This article contains information about TOEFL and easy steps to achieve a high TOEFL score.
Planning to take the TOEFL exam in 2021? I bet you’re here because you want to know as much as possible about the TOEFL exam and how to get a high TOEFL score.
Sit back! Relax! And get ready to learn the secrets of those who get an incredibly high TOEFL score.
First, let’s educate you about TOEFL.
Don’t skip, you just might learn something new.
What does TOEFL mean?
TOEFL is an abbreviation for Test of English as a Foreign Language.
Background on TOEFL
This test is one of the two major English language proficiency tests in the world.
The other has been IELTS.
TOEFL started as far back as 1964 and it is recognized in over 165 countries by over 10,000 institutions and bodies.
It is conducted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Types of TOEFL
There are two types of TOEFL exam.
They include:
- Internet-based Test otherwise called TOEFL iBT
- Paper-based Test referred to as TOEFL PBT
Why write TOEFL?
The TOEFL exam is not a compulsory test for every student but it could be for the following cases;
- Studying abroad in an English speaking country.
- Application for scholarships to school in an English-speaking school
- Seeking employment abroad Visa for an English speaking country.
Studies have shown that this test is a more preferred English proficiency test in countries like Germany, France, the US, and Canada.
Details on the exam itself.
The TOEFL exam tests your English expertise based on 4 parameters. They include:
- Reading
- Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
Note that the exam questions are the same for TOEFL iBT and TOEFL PBT.
The Reading Section
Here, expect 10 questions from each of the 3-4 passages which make up this section.
Each passage would contain approximately contains 700 words.
To ace this section with a high score, you need to understand rhetorical functions such as compare-contrast, cause-effect, and argumentation.
You would have 54-72 minutes in this section.
You’re would see questions about sentence insertion, details, key ideas, essential information, inferences, vocabulary, rhetorical purpose, filling out tables, and completing a summary.
Recently, they have included questions requiring.
Starting to sound daunting? Not to worry.
Keep reading. You would get the secrets to passing easily.
The Listening section
Here’s what to expect in this section:
- 5-7 lectures with 6 questions each. (each lectures can last about 270-330 seconds)
- 5 questions drawn from 2 to 3 conversations each (Each conversation could last around 150-180 seconds)
The conversation most times involves a student and either a professor or a campus service provider.
The lectures are usually on academic topics which may involve the participation of students.
Heed to my advice and take notes when listening to the conversations or lectures because you would only hear it once.
The major idea here is your ability to understand the English language when spoken.
As such, they measure your ability to capture important details, implications, organize information, get the relationships between ideas, the speaker’s purpose, and attitude.
The section typically lasts around 41-57 minutes.
The Writing Section
Here you are tested on your ability to write in an academic setting.
Two tasks are given:
- One integrated task.
- One independent task.
The integrated task:
This involves reading a passage on a given academic topic and then listening to a speaker discuss it.
After this, you would write a summary of the key points in the listening passage and explain in details how it relates to the key ideas in the reading passage.
The independent task:
Here you would be expected to write an essay based on the opinion or choice of the examiners and then explain it.
This section lasts for 50 minutes.
The Speaking section
The speaking section involves four tasks
- 1 independent (Task 1)
- 3 integrated (Task 2, 3, 4).
In task 1, you would answer opinion questions on familiar topics.
Here you need to show your ability to convey key ideas.
In task 2 and 4, you would be expected to answer questions after reading a brief passage, a conversation about campus life, or listening to an academic course lecture.
Your answers would come from combining the information gotten from these different sub-sections.
In task 3, you will answer questions from listening to an academic course lecture.
They want to know your ability to appropriately understand and convey information from the reading and listening material.
You would be given time to prepare before you speak.
This section usually lasts for 17 minutes.
The internet-based test (iBT) thus lasts around 2 hours 47 minutes to 3 hours 23 minutes (this excludes the 10-minute break which is given in-between) whereas the TOEFL PBT lasts from around 2 hours 20 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes.
How do you register for the TOEFL Exam?
You can choose to register in person, online, via phone, or by E-mail. Just follow the steps below;
Go to the official website of ETS, www.ets.org, and create your profile.
Make sure the information you provide especially your name, is the same as it is on your passport.
Make the payment of the application fee.
You would get an e-mail informing you of the date and test center which would be one of the 4500 centres they have in over 165 countries.
And you’re done. Just make sure you go with your ID card on the date of your exam.
How much is TOEFL Registration Fee?
The registration fee for the TOEFL exam is different depending on your country and your mode of writing.
TOEFL iBT costs around $185 whereas TOEFL PBT costs $185.
Verify for increment or additional costs at the official website.
Now you know all the basics about TOEFL, let’s get down to the business of why you’re here.
How to get a high TOEFL score
Understand the TOEFL testing format.
Learn how to take notes fast and efficiently. Trust me, you will need this skill!!!
Choose a writing format either TOEFL iBT or TOEFL PBT and practice with such mode.
Practice speaking and writing English in a noisy environment.
Practice using TOEFL preparation books and materials.
Take notes during the test.
Focus on Grammar and Vocabulary (Learn extra words and use them!!!).
Learn how to write an English essay (Don’t assume you know it!!!).
Track your progress, identify areas where you need to improve, and work on it.
Incorporate (More) English into your daily life.
Accustom yourself to the QWERTY keyboard.
On the exam day, be calm and confident and know that you’ll pass.
You can also have access to practice with real-time questions at toeflblank.
What Score / Grade Range should I aim for in TOEFL?
Check the requirement for the school you intend to apply to.
It wouldn’t matter if you aim for a perfect score and get just a little below that anyway.
Aim at 120 for iBT and 677 for TOEFL PBT. With this, you would
What’s the Score range for TOEFL?
TOEFL iBT test scores on a scale of 0 to 120 points and the PBT score ranges between 0 to 677.
They base the PBT test on three scores: Listening (0–68), Structure (0–68), and Reading (0–67).
The Writing component of PBT which is usually referred to as the Test of Written English is not part of the last score; instead, it is scored separately on a scale of 0–6.
Read Also:
Easy Steps to get a High GRE score in 2021
How to Make Money As A Student
How long does my TOEFL result last?
Your TOEFL results are valid for 2 years after which you would have to rewrite it if you need it.
How do I see my TOEFL Result?
An email will be sent to you informing you that your result is ready about 6 days after your papers.
Just log in to your TOEFL account and click on “view score” and see your result.
If you have followed all steps as outlined above, your score would bring great joy to your heart.
We hope you found the information contained in this article helpful.
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Thanks for reading.
A seasoned content writer and job consultant.
