What is the best way to study for TOEFL® at home?

The TOEFL iBT® test is crucial for non-native English speakers looking to study in an English-speaking country. Passing the test requires language proficiency, which takes time and dedication to build. In this article, we will break down the best way to study for taking the TOEFL at home, including different ways to study for individual sections.

Before starting your studies, it’s important you understand the test format.

TOEFL iBT has 4 sections: Reading, Speaking, Listening and Writing.

Reading: This section will contain passages followed by questions about the content.

Speaking: This section requires a student to talk about a familiar topic and discuss material they have read or heard.

Listening: This section includes lectures and classroom discussions followed by questions.

Writing: This section requires students to read a passage, listen to a recording and provide a response.

The test takes an average of 2 hours, though students should allocate 2.5 hours, including check-in.

Giving yourself enough time to study is crucial to feeling confident on test day. It’s advised that you register for the test 3 to 4 months before you want to take it. This gives you time to find a TOEFL testing time that fits your schedule in advance.

You can personalize your home studies with TOEFL® TestReady™. TOEFL TestReady is a tailored, interactive platform designed to enhance your study routine. It includes personalized practice exercises, realistic mock tests and a user-friendly interface to track your progress.

A study schedule is key to organization. Schedule time to study for at least 5 hours a week in the run up to your test. This time should be spread across several days to avoid becoming overwhelmed. As part of your schedule, organize what topic and section you’ll study, prioritizing topics that you need more help with.

Expert Tip: If possible study at the same time you pan to take your exam. As you get closer to your test date, practice in the same room you plan to test in to get comfortable with the environment.

Organizing your study space is key for avoiding distractions and optimizing your focus. Make sure all study materials are easily accessible and you have water nearby to stay hydrated.

While studying you can play relaxing music to increase your focus. Alternatively, you might prefer to work in silence. Find what works for you and build your study space around it.

Take full advantage of digital courses, guides and practice tests. For optimal results, choose official TOEFL test prep and set aside time to complete mock tests. Mock tests are a great way to get a sense of how your exam will feel. Consider purchasing the TOEFL Practice Online Trio to track your progression over time.

Take A Practice Test

The best way to improve your reading is to read as much English as you can every day. This doesn’t necessarily need to be as part of your study block. If you have time, read college-level textbooks, magazines and news articles. These are great ways to practice by reading something that’s both engaging and educational.

Expert Tip: Read things that naturally interest you. If you like food, read a food blog. If you like dance, read a dancing magazine. If you like health and wellness, read online articles. By reading something you find interesting, you’re much more likely to stick with it.

After reading a large passage, write a brief summary of the key points in the text. This will help you build skills that are required for your test without the pressure of a testing environment.

Start with the main points of the text, then talk about supporting details. Once written, you can correct any spelling or grammatical errors.

Is a particular word consistently causing you problems? Create a word journal! In this journal, note down new words or words you find trouble understanding. When you have time, read through the journey to learn the spelling, meaning and how to use it.

You can also create flashcards with certain words to quiz yourself or ask someone to quiz you.

If possible, spend time with English-speaking friends. Start conversations in English about a range of topics from what you did that day to your future goals, university life and more. If you don’t have any friends nearby phone and video calls are great alternatives. The more you practice speaking English the more confident you’ll feel in your exam.

Listening to recordings is a great way to practice your English without feeling like you’re in a test environment. You can listen to recordings around your home while completing everyday tasks. By immersing yourself in recordings you can discover new words, sentences and phrases to use when speaking English.

Unlike many written pieces, many recordings are also completely free. You can listen to podcasts, English TV shows, YouTube videos, lectures and more. To maximize your learning, write down the main points you learned during the recording followed by key details.

While exam’s can feel stressful, it’s important to enjoy your learning experience. Studying English is a fantastic way to unlock new opportunities both studying abroad and beyond.

While studying, it’s important to find activities you enjoy. Study sessions should be both challenging and fun, allowing you to learn without feeling overwhelmed.

For more personalized practice exercises and mock tests check out our website and sign up for TOEFL TestReady.