TOEFL Listening Section Tips

TOEFL

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Updated on Feb 3, 2022 01:58 IST

Preparation Tips for TOEFL: Conducted by ETS – the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is undertaken by students who are planning to pursue higher education abroad. The test is generally used to evaluate the English language proficiency of the candidate looking to study abroad and where English is the first language of communication. Appearing for TOEFL would also allow students to be eligible for several study abroad scholarships and also help students and candidates looking for employment abroad with their visa application process.

Accepted in over 10,000 universities and other institutions worldwide, including universities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, the United States, and across Europe and Asia, TOEFL is one of the most preferred English-language tests for students wanting to study abroad. The TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) examines the candidates’ proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in the English medium.

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TOEFL Listening Tips: The TOEFL exam pattern comprises four sections, Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing - along with the total score. Most colleges/universities require students to have a particular score to be eligible to apply for the admission process. This is often referred to as the TOEFL Cut Off for that particular institution.

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Last-minute TOEFL Prep Tips – Listening Section: Candidates looking to excel in their TOEFL Listening Section of the test are required to follow the below-mentioned pointers closely to be able to give in their best at the time of the exam.








TOEFL Test Prep Tips – Listening Section

Candidates looking to excel in their Listening Section of the TOEFL exam are required to follow the below mentioned TOEFL Tips.

Accurately take notes

The crux to cracking the TOEFL listening exam is being able to accurately take notes when someone is dictating to you. Hence, candidates are required to understand that taking accurate notes quickly is one of the most valued skills in the TOEFL Listening test. It requires the presence of both your mind and your physical being. As in the mind, the student is required to summarize the sentences, shorten words identify the most important parts of a sentence and exclude the unnecessary segments and this should then be physically put down on paper for the student to use. Note: Students are required to write down the main points, summarize facts that could be important later on. Save time and do not write down function words and irrelevant information.







Developing listening abilities

This is yet another important aspect that needs to be built around the student. A lot of times, students are unable to listen for long periods of time as they are unable to absorb information after a certain point. Hence it is important for the candidate to first develop the habit of listening to long audios and then being able to extract useful information and use it for answering questions. Note: Candidates are required to listen to audios in the English language as that would be their medium of the exam. They should opt for only audio files as there would be no visuals provided to the candidate during the time of the listening section in the exam; hence, only opt for audio files.

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Understanding the flavour

Half the battle is won once the candidate is able to understand the genre of the conversation. Because often a lot of questions would be asked about the flavour of the dialogue. Hence ETS the conducting body of the TOEFL exam is also responsible for setting the question paper has a list of words that signal the type of information in the passage provided. These could include, opinion, theory, inference, negatives, and fillers. Candidates should watch out for these and answer the question accordingly.

Solving TOEFL Practice Papers

Candidates are required to solve as many TOEFL test papers as possible. Solving as many question papers and sample papers are only going to help candidates towards achieving a common goal. Candidates can check out TOEFL sample questions and also can check out our TOEFL Preparation tips to be able to practice for their exams. Candidates can also try out the official TOEFL sample papers on the official website.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language is an English proficiency exam that is required by students to prove their proficiency in the English language in colleges that use English as their first language of communication. Candidates are required to register for the exam only after they feel they are ready to appear for the exam. In this way, they would be able to give in their best and get quality scores.

Also, read

Q:   How can I prepare for TOEFL at home?

A:

One searching for TOEFL preparation startegy without taking help of any coachings. 

  • Self-Study Resources: Utilize online platform like ETS, and practice questions and study materials.

  • Listening Practice: Listen to English podcasts, lectures, and audiobooks to improve comprehension.

  • Reading Practice: Read academic articles or textbooks to familiarize yourself with academic vocabulary and structure.

  • Speaking Practice: Record yourself speaking on various topics and review your pronunciation and fluency.

  • Writing Practice: Write essays and seek feedback form any experts. 

Q:   How long should I study for the TOEFL?

A:

The ideal duration depends on the TOEFL test taker's English proficiency and target score. Generally, dedicating 3-6 months with consistent practice sessions should yield the desired TOEFL scores. TOEFL test takers are further advised to analyze their practice test scores and identify areas needing improvement to tailor their study plan.

Q:   Can I pass TOEFL online?

A:

There is no such thing as failing or passing the TOEFL exam. The TOEFL exam is held online at a test centre near you and is also being conducted in the safety of your home via the online method. Candidates who have prepared for the TOEFL would qualify for the exam. Candidates should note that higher TOEFL scores would automatically increase their chances of securing a seat in the university and also make them a front runner for any scholarships being offered by the university. A low TOEFL score would require the student to re-take the exam to improve his/her performance.

Q:   Is the TOEFL difficult for Indian students?

A:

Yes, the TOEFL exam is relatively difficult than other English tests. However, the difficulty is subjective and depends on your current English proficiency level and preparation. While challenges like vocabulary gaps and adapting to the computer format (for the iBT) are common, dedicated preparation can help Indian students excel. Utilize official ETS resources like practice tests and study guides, supplement with free online tools and consider coaching classes if needed. Remember, consistent practice and addressing specific weaknesses are key to success.

Q:   What is the hardest part of the TOEFL test?

A:

The hardest part of the TOEFL test often depends on individual strengths and weaknesses. However, many test-takers find the speaking and writing sections to be the most challenging, as they require both language proficiency and critical thinking skills.

There are two tasks in the TOEFL writing section; one of them requires test takers to read a short passage, listen to a short lecture and finally, write your understanding of both. The other task requires test takers to state and support an opinion in a classroom discussion. 

Q:   Should students prepare for TOEFL on their own or seek professional guidance?

A:

This is entirely at the discretion of the candidate. While professional help would definitely give you an added advantage, studying on your own would give you confidence like no other. Candidates studying on their own are advised to check out our preparation guide or visit the official website to learn about the at-home preparation strategy to score well in their next TOEFL exam. Candidates seeking professional help can check out the top TOEFL Coaching Centers in India.

Q:   What is a Good TOEFL Score?

A:

TOEFL Scores: There are no good or bad scores when appearing for the TOEFL test. Candidates would be required to meet the TOEFL score decided by the universities. anything above would increase their chances of getting admission into the university and any score below the range could serve as a roadblock in the admission process. 

However, to make your test experience more personal and for you to understand your score better ETS has provided 4 to 5 proficiency levels for each skill. So where your score falls within that range tells you your proficiency for that skill. This will give you a fair idea about your performance, your strengths, sections that need improvement, and so on. Test takers can look at the table below to understand their TOEFL iBT Scores better. 

Skill/ Score Range

Level*

Reading

Score Range 0–30

Advanced (24–30)
High-Intermediate (18–23)
Low-Intermediate (4–17)
Below Low-Intermediate (0–3)

Listening

Score Range 0–30

Advanced (22–30)
High-Intermediate (17–21)
Low-Intermediate (9–16)
Below Low-Intermediate (0–8)

Speaking

Score Range 0–30

Advanced (25–30)
High-Intermediate (20–24)
Low-Intermediate (16–19)
Basic (10–15)
Below Basic (0–9

Writing

Score Range 0–30

Advanced (24–30)
High-Intermediate (17–23)
Low-Intermediate (13–16)
Basic (7–12)
Below Basic (0–6)

Total Score

 These are added together for a total score of 0–120.

Q:   Why take the TOEFL Exam?

A:

Accepted in over 11,000 universities and institutions worldwide, including universities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), and across Europe and Asia, TOEFL is one of the most preferred English-language tests for students wanting to study abroad. The TOEFL test is primarily to understand and grade the candidates reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities in the English language. 

Students wanting to study abroad and opting for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) comes with many benefits. TOEFL is a preferred exam among students who want to pursue higher education abroad, as more TOEFL scores are sent to universities in the United States and Canada than all other English-language tests combined. Similarly, TOEFL is a preferred English test among countries as more TOEFL scores are sent to German, French, US, and Canadian universities than other English tests. ETS – the conducting body of the TOEFL also guarantees students a fair and unbiased process of score reporting, making the test more authentic. 

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