TOEFL Preparation Tips for Beginners 2024

TOEFL Preparation for Beginners: TOEFL Preparation tips are very important and useful for those students who want to pursue their higher education from an abroad country after taking the TOEFL examination.

Today, the TOFEL scorecard is accepted by 11500 institutions in 160 countries for education purposes and further the student visa application process. In this article, we will help beginners with the preparation for the TOEFL exam!

The TOEFL is a three-hour-long examination that consists of four different segments including reading, listening, speaking, and writing. The TOEFL iBT version is scored between 0 to 120 and the official final result will be valid for the next two years from your examination date. Here is a general overview of the TOEFL exam as mentioned below.

Here are some valuable tips for beginners who want to sit for the TOEFL exam in the upcoming months of 2024 as mentioned below.

1. Plan Ahead: The TOEFL examination is not a one-day task. As a candidate, you need to start your preparation at least 3-4 months before the examination. Quality vocabulary and a sensitive mind are really important for the TOEFL examination.
2. Understand the Examination: It is really important to understand the examination with its syllabus, examination pattern, and scoring process. It is also important to know about the TOEFL cut-off for universities as well.
3. Take Lots of Practice Tests: To score better in TOEFL, it is needed to take more practice tests as it will help you to self-evaluate for the exam. With this, you can find and mark those sections where you need improvement. It will prepare you for the final day.
4. Enhance Your Vocabulary: In TOEFL it is really important to increase your vocabulary. You need to use them in speaking and writing with a healthy mix of complex sentences. A strong vocabulary may help you to portray yourself as a strong candidate inforntof the invigilator and creates less room for error.
5. TOEFL Study Materials: Candidates are advised to source their study materials from the official ETS website. There are so many free and paid study materials available that you can take for your studies.
6. TOEFL Cutoff Marks: Every abroad university has a minimum TOEFL score requirement for the application process which is known as the TOEFL Cutoff Marks. The minimum band score is B2 but it depends on the university to university.

TOEFL examination is made up of four different segments including speaking, writing, reading, and listening. Here are the sectionwise preparation tips as mentioned below.

TOEFL Preparation for Beginners – Reading Section Tips

TOEFL iBT Reading Section is the most complex and considered the hardest section among the whole modules. The section contains 3-4 passages and you have to answer 10 questions from each passage. The points will be credited as per the correct answers and candidates have to complete the section in 54-72 minutes. The reading section measures your ability how you interpret the academic level texts and contents.

• You need to read more English passages or newspapers. The Hindu is such a newspaper that will construct your vocabulary base and open up your mind to absorb new ideas.
• The reading section needs more practice. A try-and-test method you can follow. In this method, you can practice reading short passages and convert them into a question-answer type. You need to understand the thought of the passage while reading it. Or else it will be tough to find the answers.
• As a candidate, you need to build your vocabulary base to understand the reading passage as well as it will help you to do better in other sections as well.

Read More: TOEFL Reading Section Tips (Will Update Soon)

TOEFL Preparation for Beginners – Listening Section Tips

The listening section of the examination is the most easy task. You have to listen to onetime audio clips of 3-4 lectures in the form of conversation and have to answer 6 questions from each recording. For each correct response, you will receive 1 point and you have to complete the whole segment 41-57 minutes. The section contains 40 questions in total. Here are some tips as mentioned below.

• You have to make it a habit to take notes. It is an important act for this examination. The candidates are required to take quick notes while they listen to the audio clip in the exam hall. Remember, if you miss any answer, you will not be able to retrieve that anymore.
• The important aspect of listening is to have the ability to listen more. Candidates with good listening abilities will get better in this section. If you are not a good listener, you have to develop that ability by practicing more and more.
• You need to practice more and more to understand the genre of the conversation. If you understand it properly, you will score better for sure.

Read More: TOEFL Listening Section Tips (Will Update Soon)

TOEFL Preparation for Beginners – Speaking Section Tips

TOEFL Speaking segment is that part where new candidates face so many problems. You have to be more confident with your words as it will check your English speaking with two factors including clearly and coherently. A good foundation of grammar and vocabulary is needed to portray yourself as a good speaker. Usually, the section is divided into three sections general questions, topic and idea discussion, and more questions on the topic you have got.

• As a candidate, you can start with a list of familiar topics including both academic and non-academic topics. Start to generate ideas about them and practice speaking on them by joining your ideas.
• You can collect pictures or maps from the newspaper as a reference and describe them in one to two minutes. Start with the simple topics and then increase the difficulty.
• In this process, reading is also important as reading habits increase your vocabulary and strengthen your grammar as well.

Read More: TOEFL Speaking Section Tips (Will Update Soon)

TOEFL Preparation for Beginners – Writing Section Tips

TOEFL writing section checks the ability of a candidate how he/she can narrate a data set or idea in the form of an essay. It should be well organized with detailed explanations and supportive logic. You need to display your grammatic ability and high-grade vocabulary to display unity, progression, and coherence. To achieve a high score in writing you need to remember that a variety of ideas is always appreciated but grammatical errors and wrong word choices will decrease your score.

• To start with writing you need to listen and read short passages. Start writing the short paragraphs and to increase the speed of writing you can take the help of audios to word method.
• Toy needs to focus on the connecting words and the style of paragraph formation.
• There are certain formats of writing that you need to understand before starting with the writing. Detailed and smart writing always receives a good score in TOEFL.

Candidates who are preparing for the TOEFL examination can seek the study materials from the online. But you need to take them the trusted sources and always refer to the official TOEFL website for accurate data.

There is no particular set of processes through which you will be able to prepare for the examination. It’s totally up to you how you grab the process and formats of the segments.

Don’t be confused with the TOEFL at Home and TOEFL for the test center. They both are the same. You need to practice more and more. The TOEFL at Home was launched by ETS where candidates can sit for the exam from their home. You can follow the tips we have mentioned here to prepare for TOEFL at Home.

It also varies from person to person. It’s totally up to you how you grab the process and formats of the segments. You need to prepare your plans and timeline to prepare for the exam.

As per the Indian context, it is a matter of time. Simply put, it is not possible to prepare for TOEFL in one month if you are aiming for a good band score. You need to grab the process and formats of the segments.

To know about TOEFL Study Materials is important. Those people who are preparing for the exam on their own generally depend on online sources and they become confused about which material they should use. Let us discuss them.

There are different types of books related to TOEFL as mentioned below.

• The Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT Test: Available in eBook and paperback format. It includes the four full-length practice tests. There are so many valuable tips, scoring criteria and sample questions you can find.
• Official TOEFL iBT Tests, Volumes 1 & 2: 10 authentic, full-length TOEFL iBT tests with previous test questions. Available in paperback or an eBook.
• The TOEFL iBT Test Prep Planner: It includes in-depth review of the four sections of the test. It focus on the skill-building activities, sample of TOEFL iBT test, score information and tips for success on test day.
• The Complete Guide to the TOEFL Test iBT Edition by Bruce Rogers: It focuses on developing the skills needed to take the test before actually giving example questions and practice tests.
• Delta’s Key to the TOEFL iBT: Advanced Skill Practice: Contains an audio CD containing over 9 hours of audio. It have 35 units of study in reading, listening, speaking, and writing four full-length tests in TOEFL iBT format.

The TOEFL Go! is a free application for the test preparation. The app includes:

• Reading test: Includes explanations for why answers are correct or incorrect.
• Writing and speaking sections: Includes AI grading and category-based feedback.
• Additional practice: Includes scored practice after the main simulation.
• AI-powered automated scoring: Provides estimated section scores and CEFR levels.
• Performance feedback and tips: Provides tips for speaking and writing.

People Also Read:

• TOEFL Exam Fees 2024
• TOEFL Exam Dates 2024
• TOEFL Eligibility Criteria
• ETS India TOEFL Championship
• TOEFL Full Form – Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Benefits

What is the TOEFL?

The Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL is a standard test that measures the English language skills of a non-native English speaker in an academic setup. The TOEFL examination is mostly taken by non-native English speakers who want to complete their higher studies at an English-speaking university.

What are the eligibility requirements for the TOEFL?

An eligible candidate must complete his / her 10 + 2 level of education from any authorized board or institution to sit for this particular exam.

How much does the TOEFL cost?

Candidates looking to sit for the TOEFL exam are required to pay a TOEFL exam fee of INR 16,900. Conducted by ETS – the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a popular English proficiency exam for Indian students looking to study abroad.

How is the TOEFL structured?

The TOEFL exam is divided into four different segments i.e. speaking, writing, listening, and reading.

How are the TOEFL tests scored?

Each of the four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) receives an individual score. Scores for each section range from 0 to 30.

How good does my English have to be to pass the TOEFL?

Generally, the exam has four distinct sections and each part carries 30 points. A score of 87-109 (B2) is always considered as a good one.

How are the TOEFL exams scheduled?

TOEFL exam 2024 is conducted every month in all major cities all over the country. Candidates need to remember that they need to book the exam slot in advance to reserve their test center and TOEFL exam dates as per their choice. The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is available for seven days a week and you can choose any time for your exam as per your choice. The TOEFL iBT Home Edition appointments may be available after 24 hours of your registration.

How long does the TOEFL take overall?

The TOEFL takes just under 2 hours to complete, but you should plan for 2 ½ hours, allowing 30 minutes for check-in.

How long are TOEFL scores valid?

TOEFL scores are valid for two years.

How can TOEFL scores be forwarded to universities, employers, licensing boards, etc.?

During registration, candidates have the option to designate up to four destinations, such as institutions or agencies, to receive their TOEFL results in PDF format. Following the test, candidates can request additional score reports for a fee of US$20 per institution or agency. These requests can be submitted via the TOEFL result login on their ETS account, through mail, or by fax.

Who needs to take the TOEFL?

The TOEFL examination is mostly taken by non-native English speakers who want to complete their higher studies at an English-speaking university. Nowadays, most of the abroad universities ask for the TOEFL certificate during the application. For some countries, it is also needed for the student visa applications.

What is considered a “good score” on the TOEFL?

Generally, the exam has four distinct sections and each part carries 30 points. A score of 87-109 (B2) is always considered as a good one.

How long does it take to get your TOEFL results?

It take to get your TOEFL results around 4-8 days.

Are other language exams as good as the TOEFL?

IELTS is an another language exam as good as the TOEFL.