5 FAST WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR TOEFL SCORE

If you dream of studying in the States, TOEFL could be your ticket to success. As with any exam, good exam technique is as important as your English ability and could make the difference between getting the score you need to study in the States and missing out. This is especially important for the internet-based TOEFL test. Make sure you get the score you deserve with these terrific tips for tackling the TOEFL test.

Improve your computer skills

The iBT is now the most common format for TOEFL, and poor computer skills can make you nervous, careless and slow. Improve your chance of success by being familiar with a computer and by making full use of the pre-test computer tutorial. Learning the section instructions ahead of time is also a must, so that you don’t get confused and save time during the exam.

Learn how the questions work

It sounds obvious, but read each question and answer choice carefully, and be cautious of distracting choices – ones that may look correct at first glance, but are wrong. Finally, be sure to double-check your selection before clicking to confirm your answer and move on.

Build your memory skills

You can take notes or during the Listening section, but it’s still important practice listening to longer conversations and remembering key details. The entire listening section takes 40 to 60 minutes, which can be tiring if you haven’t practiced for that long. Practice at home under actual test-taking conditions to maximse your chance of success in the exam.

Ace your essay

In the iBT, you have to write an essay on an assigned topic. Remember that idea content and organization are just as important as correct English in your essay, if not more. Practice not only writing short 30-minute essays, but also developing supporting ideas for a topic and creating quick and effective outlines. For further practice, make use of Englishlive.ef.com’s writing classes, where teachers give you fast feedback on your essays and help you sharpen your skills.

Manage your time
Many questions trap you into wasting time, so avoid this by setting yourself a careful limit for each question before you start the section. Also practice speed-reading techniques like skimming and scanning. You can’t lose points for incorrect answers, so take a guess even if you aren’t sure.

IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge and TOEIC: What’s the difference?

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

The widely accepted IELTS is comprised of four parts: listening, reading, writing and speaking and lasts a total of two hours and 45 minutes.

The listening, reading and writing sections of the exam are to be sat one after the other without a break. The speaking test – which you will sit face to face with an examiner – might be taken on the same day or it could be taken up to a week before or after the other sections.

You will receive your scores on a scale of 1-9, with 9 being ‘expert’ proficiency.

The IELTS costs around US$200 and your payment will be taken in your local currency so there shouldn’t be any problems with conversion rates or extra charges, and you are able to retake it again almost immediately should you so wish.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

The TOEFL is an online exam taken in one of the 4,000 test centres all over the world. There is a paper version of the test available in countries where testing over the internet is not feasible, however, the majority of test-takers take it online.

Similar to the IELTS, the TOEFL is broken down into four sections; reading, listening, speaking and writing.

You can expect the reading section to take 60-80 minutes, listening 60-90 minutes, speaking 20 minutes and writing 50 minutes.

After the first two sections you will be given a 10-minute break. The test should be taken in one sitting and should last around half a day.

Unlike the IELTS, the speaking section is not completed with an examiner, yet uses microphone recording so this may be a better option for you if you get nervous in front of examiners.

You will receive a score out of 30 for each section, bringing your overall total to a maximum of 120 points.

The cost depends on which country you select to take the test in due to taxes and fees, but expect it to set you back between US$165 and US$250.

If you do not achieve your desired score, you can reregister and retake the test as many times as you please, but not more than once in a twelve-day period.

There are a number of other English language tests available that aren’t TOEFL or IELTS, most commonly, the Cambridge exams.

Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC)

The TOEIC is most commonly used for business so you may not need this until graduation and it almost certainly won’t be relevant to your university applications. Still, it is good to be aware of it.

Many companies, especially ones based in Asia, use TOEIC scores to measure whether their employees are able to work with English-speaking clients.

When applying to graduate jobs, an employer may ask you to take the exam before they accept your application. The score is typically valid for two years, so you may have to take the test again at a later date.

There are plenty more English language proficiency exams offered but these are the most widely recognised.

Whichever you decide to go with, ensure it meets the requirements of your institution.

If it seems unclear on the university website, try giving admissions a call. If you need the exam to apply for a visa or even citizenship, be sure to check the official government website of your chosen country.