How to Prepare for TOEFL? Detailed Guide for Indian Students
Many students dream of studying abroad, but getting into a good university involves several processes.
A good university outside India demands a good TOEFL score due to its credibility and popularity as it comprehensively evaluates English language skills. One needs to understand its format and pattern properly to prepare for TOEFL effectively. This blog will discuss essential strategies, plans, study tips and resources to help students prepare effectively.
Overview of TOEFL iBT Exam
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a world-renowned English proficiency test administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service) worldwide. This test assesses the English language skills of a candidate desiring to pursue higher studies abroad. Universities in countries like the USA, UK, Canada, etc., give admission to eligible students who can speak and understand the language well enough to support their academic and personal pursuits.
About 13,000 universities in over 160 countries accept the TOEFL score. Below, we have mentioned some essential reasons to prepare for the TOEFL Exam.
Why Prepare for the TOEFL iBT Test?
- Eligibility Criteria for Universities: The primary reason behind starting preparation for the TOEFL iBT test is that it is the important eligibility criterion for admission into world-renowned universities.
- Flexible for Students: Students aspiring to get a good TOEFL score can appear for the test at home, any day and time. This provides great comfort to those living in distant parts of the country lacking basic connectivity with main cities where TOEFL centres are present.
- Improves English Communication: Even if the aim of getting a good TOEFL score is not to get admission into the dream university outside India, one can also prepare for it to improve their language skills, which are essential in day-to-day life.
- Open the Door of Opportunities: Since TOEFL measures English language skills accurately and is valid for 2 years, most employers outside the country consider it one of the ways to hire a workforce relevant to the job profile.
Editions of the TOEFL iBT Exam
There are two editions of the TOEFL iBT test, which students choose depending on their comfort and flexibility:
TOEFL iBT Test
- Conducted at an authorised test centre by ETS.
- Students can appear for the TOEFL iBT test six days a week.
- Specific dates of TOEFL iBT test depend on the chosen test centre and date.
- It allows students to appear for the exam under real test conditions.
TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- Students can appear for the TOEFL iBT test at home or a suitable place.
- Students can appear for the TOEFL iBT test four days a week.
- Specific dates of TOEFL iBT test (Home edition) depend on the chosen test centre and date.
- Students are required to follow guidelines set by ETS before they start appearing for the test at home.
Also read – 10 Practical Tips to Boost Your TOEFL Score
TOEFL iBT Exam Pattern: Format & Syllabus
Overview of TOEFL iBT Exam
Following is the TOEFL iBT Exam overview, mentioning its significance in tabulated form.
| Official Website | https://www.ets.org/toefl.html |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Mode of Delivery | Internet-based test |
| Editions | TOEFL iBT Test TOEFL iBT (Home Edition) |
| Sections | Reading Writing Speaking Listening |
| Score | Between 0-120 (Total Score) Between 0-30 (Per Section) |
| Validity | 2 Years |
| Importance | Useful for university admissions and strengthening communication skills |
TOEFL iBT Test Sections
Below, we have provided the breakdown of the different TOEFL iBT test sections necessary to begin the TOEFL preparation.
- Reading – 20 questions in 35 minutes
- Listening – 28 questions in 36 minutes
- Speaking – 4 tasks in 16 minutes
- Writing – 2 tasks in 29 minutes
| Sections | Questions/Task | Time Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 20 questions | 35 minutes | Reading passage and responding to questions |
| Listening | 28 questions | 36 minutes | Q/A session based on classroom lectures and discussions |
| Speaking | 4 tasks | 16 minutes | Talk about a general and familiar topic |
| Writing | 2 tasks | 29 minutes | Stating the opinion or answer in written form based on classroom discussion |
Reading Section
The reading section checks how well students can comprehensively read and form their ideas.
Content: 2 passages, each of 700 words
Number of questions: 20 MCQs (10 questions per passage)
Time Duration: 35 minutes
Types of Questions:
- Factual Information & Negative Factual Information
- Inference & Rhetorical Purpose:
- Vocabulary
- Sentence Simplification
- Inert Text Question
- Prose Summary
Listening Section
It evaluates the student’s understanding of the nature and way of delivering topics/discussions in English.
Content: 3 lectures (3-5 minutes each) and 2 conversations (3 minutes each)
Number of questions:
- 6 questions per lecture (18 questions).
- 5 questions per conversation (10 questions).
Time Duration: 36 minutes
Types of Questions:
- Gist Content and Gist Purpose
- Detail
- Function
- Attitude
- Organisation
- Connecting Content
- Inference
Speaking Section
The speaking section of the TOEFL iBT test evaluates the ability of students to speak English effectively in academic pursuits
Content: Tasks based on Independent speaking and Integrated speaking skills.
Number of questions: 4 tasks (45-60 seconds per response)
Time Duration: 16 minutes
Speaking Response: Students must speak into the microphone to respond to questions.
Types of Questions:
- Task 1 or Independent Speaking Task
- Task 2-4 or Integrated Speaking Task
Writing Section
It checks the communication skills of the students in written form when they are supposed to put into academic pursuits.
Content: A passage and online classroom discussion
Number of questions: 2 tasks
Time Duration: 29 minutes
Types of Questions:
- Task 1 or Integrated Writing Task
- Task 2 or Academic Discussion Task
TOEFL iBT Test Syllabus
To commence the TOEFL exam preparation, it is important to understand the test syllabus. In general, there is no specified syllabus for the TOEFL. However, students can expect that TOEFL question paper normally contains topics from the following subjects/streams:
- Agriculture Sciences
- General Knowledge & Current Affairs
- Science & Technology
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
TOEFL exam contents of all four sections are designed to check the English language proficiency, not GK. So, it is essential to start preparation by considering this point.
TOEFL iBT Test Prep: Study Planner, Before and On-Day Test Tips
In the sections below, we will provide the 8-week study plan to help students follow a consistent and regular schedule to ace the test. We also gave useful pre-test and on-day test tips to facilitate their study plan.
Study Planner
The purpose of the TOEFL iBT Test Prep Planner is to prepare students for the test effectively by giving them directions and activities that they can follow. It also guides students in building their English skills to succeed in the test.
Students are advised to begin their preparation journey almost 3 months before the test. This will provide them sufficient time to adapt and follow the strategy for the test.
The chart illustrates each week’s objectives and their respective focus area.
| Weeks | Focus Area | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction of TOEFL iBT Test | Familiarise with test format and syllabus Determine the target score. Take the initial mock test to go through your strengths and weaknesses |
| Week 2 | Speaking Section (Pronunciation, tone, style, fluency, synonyms) | Communicate in the English language to people you are comfortable with Watch English news debates every day Read English blogs or newspapers daily |
| Week 3 | Reading Section (Vocabulary, sentence formation, pronunciation, synonyms) | Read full-fledged English newspapers and blogs daily within a time limit Analyse what you have read and make notes Give mock tests |
| Week 4 | Listening Section (Holding accent and enunciation, assimilation, judging the tone of the speaker) | Listen to English podcasts and audio shows on FM every day and make notes Analyse the notes and infer the basic idea behind the discussion Watch English news, shows and movies (without subtitles) |
| Week 5 | Writing Section (Comprehension of sentence structure, tone, imagination, answer making, formal communication) | Read the basic rules of grammar Write an essay on a familiar topic and get it checked by the tutor Analyse the basic points present in the essay and reframe it |
| Week 6 | Test and Practice | Evaluate your responses by a tutor or expert Analyse your test scores section-wise Focus on weaker points |
| Week 7 | Retest and Preparation for the Test Day | Attempt test in a given time frame Compare and analyse current and previous scores Make revisions |
| Week 8 | Preparation for the final week | Take mock tests and get them evaluated Continue preparation Gather your documents |
Test Prep Strategies
Below, we have mentioned some essential before-registration, after registration and test-day tips for students:
Before Registration
- Visit the official website of the desired college or university to check the minimum TOEFL test scores they set for the particular course.
- For courses like MBA, MiM, Master in Engineering, etc, the cut-off score is higher than average.
- Set your target TOEFL score (depending on the course and university).
- Go through the format, pattern, and syllabus to learn more about the nature of the test.
- Interact with earlier TOEFL participants online and offline. There are various active groups on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Facebook where you can connect with other aspirers.
- Gather an authentic study tool kit like ETS TOEFL Test Ready, which provides sufficient study resources like study guides, mock tests, performance insights, progress trackers, etc.
- Go through the study prep planner and follow the strategies given.
- At the end of each week, give mock tests and analyse your performance for the particular section you were preparing for.
- At the end of the seventh week and before the beginning of the eighth week, give a full-fledged practice test and get it evaluated by the expert.
- When you feel like appearing for a test, arrange and gather all the necessary documents to initiate the registration process on the official website of the ETS.
After Registration
For testing at the centre:
- Before the test day, log into the ETS account to confirm the location and time of the test. If travelling to the centre, determine your route to avoid chaos.
- It is essential to know that applicants must visit the centre at least 30 minutes before check-in.
- Carry a valid ID card to show at the centre during check-in.
For testing at home:
- Meet the equipment and environmental requirements before the test at home.
- Review the operating conditions of the computer before checking in to avoid chaos.
- Rest and avoid unhealthy practices to stay mentally alert during the test.
On the Test Day
- Before the test day, log into the ETS account to confirm the location. And the time of the test. If travelling to the centre, determine your route to avoid chaos.
- It is essential to know that applicants must visit the centre at least 30 minutes before check-in.
- Carry a valid ID card to show at the centre during check-in.
- Sleep early on the night before the test to give your body and mind sufficient time to relax before the test.
- Wake up early in the morning.
- Before appearing for the test, have sufficient good meals like fruits, green vegetables, milk, etc.
- Avoid excessive carbohydrates or fat-based meals because they can make the body sleepy.
- Since the TOEFL test takes 2 hours without any break, use the washroom beforehand.
- Dress appropriately and avoid any attire that can cover the head, face or ears.
- Avoid wearing any religious handwear or attire.
- Do not carry any personal belongings.
- Mobile devices, watches, food, drinks, etc, are not allowed in the testing area.
Test-Taking Tips
- Go through the provided section and know the directions.
- Read each question carefully before responding.
- Avoid spending excess time on any one question.
- Concentrate while giving responses to each question.
- Refrain from thinking about your previous answers and focusing on the current question.
After Test
After the completion of the test, the applicants need to follow the following guidelines:
- The applicant will get the test scores immediately after completing the test.
- Applicants can either choose to report or cancel the scores.
- If you choose to cancel, the scores will not be sent to the institutions, and no refund will be issued.
- In other cases, applicants will be given the date on which they expect to receive their official scores in the ETS account.
Conclusion
Preparation for the TOEFL iBT test is an important aspect which must be addressed. This is because the TOEFL testing standards are significantly high, and it involves a lot of dedication and hard work to get a good score in the exam.
Students can begin their preparation by reading English newspapers, books and blogs to help them develop their pronunciation and vocabulary. This will, in turn, help them build the foundation of writing, listening, and speaking skills. Communicating with friends and family in English can also be a great way to boost confidence and supplement the test preparation.
FAQs
What books should I read for the TOEFL iBT test?
ETS TOEFL iBT Guide is one of the best and most authentic books one can purchase, either online or offline because it is published by ETS, the official test administrator.
It contains a comprehensive and structured syllabus, mock tests and a test prep planner.
Is it hard to prepare for TOEFL?
Preparation with the proper understanding of its format and pattern. Each section of the TOEFL requires a different approach, so it is necessary to form the strategy well before beginning the preparation.
Consistency and perseverance in preparation are required to ace the TOEFL exam.
What are the fees for making a TOEFL application?
The TOEFL exam fee in India costs around 200 USD or INR 16,900, which is non-refundable.
If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
