TOEFL® Study Material and Preparation Strategies for Beginners

There are numerous factors to consider when taking the next step toward fulfilling your study-abroad dream. An important part of the application portfolio for those who want to pursue an education in English-speaking countries will be an English-language assessment. This is where ETS's TOEFL® programme can help you stand out with confidence. The TOEFL iBT® test, administered by ETS, is an English-language assessment that measures a student’s English-language proficiency to ensure preparedness for academic English used in a university classroom setting. Whether you're just starting to research which university might be a good fit for you or you are already working on your portfolio, the TOEFL iBT test offers student-friendly features and a variety of test preparation options to make your testing experience as smooth as possible.

More than 11,500 universities in over 160 countries accept the TOEFL iBT test. It is universally accepted in popular English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and Ireland, as well as in English-taught programmes all over the world, including Europe and Asia. The test is available in multiple formats to meet your needs: TOEFL iBT (taken on a computer at a test centre), TOEFL iBT® Home Edition (taken from the comfort of your own home with best-in-class security measures) and TOEFL iBT® Paper Edition (taken on paper at a TOEFL test centre with the speaking section done at home).

Best Test Preparation Material

Regardless of which TOEFL iBT test format you choose; the TOEFL study materials are the same. Whether you need to brush up on your skills before the test or are just getting started, you can use these free resources to understand the test structure, get a real-time testing feel and gain confidence in advance of the real test.

• TOEFL Test Preparation: The Insider’s Guide is a 6-week online course that includes videos, quizzes and expert instructor tips. The course was designed by experts who created, administered and scored the TOEFL iBT test — and it is a fun way to spend a few hours a week preparing for each section.
• The TOEFL iBT Test Prep Planner is an 8-week schedule designed to help you stay organized, set practice goals and develop the English skills required to succeed. It includes sample test questions, scoring guides and tips for test day and beyond.
• The TOEFL iBT Free Practice Test is a full-length practice test that includes real past test questions, correct answers and sample Speaking and Writing responses.

• The TOEFL iBT Practice Sets include real past test questions broken down into each of the test’s sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing.
  Furthermore, students can:
• Follow TOEFL on Facebook®, TOEFL on Instagram®, and TOEFL on LinkedIn® for up-to-date information on all things TOEFL iBT.

Making use of these tools will help enable effective planning, time management, and TOEFL exam preparation books to practice the necessary skills required to demonstrate one's English proficiency. These free informational and test prep resources are an excellent place to begin learning about and preparing for the TOEFL iBT test.

TOEFL Preparation Tips

Achieving your goal score on TOEFL iBT, accompanied by in-depth research of your desired university’s requirements, can help you get into top colleges around the world and ease the immigration process. Here are some proven TOEFL free practice test, and preparation strategies to help you create the best TOEFL study plan for this test:

Understand the format: No matter your level of English proficiency, it is helpful to understand the format of the exam before test day.

• Set a TOEFL score goal: Having a specific goal in mind, you can effectively identify your strengths and weaknesses and then craft the best TOEFL preparation strategy for you. You should aim for a target TOEFL score that meets the admissions requirements of the academic institution(s) to which you are applying.
• Give yourself enough time to prepare: A minimum 2-month time period is recommended for TOEFL preparation, but if you want to improve your English skills by starting with the basics, you may want to set aside 3 to 6 months to develop a detailed plan and prepare accordingly.

• Choose an early exam date: Choose a TOEFL test date that is 6–10 weeks before the application deadline of your preferred programs. This would allow you enough time to retake the test if necessary.
• Practice consistently: Set aside some time every 2 weeks, once a week, or even more frequently, to complete practise questions and/or practice tests. This will assist you in becoming accustomed to the testing experience as well as improving your technique and competence.
• Do not skip any questions: There are no negative markings on this test. Avoid skipping any questions and instead focus on selecting the best response option or using the process of elimination to identify the correct response. If you finish early, you can always go back and review your answers.

To prepare better for TOEFL iBT, check out the variety of resources available on the TOEFL website. These resources include study materials, guidance for each section of the exam, recommended TOEFL preparation books for TOEFL preparation and online study modules specifically designed for the TOEFL iBT.