Guide for Preparing for the TOEFL EXAM

TOEFL Test Preparation Guide Preparation for the TOEFL exam can be a difficult task, but this paper will show you how to knowledgably approach the task, making it easier. The preparation for the test has to start by reviewing and determining your knowledge of the English language in grammar, reading, listening comprehension, speaking, and writing. Unfortunately all schools that teach English are not equal. Most concentrate on speaking and do nothing to teach writing. Consequently, many students who believe they are ready to take the TOEFL test are not ready and have not acquired the level of English that would permit them to take TOEFL test. Unfortunately, most students are not even aware of the basic information about the exam. A competent school, before accepting the you, will give the you a comprehensive test to determine if the you are ready for the test and what are your strong and weak points. A good TOEFL test preparation school will be the one which prepares you completely for the TOEFL exam. It should give you good knowledge about the subjects, give you confidence, and familiarize you with the format of the test and the test conditions. So the aim of TOEFL test preparation should be to prepare you well for all the aspects of the test. The TOEFL exam is necessary for college education and career Taking the TOEFL test is a required step for any non-US educated student wanting to study at a North American, Canadian, British or any university that teaches using English. It is also required from other educational institutions throughout the world. Many occupations require the TOEFL test in order to apply for a job. Once employed, the employer will look with favor on any one that has passed the TOEFL and will determine future promotions. Proper Planning The student before starting their studies should acquaint themselves with the requirements of the TOEFL test. You can do this by visiting the official site of the organization that designed and give the test “Education Testing Service” (ETS). Once you understand the test requirements and have selected an institution with which you plan to study, you need to plan your time for studying and practicing. You should plan on finishing your studies as quickly as possible so as not to lose your interest and the knowledge gained. Depending on your previous general training in English this could take from three to six months. The time depends if you attend a school or study on line. But in any case allow from one to two hours a day for study. Consistency is the important factor, sporadic studying is not a good way to make good progress in your studies. Good Planning It is important that when you select your institute or individual, that you select one that is a native of a English speaking country or uses only native English speakers. This is important for several reasons: One--is to have the proper pronunciation. Two--if you are planning to attend a university the native speaker will know the atmosphere of the university and what is required in its studies and to can help you in understanding the culture of his /her country. Three--English speaking people use many phrasal verbs, idioms, and slang in normal speech—these are not generally known by other than native speakers and often is not taught in the country where you learned English. Another important point is that most institutes that teach English in most of the student’s country omit teaching writing; this is an important part of the TOEFL test and for those who will attend a university. Actually, the TOEFL requirement is not adequate for most universities. Make sure that the person or institute you select teaches university level writing. . Information about TOEFL It is required that your TOEFL test preparation tutor should familiarize you with the format of the exam, registration procedure, fee structure, examination centers, and the marking scheme. You should also be aware of the details of the institute you are likely to get admission to like; the institute code which is required for reporting of the score, minimum TOEFL score acceptable. The higher your score the more options of universities you will have. TOEFL is an exam that is divided into four sections of 30 marks each. In the reading section, the time is 60-90 minutes and there are a total of 36 -70 questions. The listening section has been allotted 60-100 minutes and there are a total of 34-51 questions. After a break there is the speaking section. Speaking section, which is the shortest, has been allotted 20 minutes and there are six tasks of two different types to be done in the assigned time. The writing section lasts for about 50 minutes and you are expected to carry out six tasks in this time. You are not questioned on grammar, but you are expected to understand its usage. The test is more about using your English skills, rather than its theory. Study and Practice You should be aware that TOEFL test is in the four basic skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing. It is important that you have a solid knowledge of English in all four areas. A good vocabulary and good knowledge of English language acquired over the years will be of great help. Even if you decided to study from one of the many books that are available for preparation for the TOEFL, you will need a tutor. All study is self study, but you will need the expertise of a native tutor to clarify things you do not understand and to guide you in your studies. The other part of the TOEFL exam preparation is to practice for all aspects of the exam. You should practice a large number of similar questions of different types and develop techniques to answer them in minimum time during the exam. You should also practice to answer the entire section in the assigned time. You should take practice tests which are generally available with books or on web sites. There is an online practice test by ETS and there is a charge for this. Generally your TOEFL exam preparation tutor takes the responsibility of providing such practice tests. It is difficult to say how many such practice tests are required. Practice is necessary not only to familiarize yourself with the exam format but also to identify your weaknesses. A TOEFL exam preparation tutor provides valuable feedback by correcting you where you are wrong. The feedback should be used to follow it up with regular study to correct the mistakes you have made. A TOEFL exam preparation tutor may also score your performance in the practice tests. The score from these tests will also tell you about your present level of preparation and how much effort you should put to improve your score in the exam. Other Factors The key to do well in an exam is to have confidence in yourself and to be well prepared. A state of low confidence and failure is possible if you have not followed your TOEFL exam preparation tutor instructions. You should make yourself familiar with the exam format, the exam center, and the directions of the exam and the timing of the exam. You should arrive at the exam center early and bring with you all that will be required to take the exam. You will not be permitted to have a cell phone in the exam room or a calculator, TOEFL exam preparation is a combination of four different parts: a good thorough study, dedicated and sincere practice, familiarization with the format and directions of the exam and confidence. These will help you get a high score in the exam. The correct balance of these four elements in your TOEFL exam preparation is very important.