How to Manage Test Anxiety for the TOEFL iBT® Listening Section

To effectively manage test anxiety for TOEFL iBT listening it is essential. This article caters to everything you need to know, such as the TOEFL listening section, tips to deal with anxiety, and how to improve your listening section score. 

So without further ado, let’s jump right into the article   

TOEFL Listening Section

The Listening section of the TOEFL has four parts, each with 30 to 45 questions. There are two types of recordings in TOEFL conversations between English speakers: general English and academic recordings.  

Tips to deal with anxiety for the TOEFL Listening Section 

It is normal to feel anxious while appearing for an exam but you need to learn how to deal with it.  So, Here are some tips to help you deal with anxiety for the TOEFL listening. 

• Breathe in Breathe out!

Breathing in and out during stressful situations helps your nervous system calm down. Taking slower deep breaths before and after exams also helps. 

• Prepare and Rehearse 

Understand the test format and types of questions. Practicing regularly under test conditions under test-like conditions can significantly reduce your anxiety. 

• Fuel the Test Conditions 

Set a timer, practice in a quiet environment, use official TOEFL material, and mimic test conditions, which can help you become accustomed to the pacing of the Listening Section.  

• Practice Active Listening

Listen to various audio materials such as podcasts, TED Talks, and academic lectures.  This will help you adapt to different accents and speaking styles. 

• Use Relaxation Techniques 

Include mindfulness in your routine. Exercises that include  progressive muscle relaxation or guided imagery can help you stay calm and focused during the exam

• Learn to manage your time wisely 

The foremost thing to learn is to manage your time wisely during the test. Avoid spending too much time on one single question; make wise guesses, if you're unsure then move on to maintain a steady pace throughout the section.  

• Take Notes

Take notes while listening. Your focus should be on the key points and the main idea rather than trying to write everything down. To save time, try using abbreviations and symbols. 

• Maintain Positive Mindset 

Build a positive attitude towards the exam. Visualize success and remind yourself of your preparation efforts. A positive attitude can also 

• Stay Healthy

 Physical well-being is equally important, prioritize your physical well-being by maintaining a healthy diet. A healthy body supports a healthy mind. 

• Limit all the distractions around  

Create an environment with minimum distraction, especially during the practice session. This will help you focus when you take the actual test. 

How do I improve my TOEFL Listening Section Score? 

Here are some techniques to improve your listening section score. Incorporate these methods and ace the listening section. 

• Listen to TED  talks, and take notes (interlink Smruthi’s article on “TED Talks to Boost TOEFL Listening Skills”)

Listening to TED Talks is one of the best ways to improve your listening, they offer a variety of videos by skilled speakers which can help you get accustomed to different accents. For more insights, refer to Smruthi’s article “TED Talks to Boost TOEFL Listening Skills.”

• Watch Cosmos to grow intellectually 

Cosmos is one of the best series to watch for intellectual growth. The series combines complex scientific concepts of storytelling which can help you improve your comprehension of academic language.

• “Listen” to episodes from a movie or podcast 

LISTENING to episodes of your favorite movie or podcast can be beneficial. This practice allows you to introduce yourself with conversational English and various accents in a more relaxed setting.

• Watch English Videos on YouTube and Switch off Captions  

Watching YouTube videos on Youtube without switching on the captions forces you to rely solely on your listening skills. This technique helps improve your ability to understand spoken English without visual aids. 

• Listen to NDR’s News and Podcast 

Start listening to NDR’s News and Podcast. These resources provide exposure to professional speech patterns, vocabulary, and current events, all of which are valuable for the TOEFL Listening Section.

This was our article on how to manage anxiety during the listening section. By implementing these strategies, you can effectively manage anxiety and enhance your performance in the TOEFL iBT Listening Section. 

Also Read: 

• Minimum TOEFL iBT® Scores Required for DeVry University 
• Minimum TOEFL iBT® Score for University of North Texas 
• Minimum TOEFL iBT® Scores Required for University at Buffalo