The TOEFL exam evaluates your proficiency and comprehension of the English language as a non native speaker. A lot of things go into the preparation of this exam. TOEFL exam preparation demands the mastering of the four basic skills of the language.Given below are some tips which can help you excel your exam and improve your score.
1. Learning the format
Toefl tests your English proficiency by assessing your four skills : reading, listening, speaking and writing with a total score of 120. It is conducted in two formats :Internet based TOEFL (iBT) and paper based test. It is important to get familiar with both the formats. The score requirement for both the formats is different. Moreover the scores are valid for two years only.
2. Practice is the key
A lot of practice goes into the preparation.Relying on one source for the tests will not be the right choice. Since there are possibilities that the book you are following is the easier one than the official TOEFL.
You can purchase the online available tests, exercise, CDs.Glossary of questions should be an updated one. You can also subscribe to a TOEFL English course which can aid you with advancing your skills.
3. Passive learning
Your learning need not be TOEFL specific . Watching english movies, reading books, listening to podcasts and songs can help with your learning. You will stumble upon a lot of words and phrases which will polish your vocabulary. And learning need not to be boring all the time.
4. Writing under time limit
Writing while the exam clock is sticking can build pressure on you. Beforehand planning can simplify the task for you. Writing should be simple as throwing fancy words and words that you are unsure of will not fetch you marks.Devoting time for planning before actually jumping into writing an essay is advisable.
Finding the right format and structure is necessary. It is also important to leave some time for reviewing the essay. Vocabulary flashcards can help you with developing your vocabulary.
5.Master the reading
TOEFL tests your grammar through reading skills also. To solve these questions you should be well equipped with the academic vocabulary. A thorough reading of the passage can help you answer efficiently.
By practicing reading passages not only you can answer the questions but it helps you answer them on time. During the exam you won’t have the time to re-read the passage.
6.Speaking fluently
Apart from reading , writing and listening, speaking fluently and confidently is the key to get through the exam. You can take some time to think before uttering things. It gives you the time to compose yourself. Using mispronounced words will count as poor performance.Paying attention to oral expressions can help you a lot.Practicing with a native speaker is also important so that you feel confident.
7.Honing your listening skills
Taking mental notes about the intonations, summarizing and making inference also goes into strengthening your listening skills.Listening to lectures and discussions should be the part of practicing listening skills.
TOEFL demands all the skills to be polished to confirm your proficiency in the language. For mastering all these skills like reading, writing , listening and speaking it needs practice. Practice drills can help you refine your skills.
Conclusion
These seven tips will help you to master your exam perfectly. Practice does make a man perfect so performing a lot of mocks and drills can help you get through this exam. Daily practice can make you aware about the weaknesses and strengths. And with little introspection you can improve your score.
