Preparing to take the TOEFL test may appear to be much. You may be a little lost as to where to start. The positive aspect of it is that you can study well to pass this exam without going out of your home. You can do it with a good plan and some hard work. This guide provides you with the steps that you will take to start your home study program.
Learn the Structure of the Test
Knowing your enemy is always the first step. TOEFL iBT is divided into four parts. These are Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each of the parts measures a different skill. You ought to be familiar with the format. Get to know the number of questions in each section. Learn the time you have on each part. This knowledge will assist you in time management in the actual examination. On the day of the exam, you will not be surprised.
Take a Diagnostic Test
You need to know where you stand right now. The best way to do this is to take a full practice test. This test will show you your strengths. It will also show you your weak areas. Maybe your reading score is high. But maybe your writing score is low. This information is very important. It lets you focus your study time where you need it most. You don’t want to waste time on things you already know how to do.
Build a Study Schedule
Now you can make a study plan. Be real with yourself. Don’t plan to study for eight hours a day. Break your study time into small, manageable periods. Dedicate different days to different sections. For example, Monday could be for Reading practice. Wednesday could be for Listening. A consistent schedule is better than a crazy one. Small, regular study sessions are much more effective than long, intense ones.
Improve Your Reading Skills
Reading is a big part of the test. You should read a lot. Read articles from academic sources. Look at science magazines. Read history papers. The TOEFL uses many different topics. Getting used to these will help a lot. Read with a purpose. Don’t just read the words. Try to find the main point of the text. Write down any new words you see. Look them up. Then try to use them yourself.
Sharpen Your Listening Skills
To get better at listening, you have to listen. Listen to podcasts. Watch documentaries in English. Find some university lectures online. Pay close attention to how the speaker talks. Take notes as you listen. Try to summarize what you heard. Do this out loud. This will help you remember the information. It also helps with the speaking part of the exam.
Practice Your Speaking
The speaking section can be tough for many people. But it is just talking. You can practice this at home. Record yourself speaking. Listen to the recording. You will hear what you need to improve. Practice speaking about many different topics. Talk about a place you like. Describe a good movie. Practice some of the sample speaking prompts. There are many of these online.
Refine Your Writing
For the writing section, you need to write. Start a daily journal in English. Write a few sentences every day. Also, practice the essay tasks. There are two writing tasks on the exam. Find some example questions. Write your own answer. Then, look at some sample essays. See how you can improve your own writing. Check for grammar mistakes. It is very helpful to have someone who speaks English well check your writing. Their feedback can be very useful.
Consider Getting Outside Help
Studying alone can be good. But sometimes you need more support. This is where professional help comes in. There are many great options. You can find the best TOEFL online coaching to help you. These courses give you a clear path to follow. They provide a lot of study materials. The teachers can give you feedback on your progress. This kind of help can make a huge difference in your score.
If you want more structured help, check out TOEFL online classes. These classes give you expert instruction. They help you stay on track. You get to talk with other students. This makes you feel less alone in your studies. The website of Prepguru Academy has some great courses for this. They have resources for every part of the test. They can help you get the score you want.