The TOEFL is one of the most difficult tests you will ever take in your life! Here is a list of ten things that will help you get the highest score possible on the TOEFL iBT, and fulfill your dream of studying at an English-speaking university.

1. Make sure you understand the TOEFL!
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an English proficiency test produced by an American company called ETS. It is a test that measures your English reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills, and your ability to succeed at an English-speaking university.

This is the structure of the TOEFL:

Each section has a score of 30, for a total overall score of 120. You don’t pass or fail the TOEFL. Each university requires non-native speakers to get a specific score. Sometimes universities require a specific score for each section of the test, for example 24 out of 30 in the speaking section. Before you begin studying for the TOEFL, it’s a good idea to know the score that you need to achieve.

There are A LOT of resources available to help you learn about the test & help you study for the test. Here are some resources available on the ETS TOEFL website:
TOEFL Go Anywhere
TOEFL Tips
Sample TOEFL questions Continue reading

Here is a list of 20 Tips that will help you get the highest score possible on the TOEFL iBT, and fulfill your dream of studying at an English-speaking university.

1. Familiarize yourself with the TOEFL format
   Most countries now offer the Internet based TOEFL (iBT). A few offer only the paper-based test (PBT). Make sure you find out which test you will be taking before you start studying for the TOEFL. You cannot choose to take the paper based test if your country offers the iBT. One reason people experience exam stress is because they don’t know what to expect before a test. Prevent stress on exam day by studying the format of the test in detail. ETS has very clear standards about the format of their test. This is why it is called a “standardized” test.
2. Research TOEFL score requirements
   The TOEFL is required for any non-native English student who wants to go to a post-secondary school in the United States. Most people take the TOEFL in order to apply to a specific school or program. Before you begin studying, find out what the requirements are for the schools you are interested in going to. Remember that the scores for the paper based test are different than the scores for the iBT. Some schools will look at your scores from different sections. Each iBT section is scored out of 30. Many universities expect you to achieve higher writing skills than speaking skills. TOEFL scores are only valid for two years.
3. Learn academic English
   TOEFL is used for a different purpose than other ESL tests. The TOEFL measures your ability to succeed in an American university or college. Other English-speaking countries also require TOEFL scores as a prerequisite for admission. You don’t have to know about the business world as you do in the TOEIC test. Instead, you should concentrate on studying language that you would hear and see on campus and in the classroom. In other words, you should read textbooks, encyclopaedias, journals and research articles rather than advertisements and resumes. You won’t need to know any background information about certain subjects, but it will help you to become familiar with the presentation and language used in academic material. You should also watch modern television and movies. If you have a friend who goes to an English university, go to class with him as often as you can. Borrow his books and hang out with his friends. Continue reading

General strategies to help you prepare for the TOEFL test

Find out which version of the TOEFL you will take
Depending on where and when you take the TOEFL test, you will encounter either the Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) or the TOEFL Paper-based Test (TOEFL PBT). Be sure of which format you will use. Your TOEFL score from either test will be accepted by the colleges you choose, but the differences in the test formats will influence some of your TOEFL preparation.

Approach the TOEFL test with a plan Continue reading

TOEFL test prep should be comprehensive—and can even be fun.

Proving a mastery of the English language is a crucial step in coming to the United States for college or graduate school—a goal that’s becoming more pervasive and increasingly competitive.

U.S. schools use the Test of English as a Foreign Language, known as the TOEFL, as a gauge of language proficiency. The standardized test is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) at testing centers in 165 countries. It is usually offered online (known as the iBT: Internet-based test), but sometimes still in paper form (PBT: paper-based test).

Both versions of the exam test for skills in four areas—writing, listening, reading, and speaking—but have different point totals students can achieve. The TOEFL iBT has a test total of 120 points—30 points per section. The maximum PBT score is 677 points.

Continue reading