5 Tips For Scoring Amazing TOEFL Scores

If you ever wondered about getting into a foreign university, particularly English-speaking educational institutions, then you should certainly consider TOEFL. TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language and is one of the two main English language evaluation tests across the globe. It is the score obtained in this test which is usually considered by universities for enrolling international students in their courses.

TOEFL scores are indicative of your performance in four key areas of the English language, namely Reading, Speaking, Writing and Listening.

The aim is to evaluate the proficiency of the non-native speaker in English, and whether their level is adequate enough to allow them to engage in the programs of the institutions. The test has been happening since 1964 and now in both online and offline formats.

If you crack this test with flying colors, you can get the opportunity to study in a good foreign university. However, for that to happen, you need to keep in mind certain things. You have to be methodical with the way you prepare for TOEFL, and I am going to tell you how to go about it.

Here are 5 tips which will help you score in TOEFL:

1. Do Not Hurry Up
   TOEFL is conducted over 50 times at permitted centers across the globe, which means you can take it as many times as you want provided you do not take it more than once every 12 days.
   Many students tend to get done with the test as soon as possible, and this decision may not necessarily be wise. If it is possible for you to postpone the test, then you should certainly consider that. TOEFL requires a lot of practice, and practice requires a lot of time. Thus, try taking TOEFL only after you have practiced enough because rushed-up decisions do not usually lead anywhere.
2. Grammar and Vocabulary Will Save You
   The fundamental blocks of good English are grammar and vocabulary, both of which take a lot of time to develop. To strengthen these areas, you need to be clear with basics. Hence, it is recommended that you go through your High School grammar books again and read the basic rules carefully.
   As far as vocabulary is concerned, there are many ways to go about it. Download a good dictionary online such as Merriam-Webster, apps on phone, purchase good materials such as Norman Lewis’ Word Power Made Easy, and practice flashcards to remember. If you watch a lot of English-language series, then pay attention to dialogues and mark difficult words and different usages of words.
3. Read Aloud And Listen Well
   Reading and Listening are two of the key areas which are evaluated. Usually, many students find it easy to write but difficult to speak or listen. Well, proficiency in speaking and listening do not come naturally; you will need to practice. I have a couple of ideas which might be of good use.
   Get a good academic or non-academic (but quality) text and read it aloud. Reading aloud helps clear your pronunciation, improves your diction and overall enunciation. Reading extensively will help you gain familiarity with phrases and words, which will be ultimately useful to you.
   As far as listening is concerned, the best way I believe is to hear good quality podcasts. You should consider downloading famous speeches and listening to them from time to time. Watch a good TV show from which you can get a good dose of English.
   For example, House of Cards offers a good dose of political vocabulary prevalent in America. Downtown Abbey is said to be a good series for learning British English. The point is gaining familiarity with words and their sounds, and this way works perfectly.
4. Speak A Lot And Write A Lot
   Get the help of a family member, friend or anyone else who is good in English. Hold conversations in English regularly so that your tongue and mind get trained and used to the language. This tip is, especially, useful for those speakers who come from countries where English is rarely spoken. You can, also, practice alone. Record your speech and evaluate it or have it evaluated.
   As far as writing is concerned, there is no better way to improve writing skills than by writing. You should write sample articles on good topics every day. Compare your performance on a daily basis. Know what kind of topics come in the test and prepare accordingly.
5. Perfection Is Imaginary
   TOEFL does not check whether you are perfect in the English language; it evaluates whether you will be able to comprehend lectures in the English language properly and be able to participate not only in the university but also in the foreign society. Hence, all you need is reasonably good English skills and you are good to go.

Update: ETS Announces Changes in TOEFL.

The Educational Testing Service has announced changes in the Test of English as a Foreign Language, known as TOEFL and a key test for many international students seeking to study in the United States. ETS said that the test will now be just three hours long, 30 minutes shorter than the current test. All four sections — reading, listening, speaking and writing — will be retained. But another change is that ETS will introduce a form of “super scoring,” in which a student may submit scores from the different sections taken at different times, as long as all the tests were taken over a two-year period. So the best scores on each section will be grouped together for one score, along with other scores based on the date the test was taken.

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