TOEFL Test | Everything You Need to Know

The TOEFL test is an abbreviation for Test of English as a Foreign Language, i.e. Test of English as a Foreign Language.
It is an internationally recognized test that measures non-native English speaking students' ability to use and understand English in an academic setting.
The TOEFL test is used by more than 10,000 educational institutions in more than 150 countries around the world.

TOEFL

test If you want to study at a university or college that uses English as the language of instruction, you may need to pass a TOEFL test to prove your level in the language.

The TOEFL test dates back to 1964, when it was first launched by the Educational Testing Service, a non-profit organization based in the United States.
Since then, the TOEFL test has evolved to include the latest techniques and standards in assessing language skills.
There are currently two main types of TOEFL test: the Internet-based TOEFL iBT test and the paper-based TOEFL PBT test.

The online TOEFL test is the most popular and widespread, as it can be taken at more than 4,000 test centers around the world.
The online TOEFL test takes approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes.
The TOEFL test is important and useful for students who want to study abroad. The TOEFL test can help you demonstrate your English language abilities and increase your chances of gaining admission, scholarship or visa.

If you plan to take the TOEFL test, you should prepare well and practice your skills regularly.
You can use some resources and materials available online or in libraries to help you improve your level.

What are the parts of the TOEFL test?

It consists of four main parts: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
Each part contains a specific number of tasks and questions that reflect the tasks and events you might encounter in an academic situation.
You are asked to read texts, listen to talks and lectures, write articles and give oral answers.
Your performance on each part is measured separately, and your score is summarized into a total score ranging from 0 to 120.

The reading section of the TOEFL test

It aims to measure your ability to understand the meanings, purposes, main ideas and supporting details in academic texts written in English.
This section contains 3 or 4 texts, each followed by 10 multiple-choice questions. These tasks take approximately 54 to 72 minutes.
The texts cover topics from different fields; Such as: sciences, arts, literature, history and geography. You do not need prior knowledge of the topics, all the information you need is in the text itself.

How do you prepare for the reading section of the TOEFL test?

The reading section of the TOEFL test is the first section you encounter on the test. This section requires high skills in reading, comprehension, analysis, and reasoning.
So you should prepare well for this section and practice solving different types of questions.

Improving reading skills

It is generally the first step in preparing for the reading section of the TOEFL test. The learner should be able to read English texts fluently, quickly and accurately.
He must also be able to understand the meanings, purposes, main ideas and supporting details in texts.

To improve reading skills, you can follow some of the following methods:

● Read a lot: The more you read, the better your reading skills will be. Try reading different texts from different sources; Such as: books, magazines, newspapers and websites.
Choose topics that interest or benefit you. Look for texts that contain new or difficult vocabulary and sentences.
Use a dictionary if you need help understanding certain words or phrases.

● Read attentively: It is not enough to just read, but you must read attentively. Try to understand the meaning of the text and the purpose of its writer. Try to identify the main ideas and supporting details in each paragraph.
Try to link different information in the text and find relationships between them, and extract meaning from vocabulary or expressions that you do not know through their context.
● Try to create questions and answers for the text. Try to compare, evaluate and criticize the text. Try to apply what you have learned from the text to other situations or problems. Write a summary, comment or opinion about the text.

Solve the questions

It is the second step in preparing for the reading section of the TOEFL test, as you should be able to solve multiple-choice questions based on academic texts in English.
You should also be able to use effective strategies and techniques to choose from the available options and avoid traps and wrong answers.

To solve the questions effectively, you can follow some of the following strategies:

1. Read the question before the text: Before you start reading the text, read the question first. This will help you know what to look for in the text and focus your attention on important information.
Try to determine the type of question, vocabulary, and key ideas in it.
2. Take an overview of the text and note the title, first and last paragraphs and sentences. This will help you understand the topic, purpose and overall structure of the text.
3. Read the text carefully, trying to understand the meanings, purposes, main ideas and supporting details in each paragraph.
Relate different information in the text. Try to extract meaning from vocabulary or expressions that you do not know from their context.
4. Choose the correct answer: After you read the text carefully, choose the correct answer to the question.
Try to find evidence or justification for your answer in the text. Try to eliminate options that seem wrong or unrelated to the question. Do not guess if you are not sure of your answer.

These are some tips and strategies to prepare for the reading section of the TOEFL test.

Listening section of the TOEFL test

It aims to measure your ability to understand meanings, main ideas and supporting details in English audio conversations and lectures.
This section contains 3 or 4 talks, each followed by 5 multiple-choice questions, and 2 or 3 lectures, each followed by 6 multiple-choice questions. These tasks take approximately 41 to 57 minutes.

How do you prepare for the listening section of the TOEFL test?

The Listening section of the TOEFL test is the second section you encounter in the test.
This section requires high skills in listening, concentration, memory, and deduction.
So you need to prepare well for this section and practice solving different types of questions.
Improve listening skills The first step in preparing for the listening section of the TOEFL test is to improve listening skills in general.
You should be able to listen to talks and lectures in English fluently, quickly and accurately.
To improve listening skills, listen a lot, choose sources that interest you or that benefit you, look for sources that contain new or difficult vocabulary and sentences.

The writing section of the TOEFL test

It aims to measure your ability to write articles in English that express your opinions, positions, and information clearly and orderly.
This section contains two assignments: a source-based writing assignment and an independent writing assignment. These assignments take about 50 minutes.
In a source-based writing assignment, you are asked to read a text and listen to a lecture on the same topic, and then write an essay explaining how the lecture contrasts with the text.
While in an independent writing assignment, you are asked to write an essay expressing your opinion on a specific topic.

Speaking section of the TOEFL test

It aims to measure your ability to speak English fluently, smoothly, accurately and effectively.
This section contains four tasks: two source-based tasks and two independent tasks. These tasks take about 17 minutes.
In source-based assignments, you are asked to listen to talks or lectures, and then give oral answers that summarize, explain, discuss, or contradict what you heard.
In independent assignments, you are asked to give oral answers expressing your opinion, experience or plans on personal or academic topics.
These are the four parts that make up the TOEFL test. Each part needs to use and demonstrate different language skills.
So you should prepare well for each part and practice solving different types of tasks and questions.

What are the benefits and challenges of passing the TOEFL test?

I share with you some important points about this topic in the following lines:

Benefits

There are many benefits to passing the TOEFL test, which are:

Improve your English skills

When you prepare to take the TOEFL test, you improve your English language skills in all areas: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
You learn how to use and understand English better, faster and more accurately.
Learn new and useful vocabulary, grammar, and methods. Develop your abilities in thinking, analysis, deduction and persuasion in the English language.

Opening new opportunities

When you get a good score on the TOEFL test, you open up new opportunities for yourself.
You can apply to educational institutions, companies or government agencies that require a TOEFL certificate as a condition for admission, visa or qualification.
You can also improve your CV and self-confidence by demonstrating a high level of English language skills.

Enhance your culture and knowledge

When you study for the TOEFL test, you enhance your culture and knowledge of the world. You read and listen to texts, talks and lectures on various topics, such as history, geography, science, art and literature.
You learn about new or interesting facts, opinions, and events. You become more open, tolerant and appreciative of different cultures and opinions.

Challenges

There are also some challenges to passing the TOEFL test, which are:
Difficulty and pressure The TOEFL test is a difficult and stressful test. You must demonstrate your English language skills in all areas within three and a half hours.
You must solve multiple-choice questions, write essays, and speak into a microphone. You must focus, pay attention and be quick.

Cost and time

The TOEFL test is an expensive test. You must pay the registration, return and mailing fees. You must book an appointment for the test in advance.
You should devote plenty of time to study and practice before the test. You should also wait for test results for up to four weeks.
These are some of the benefits and challenges of passing the TOEFL test.

What resources do you need to pass the TOEFL test?

There are many resources that you need to use and take advantage of to succeed in the TOEFL test, which are:
Official sources
These are the resources provided by the Educational Testing Service, which is the organization that prepares and administers the TOEFL test, as we mentioned previously.

These resources contain information, tips, strategies, examples, exercises, and official tests on the TOEFL test.
You can use some of the following sources:

● [TOEFL: Official Website]: These resources are the official website for the TOEFL test.
You can find everything you need to know about the TOEFL test; Such as: registration, dates, positions, fees, and results.
You can also find some free resources for preparing for the test; Such as: [TOEFL: Test Preparation] or [TOEFL: Frequently Asked Questions].

● [TOEFL: Official Guide]: It is an official book from the Cultural and Educational Council (Educational Testing Service).
This book contains tips, strategies, examples, and practice for every part of the TOEFL test, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

● [TOEFL: Practice Tests]: Official practice tests from the Educational Testing Service.
Simulates the conditions of the real TOEFL test. You can purchase these tests online or in bookstores. You can solve it on the computer or on paper. You can also see an explanation of each question and its answer.

Unofficial sources

Resources provided by third parties; Such as: companies, institutions, or individuals, which aim to help you prepare for the TOEFL test.
You can use some of the following sources:

TOEFL: Online Courses

These resources are online courses offered by companies or organizations such as [Kaplan], [Magoosh], or [Udemy].
These courses contain video lessons, talks, lectures, texts and questions on the TOEFL test. You can participate in these courses and study at any time.

TOEFL: Books and Guides

These sources are books and guides provided by companies or institutions; Such as: [Barron's], [Princeton Review], or [Cambridge].
These books and guides contain tips, strategies, examples, exercises, and unofficial tests on the TOEFL test. You can purchase these books and guides online or in bookstores.

TOEFL: Blogs and Forums

These sources are blogs and forums; Such as: [Lucas], [Kate], or [Michael].
These blogs and forums contain information, tips, strategies, examples and personal experiences about the TOEFL test.
You can read these blogs and forums and interact with writers and readers.