heart out, more the practice, more the confidence and better will be the final performance. It is important to take timed practice tests. 

e) Get Feedback From a Native Speaking Tutor – A Candidate’s most important investment towards scoring best on the test is enrolling at the TOEFL preparation institute in Delhi. These proficient institutes have native speaking TOEFL tutors, who would help their students in figuring out their mistakes at the right time and personalize every study sessions around these mistakes.

Bonus Tips for the Test Day

a) Start the day with a healthy breakfast

b) Dress comfortably

c) Reach the centre at least half an hour before the exam

d) Even if you know all the instructions, read them thoroughly

e) Remain calm

f) Stop thinking about the questions you have already done

g) Don’t invest too much time on single question

h) Don’t leave any question, choose the best possible answer

Invest in just the right number of hours under right guidance and you will improve your chances of scoring best at your TOEFL.