TOEFL Tips, etc
PREPARATION TIME: 2 weeks
RESOURCES:- ETS TOEFL Guide, ETS TOEFL CD, Barrons TOEFL CD
TIPS1). Learn format of TOEFL properly. It wayyy different from GRE
2). TOEFL doesnt require learning wordlists! After GRE wordlists, TOEFL vocab should be a piece of cake.3). Practice speaking sections. One drawback of TOEFL is that you dont have ant TESTS that can grade you for the SPEAKING Section. For practice, ask ur parent/friend to assist you by giving you an impromptu topic. Like the TOEFL SPEAKING format, prepare for 15 secs and speak for 45 secs. Obtain constructive criticism and tips about clarity of though and speech. SPEAKING Section also has integrated sections (listening and then speaking) Use the TOEFL CDs for practice
4) TOEFL has integrated sections in SPEAKING and WRITING. Make sure you practice those....use the CDs for guidance.
5). RC passages are damn easy (why cant we have such RCs for GRE!!!!?) The questions are direct and the paragraphs for reference are indicated. Typically you will have 12-14 questions per RC. Only the LAST TWO Questions are tricky as they are inference-based question (which means you NEED to have read the passage thoroughly at least once). 3 RCs mean approx 42-50 questions to be solved in 60 mins.
6). LISTENING section is also easy. But there are two key points:- listen properly and take note properly.....When I say LISTEN PROPERLY, i dnt mean simply the words used.....listen to the TONE of the speaker, does he sound impatient?? Or hesistant???? Does she interrupt the other person too often??Taking notes is also extremely crucial, since each listening exercise is about 5-6 minutes long. Use the CDs for practice. Also Listening does hve inference based question ...like "which of the following was NOT mentioned by the speaker?" or "Based on the information in the passage, categorize the following under YES or NO". The Listening Section is about 1 hour long, and there are time limits for each SET of exercises. So keepo your eyes on the clock!
7). WRITING SECTION is easyyyyy. There are two parts:- one is an integrated section (reading, listening and writing) and the other one is essay-writing. As mentioned earlier, practice the integrated sections before-hand...
ANTICIPATED FAQ
* Is TOEFL easy?ANS: TOEFL is easy. Learn the format, prepare a bit and all goes well.
* How much time required for studying TOEFL?ANS 2 weeks- 4 weeks depending on your capacity and college/job schedule.
* Most important thing about TOEFL?ANS. Learn format of exam week. Practice sections (no need to berserk like GRE Practice though).
* Apart from format, how was TOEFL different from GRE?ANS. I found TOEFL more striking in GRE in the sense you really mentally prepare yourself to staring at a screen for READING and listening PATIENTLY and taing notes quickly for LISTENING section. Unlike GRE, when you could draw your attention away from screen to do calculations, etc, its not possible with reading, given the time limit. SO prepare yourself to be staring at the screen continuously for 1 hour and listening continuously (without pauses) for 1 hour.
* What is format of TOEFLREADING SECTION.....1 HourLISTENING SECTION.....1 HoursBreakSPEAKING SECTION......20 minsWRITING SECTION.......50 mins
* After how long will I receive my scores after giving the exam?ANS. Approx 10-15 days. I gave my exam on 25th Aug and received my scores on 5th Sept. Varies from time-to-time
* How important is TOEFL?ANS. Most Unis specifiy the minimum requirement for TOEFL. If you meet the minimum requirement, you are good to go. But remember you are paying approx Rs 9000/- of someones hard-earned money and why hurt your chances with a low score? So study a bit hard.
*TOEFL or IELTSThe choice is yours. I havent given IELTS so I am not in a position to advise. Some say IELTS is easier. If you ARE planning on IELTS, make your your desired Unis accept the IELTS.
All the best!!
PREPARATION TIME: 2 weeks
RESOURCES:- ETS TOEFL Guide, ETS TOEFL CD, Barrons TOEFL CD
TIPS1). Learn format of TOEFL properly. It wayyy different from GRE
2). TOEFL doesnt require learning wordlists! After GRE wordlists, TOEFL vocab should be a piece of cake.3). Practice speaking sections. One drawback of TOEFL is that you dont have ant TESTS that can grade you for the SPEAKING Section. For practice, ask ur parent/friend to assist you by giving you an impromptu topic. Like the TOEFL SPEAKING format, prepare for 15 secs and speak for 45 secs. Obtain constructive criticism and tips about clarity of though and speech. SPEAKING Section also has integrated sections (listening and then speaking) Use the TOEFL CDs for practice
4) TOEFL has integrated sections in SPEAKING and WRITING. Make sure you practice those....use the CDs for guidance.
5). RC passages are damn easy (why cant we have such RCs for GRE!!!!?) The questions are direct and the paragraphs for reference are indicated. Typically you will have 12-14 questions per RC. Only the LAST TWO Questions are tricky as they are inference-based question (which means you NEED to have read the passage thoroughly at least once). 3 RCs mean approx 42-50 questions to be solved in 60 mins.
6). LISTENING section is also easy. But there are two key points:- listen properly and take note properly.....When I say LISTEN PROPERLY, i dnt mean simply the words used.....listen to the TONE of the speaker, does he sound impatient?? Or hesistant???? Does she interrupt the other person too often??Taking notes is also extremely crucial, since each listening exercise is about 5-6 minutes long. Use the CDs for practice. Also Listening does hve inference based question ...like "which of the following was NOT mentioned by the speaker?" or "Based on the information in the passage, categorize the following under YES or NO". The Listening Section is about 1 hour long, and there are time limits for each SET of exercises. So keepo your eyes on the clock!
7). WRITING SECTION is easyyyyy. There are two parts:- one is an integrated section (reading, listening and writing) and the other one is essay-writing. As mentioned earlier, practice the integrated sections before-hand...
ANTICIPATED FAQ
* Is TOEFL easy?ANS: TOEFL is easy. Learn the format, prepare a bit and all goes well.
* How much time required for studying TOEFL?ANS 2 weeks- 4 weeks depending on your capacity and college/job schedule.
* Most important thing about TOEFL?ANS. Learn format of exam week. Practice sections (no need to berserk like GRE Practice though).
* Apart from format, how was TOEFL different from GRE?ANS. I found TOEFL more striking in GRE in the sense you really mentally prepare yourself to staring at a screen for READING and listening PATIENTLY and taing notes quickly for LISTENING section. Unlike GRE, when you could draw your attention away from screen to do calculations, etc, its not possible with reading, given the time limit. SO prepare yourself to be staring at the screen continuously for 1 hour and listening continuously (without pauses) for 1 hour.
* What is format of TOEFLREADING SECTION.....1 HourLISTENING SECTION.....1 HoursBreakSPEAKING SECTION......20 minsWRITING SECTION.......50 mins
* After how long will I receive my scores after giving the exam?ANS. Approx 10-15 days. I gave my exam on 25th Aug and received my scores on 5th Sept. Varies from time-to-time
* How important is TOEFL?ANS. Most Unis specifiy the minimum requirement for TOEFL. If you meet the minimum requirement, you are good to go. But remember you are paying approx Rs 9000/- of someones hard-earned money and why hurt your chances with a low score? So study a bit hard.
*TOEFL or IELTSThe choice is yours. I havent given IELTS so I am not in a position to advise. Some say IELTS is easier. If you ARE planning on IELTS, make your your desired Unis accept the IELTS.
All the best!!
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