What Is the TOEFL?
The TOEFL (“Test of English as a Foreign Language”) is a standardized
test that measures a test-taker’s mastery of the English
language. TOEFL scores are primarily used by universities as
part of the admissions process.
Typically, those who take the TOEFL want to
attend university or graduate school abroad. But anyone who needs to
demonstrate a mastery of English for an academic purpose can take the TOEFL.
This includes anyone applying to a foreign high school, exchange
program, community college, or for a student visa.
The TOEFL focuses on how
English is used in an academic setting, which is why schools and
universities use TOEFL scores for admissions purposes. The reading passages in
the TOEFL use formal, academic language and high-level vocabulary rather than
casual or conversational English.
Why Take the
TOEFL?
Academic language is often dense and formal, so even people
who’ve studied English for many years can struggle in an English academic
environment. Before a university accepts you into an academic program, the
admissions board wants to know that you can handle the course load of an
English-based program: they use your TOEFL score as a
standardized metric for your English skills.
If you’re an international student applying to schools in a
country where the primary language is English, you’ll most likely be required
to take the TOEFL as part of your application. Many schools accept scores from
other English tests as well, but the TOEFL is currently the most popular
English-language assessment test.
9,000 universities in 130 countries accept TOEFL scores,
including the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. All schools
in the top 100 universities in the world accept the TOEFL. If you’re interested
in attending an English language university, it’s likely that
your school of choice will either require or accept TOEFL scores.
TOEFL Types
The vast majority (97%) of all TOEFLs taken are Internet-based tests
(IBTs). For
an IBT TOEFL, students take the test on a provided computer in a
testing room, usually next to several other people also taking the test.
The minority (3%) of all TOEFLs are paper-based tests (PBTs).
The PBT doesn’t test students’ speaking skills, so the
test-makers are phasing out these types of tests. As of 2016, you can only
take a PBT in test centers where internet testing isn’t available.
Many universities will only accept IBT TOEFL scores. So make
sure to double-check your school international admissions pages if you’re
taking the PBT.
No matter the type of TOEFL you take, you can take
the test as many times as you want to. The only exception to this
rule is that you cannot take the test again if you’ve taken a
TOEFL any time in the past 12 days.
How To Get a High Score on the TOEFL Test?
Now that you know what TOEFL is used for and what it tests,
we’ll cover strategies to do well. Even if your English skills are well above
average, it’s a good idea to incorporate a few tips and strategies into your
studying and test-taking. That way you can do your absolute best on test
day. Here through a few TOEFL tips.
#1: Determine
Whether or Not You Even Need to Take the TOEFL
Some schools don’t require TOEFL scores, so you may not even need to take the
test!
Your TOEFL scores are valid for two years. So if you’re currently undecided
about your future academic plans and you have some time (and money) to spare,
then you might want to think about taking the test, regardless. This will
give you some flexibility for your academic future, whether or not
you think you need a TOEFL score right now.
If, however, you feel as though you don’t have time to study or
are reluctant to take the test for any reason, then double-check to see if
you must take the TOEFL. If you can avoid taking the TOEFL,
you’ll save yourself considerable time and effort.
First, make a list of all the colleges or universities to which
you want to apply. Next, go directly to their websites or Google “[college
name] + international admissions.”
Almost always, the first link that pops up will be the page
you’re looking for. Here, you can check to see whether international students
must take the TOEFL or any other English comprehension test.
Most major universities accept the TOEFL, but you’ll always want
to double-check to be sure. If the school doesn’t say whether
or not it accepts the TOEFL on the admissions page, then contact the
school’s admissions office directly. After all, you don’t want to
study and pay for a test if your school of choice won’t accept it!
Some schools require the TOEFL, some don’t, and some will waive
the requirement if you meet other criteria. Always, always double
check what your school(s) require before you apply!
#2: Brainstorm
Some Speaking and Writing Topics Before the TOEFL
It’s easy to find that you’re unable to come up with
anything to say when you’re asked to talk about yourself. Unfortunately, you’ll
be asked to both speak and write about yourself several
times throughout the test.
Before test-day, make a list of hobbies you enjoy (or just have
the vocabulary to talk about). This way, you can feel more relaxed and prepared going into
the test. You don’t even have to tell the truth in this section—the
test graders just want to see if you can speak articulately—so feel
free to make up your answers!
To prepare further, you can even create some
template phrases that you can match to different topics. Even
small preparations and small pre-prepared phrases can give you much more
confidence going into the test.
(Note: be careful not to go too overboard with your templates!
Your grader wants to see how fluid your speech is, and
trying to adapt several pre-prepared sentences to a topic will sound
awkward.)
For your templates, come up with some transition phrases
that you can then finish with your specific speaking topic, rather than
trying to pre-form and adapt complete sentences. For example, one
of your listening tasks will always be to discuss a student’s opinion on a
problem and two possible solutions. From this information, you can make
yourself some sentence skeletons, such as:
“The speaker has two options for ____ and each has merit…”
[explain the two options and the speaker’s feelings], “As for the option I
would recommend….”
And so on.
#3: Take Notes
During the TOEFL
As you go through the test, don’t be afraid to scribble all over
your scratch paper. Even if it takes a couple of seconds for you to jot down a
note, it’ll help save you time later on.
Write down some of the key words or phrases you hear in the
speaking section and underline the important words and phrases in a piece of
text in the reading section. Making notes and markings like these will also help
save you from your mind going blank when it’s time to answer
prompts.
Before you give your answers in the speaking and writing
sections, take the time to brainstorm some topics and phrases. If you have
time, you can even make yourself an outline for your speech in the speaking
section. And definitely take a minute or two to create an essay outline
before you start writing!
#4: Incorporate
(More) English Into Your Daily Life
However much English you use and study in your daily life, see
if you can comfortably double it. If you don’t use much English in your
daily life, then start incorporating the language into your daily
routine bit by bit.
Watch TV shows and movies and Youtube videos in English. Read
news articles, magazines, books, textbooks, or blogs in English. See if you can
find someone with whom you can practice speaking English.
If you find an English-speaking buddy, make sure that person is
someone you trust to have a competent grasp of the English language. And make
sure it’s also someone who’s willing to correct your errors when
necessary.
#5: Practice
Speaking and Writing English in a Distracting Environment
You’ll most likely be taking the IBT TOEFL, which means you’ll
have to take the test in the same room as other people who are taking the
TOEFL. During your test, there will be multiple people around
you speaking at the same time. This can make some people
nervous or feel like they can’t remember what to say.
Even though you’ll be wearing a headset while you take the
listening, speaking, and writing sections, you’ll likely still hear other
people talking. To imitate this kind of distracting environment,
practice speaking English with a buddy in a crowded location. Anywhere
from a restaurant to a party to any other event where many people are
gathered and speaking should help you recreate the test environment.
#6: Practice
Speaking and Writing With a Timer
45-60 seconds to speak or 20 minutes to write an essay may
sound like a long time, but you’d be surprised. As you respond
to questions, you may find that it’s difficult to fit in everything you
wanted to say.
To practice for the speaking section, look up
some old TOEFL speaking and writing questions. Answer the prompt while
strictly following the timing instructions for prep time and speaking/writing
time. This will help you get used to preparing for and
answering questions in the proper timeframe.
Always practice speaking and essay writing with the proper test
timing so that you can perfect your answers and timing strategies.
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