{"id":6371,"date":"2022-11-15T23:47:39","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T23:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mliesl.edu\/contents\/?p=6371"},"modified":"2023-11-30T01:01:01","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T01:01:01","slug":"how-to-prepare-for-the-toefl-ibt-strategies-to-improve-scores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mliesl.edu\/contents\/how-to-prepare-for-the-toefl-ibt-strategies-to-improve-scores\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prepare for the TOEFL\u00ae iBT & Strategies to Improve Scores"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Before taking the official test, it is important to practice with test materials, but it is also important to prepare in other ways for the different sections of the test. Here is some advice on how to get ready for the test by improving a variety of skills that are related to success:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Reading Section<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Preparing for The Reading Section<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n


\u30fbRead materials that focus on specific, academic subjects. <\/b>This will increase your understanding and recognition of terminology
\u3000and vocabulary on the test.
<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbRead unfamiliar material.<\/b> For example, if you do not have much interest in economics, then read a website or magazine
\u3000on this subject to learn about common topics and become comfortable with terminology that is used in the subject.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Strategies on The Reading Section<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n


\u30fbRead before starting the questions. <\/b>It is hard to understand questions and answers without being familiar with the topic.
\u3000Read for around 3 minutes, and skim the tops and\/or bottoms of paragraphs to understand the main ideas of the reading passage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbManage time and keep moving. <\/b>Do not spend too much time on any of the questions.
\u3000Do not use more than 18 minutes per passage unless it is the final passage of the reading section.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbMake sure to have time for the final question. <\/b>Because it is worth more than 1 point, the final question of each reading passage
\u3000is important. Get to the final question at a time of around 13 minutes and have at least 3 minutes to complete the question.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbThe order of questions might matter.<\/b> Most of the questions go in the same order as the information in the reading passage.
\u3000Use this to focus on specific areas of the reading passage that might have information related to questions.


<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Listening Section<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Preparing for The Listening Section<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n


\u30fbLook at some websites, brochures, or catalogs related to a college<\/b>. Make sure that you have a good understanding of
\u3000the topics that are mentioned and the terminology that is used. This will help you with conversations on campus situations,
\u3000which are on the test.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbWatch or listen to documentaries or presentations on academic topics.<\/b> Choose topics that are similar to exercises that
\u3000might be on the test. Make sure that there is a script of the material, which will make it easier to review terminology and
\u3000vocabulary.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Strategies on The Listening Section<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n


\u30fbTake notes in an efficient way. <\/b>It does not matter what language you use. Take notes in a way that does not waste time.
\u3000Use acronyms, abbreviations, and symbols to write down information as fast as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbDo not pay attention to small, minor details.<\/b> Focus on the main points and the details related to these points.
\u3000This will help you limit your notes and focus more on listening.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbListen for points of emphasis.<\/b> For example, a professor might say that something is important to remember or
\u3000that a topic is confusing for some students. These kinds of moments show that information might be important.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbPay attention to the organization of the listening exercise.<\/b> Listen for signal words, phrases, rhetorical questions,
\u3000or student questions that show a change in topic.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbThe order of questions might matter.<\/b> Most of the questions go in the same order as the information in the listening
\u3000exercise. It is helpful to focus on answers to the questions based on the time in the listening exercise.


<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Speaking Section<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Preparing for The Speaking Section<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n


\u30fbListen to speeches or presentations on academic topics.<\/b> Choose a speaker that is easy to understand but also has
\u3000a natural speed and rhythm when speaking. Try to copy the way that this person speaks to sound more fluent and understandable.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbWrite responses to TOEFL\u00ae speaking exercises <\/b>as practice for the speaking section. This gives you time to think about
\u3000the grammar, parts of speech, transitions, and word choice that you want to use in the future. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbUse applications or programs that transcribe spoken English into written English. <\/b>If your pronunciation is accurate,
\u3000then these applications or programs should be able to transcribe your speech in the correct way. If not, then try again,
\u3000and focus on the words that were not correct.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Strategies on The Speaking Section<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n


\u30fbDo not worry about finishing the exercise. <\/b>It is hard to finish speaking in the exact amount of time based on the exercise.
\u3000Focus on being close to finishing and do not rush or speak too quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbDo not worry about having perfect pronunciation.<\/b> If a word is too hard to pronounce, then choose an easier word to explain
\u3000something. For pronunciation to affect the score, the pronunciation must be very poor and hard to understand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbSpeak at a reasonable, comfortable volume.<\/b> Speak at the volume that gives you confidence. If you are nervous about speaking
\u3000too fast, then speaking at a higher volume will help you control your speed. If you are nervous about other people hearing you,
\u3000then speaking at a lower volume will help you manage stress. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fb<\/b>Stay organized with transitions. <\/b>Use transitional phrases to help the evaluator understand the purpose of each part of your
\u3000speaking sample. For example, if doing speaking exercise 2, then make sure to say \u201caccording to the reading\u201d and
\u3000\u201caccording to the listening\u201d so it is clear where the information is coming from when you are speaking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbExplain information. <\/b>Do not speak to repeat information. Pretend that the evaluator is not familiar with the information
\u3000that is in the exercise. Explain the information in a direct and simple way, step by step, and help the evaluator understand
\u3000what is in the exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Writing Section<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Preparing for The Writing Section<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n


\u30fbUse online applications or games<\/b> to improve typing speed and accuracy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbRead opinion-based forms of writing. <\/b>For example, on websites, and in newspapers and magazines, you can find editorials.
\u3000In these forms of writing, journalists express their opinions on various topics. These materials will help you express
\u3000your own views in an academic way.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbMemorize various synonyms for common words and various forms of grammar.<\/b> For example, memorize synonyms
\u3000for the word \u201cuse\u201d, such as \u201cutilize\u201d and \u201cmake use of\u201d. Memorize other forms of conjunctions like \u201cbecause\u201d,
\u3000such as \u201cas\u201d, \u201cfor\u201d, and \u201csince.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbFocus on the grammar and punctuation when studying English material.<\/b> Why are specific forms of grammar being used?
\u3000How are specific forms of punctuation being used? If you do not understand these kinds of things, then it is harder to use them
\u3000in the correct way when writing.

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

For Study and Review<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/i>Keep two notebooks of vocabulary. One notebook should be focused on common terminology for specific, academic subjects. <\/span>
<\/span>The other notebook should be focused on more general vocabulary with useful, academic synonyms and antonyms.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0Strategies on Writing Exercise 1<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n


\u30fbFocus on the listening portion of the writing exercise. <\/b>The listening portion of the exercise is more valuable and
\u3000affects your score a lot. When writing, have some information from the reading passage but have a lot more information
\u3000from the listening portion of the exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbUse clear and direct language.<\/b> The writing does not have to have the same level of English as the reading passage and
\u3000the listening portion of the exercise to get a high score. Do not be casual but also do not feel pressure to use advanced words or
\u3000advanced grammar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbIf information is important, then include it. <\/b>If there is something in the listening portion of the exercise that is hard but you know
\u3000that it is important, then include it in the writing. It is better to be incorrect than to skip an important point in the listening portion.
\u3000It is possible to get partial credit for information.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0Strategies on Writing Exercise 2<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n


\u30fbPlan before writing. <\/b>Use around 3 minutes to choose the easiest answer possible, think of basic and clear reasons, and think of
\u3000how you will explain each example step by step.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fb<\/b>Do not focus on the introduction paragraph and conclusion paragraph. <\/b>It is important to have them in the writing
\u3000but do not make these paragraphs too long. It is more important to focus on the reasons and examples that support your opinion,
\u3000which are in the middle of the writing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbWrite less about the reasons and more about the examples.<\/b> Do not explain the reasons too much. If you do,
\u3000then you will not have much to write about the examples. In the body paragraphs, each reason should have a well-developed,
\u3000step-by-step example. Make sure that each example has details and is not repetitive.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbVariety and formality affect the score.<\/b> In the writing, vocabulary, grammar, and the examples need to have variety
\u3000and need to be formal or academic. Do not be casual, and do not use the same words or grammar forms in a repetitive way.
<\/span><\/p>\n

\u30fbHave time to review.<\/b> The number of mistakes that you make with spelling, grammar, and punctuation will decrease the score
\u3000on the writing. It is important to have around 5 minutes to look at the writing and fix as many mistakes as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n