TOEFL Exam Day Tips
TOEFL
TOEFL is undoubtedly the most popular English proficiency exam taken up by international students, which is accepted by almost every university abroad. It consists of 4 components: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, to test your skills of the language. In this article, we will focus on the day of the exam and we have listed below some TOEFL exam day tips, so that you can take it up without any hassle.
As is the rule with any exam, you need to be at the TOEFL testing centre at least half an hour early to get settled. Make sure you visit the centre address a day before so you know where to go. While entering, there is usually a security screening to make sure no one cheats. There will be provisions for lockers or a second room where you can keep your phone and other things that are not allowed into the testing centre, which brings me to my next topic.
What to Bring on the Day of the Test
Everything you need for the exam will be provided at the exam centre. You need to carry your registration number/admit card, ID (passport in case of Indian students). Since TOEFL is a computer-generated exam, you do not need to bring paper and a pencil; they are anyway provided at the centre in case you need to make notes. You are allowed to bring water and snacks for a break.
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It is recommended that the snack you bring has a bit of sugar/glucose in it. It could be a sweet protein bar that will satiate your hunger for a longer time. Make sure you do not overdose on sugar, as that will affect your concentration.
During the TOEFL Test
You will be provided with paper for taking notes and a pencil. For the Listening and Speaking section, you will have headphones with an attached microphone with which you will be recording your answers. There will be a 10-minute break halfway through the exam, after the Reading and Listening sections. That is just enough time to snack a bit and stretch your body. In case of an emergency, you can take breaks during the test but the clock will continue ticking.
After the TOEFL Test
When you are finished, you can collect your belongings and leave the test room. You can leave early if you want.
TOEFL Tips
- You do not need to stress about TOEFL as if you have been taught English since childhood, you shouldn’t have issues performing well.
- Before starting the Reading section, take a minute or two to compose yourself.
- Do not study on test day. It will only stress you out rather than do any good.
- Solve lots of practice tests. Do not underestimate the importance of mock tests during the course of your preparation. It is the single most important factor that can improve your scores by a large margin.
- Most computer test centres are air-conditioned, so wear comfortable and warm clothes. You do not want cold feet (literally) on the test day.
- For the Writing section, you get only 20 minutes. They may seem adequate, but they are about enough to proofread your essay only once. So be quick!
- You need to concentrate hard during the Speaking and Listening sections. The headphones provided will not be noise-cancelling ones, so you need to listen hard.
- You do not need to yell into the microphone, your response is best recorded in natural tone and volume.
- Try not to hesitate while speaking. It is hard, but you have to practice speaking in a continuous flow. If you become blank during speaking, take a pause for a couple of seconds and resume.
Keep these simple tips in mind and attempt the TOEFL exam with a calm mind. If you have any other suggestions, please write them down in the comments section below.
TOEFL Exam Day Tips FAQs
Q. Is TOEFL hard?
Q. I feel anxious on the test day. What should I do?
Q. My speed is slow. How can I overcome this issue?
Q. I find it difficult to sit for long hours. What should I do?
Q. I feel as if I haven’t done well on the test. Should I retake it?
Q: When are the next TOEFL exam dates in India?
Q: In which Indian cities are the TOEFL test centres located?
The TOEFL test centres are located in several major cities in India namely:
| Allahabad | Ahmedabad | Assam |
| Bhopal | Bangalore | Coimbatore |
| Delhi-NCR | Chennai | Chandigarh |
| Faridabad | Gurugram | Dehradun |
| Goa | Gwalior | Guwahati |
| Jammu | Kochi | Jamnagar |
| Kolkata | Ludhiana | Hyderabad |
| Jaipur | Ranchi | Mumbai |
| Jalandhar | Jamshedpur | Mangalore |
| Hubli Dhanbad | Kozikode | Mysore |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Indore | Patna |
| Pune | Raipur | Rajkot |
| Surat | Vadodara | Vijayawada |
| Visakhapatnam | Warangal | Srinagar |
Q: Where can I take the TOEFL exam?
Q: What are the TOEFL exam dates for October 2024?
The TOEFL exam dates in October are 02, 05, 12, 16, 19, 26, 27, 30. One can book their TOEFL exam on the basis of availabilty of test dates.
Q: What is the cost of the TOEFL iBT Home Edition Test for Indian students?
The fee for TOEFL iBT home edition is the same as that of TOEFL iBT at test centre. The fees for both these exams for Indian students are set at INR 16,900.
Q: Can I take the TOEFL from home in India?
ETS - the conducting body of the TOEFL exam has launched the TOEFL Home Edition for candidates looking to take the test from the safety of their homes. The TOEFL Home Edition is still available along with the TOEFL iBT test at a test centre. However, candidates opting for the TOEFL Home Edition will be required to meet the technical and environmental requirements set by the conducting body.
Q: Is TOEFL test conducted online?
The TOEFL test is available online multiple times a year. The TOEFL test is also available in the paper-based module. Candidates should note that the paper-based module is only available in countries with no/limited access to the internet/computers and is held four times a year. The home-based version of the TOEFL test is also an online mode of the exam.
Q: What happens if a candidate arrives late to their TOEFL test centre?
In most cases, TOEFL test takers who arrive late to their designated TOEFL test centre will be barred from taking the TOEFL test. Aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before the test start time for registration and security checks. If unavoidable delays occur, immediately inform the test center staff upon arrival. They will assess the situation and determine if late entry is possible, which might involve missing initial instructions or sections.
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The TOEFL is offered year-round in major Indian cities, providing flexibility for your testing schedule. Currently, the TOEFL exam is available in the TOEFL Computer-based format (TOEFL iBT) and TOEFL Home Edition. Specific dates for both formats of the TOEFL exam depend on your chosen test center/ date. To discover upcoming dates for your preferred location, check out the official website od TOEFL.