Top 7 Tips to Prepare for TOEFL iBT® Exam in 2025

As the TOEFL exam approaches, it's important to take a strategic approach to your preparation. Top 7 Tips to Prepare for TOEFL Exam can make all the difference in maximizing your chances of success. From understanding the exam format to enhancing your reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills, these tips will guide you through each step of the process. Let’s dive into these practical tips that will help you manage time, build vocabulary, and boost your performance.

Top 7 Tips to Prepare for TOEFL Exam

Here are the Top 7 Tips to Prepare for TOEFL Exam to help you strategically approach your preparation and maximize your chances of achieving a high score: 

Tip 1: Understand the TOEFL Format

Familiarise yourself with the TOEFL iBT format which consists of a Reading section with 20 questions to be completed in 35 minutes. The Listening section incorporates 4-6 audio clips, and participants are allotted 36 minutes to answer related questions. The Speaking section entails 4 tasks, including 1 Independent Task and 3 Integrated Tasks, to be completed within a 16-minute timeframe. And finally, the Writing section comprises 2 tasks, involving 1 Independent Task and 1 Writing for an Academic Discussion Task, with a total time limit of 29 minutes.

Each section presents distinct challenges, and knowing the structure and question types will provide you with a clear roadmap. This knowledge not only aids in efficient planning but also allows you to tailor your study approach to the specific demands of each section, ultimately enhancing your overall performance on test day.

Refine your preparation with the TOEFL iBT® Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2025 for a clearer understanding of the test structure.

Tip 2: Develop Strong Time Management Skills

Time is a critical factor in the TOEFL exam. As you approach your preparation, practice answering questions within the allocated time for each section. This not only ensures that you become adept at managing time constraints but also instills a sense of familiarity with the pacing required on test day. 

Effective time management is integral to tackling the diverse challenges presented in each section, from reading and listening comprehension to spoken and written responses.

Tip 3: Enhance Your Reading and Listening Skills

To excel in the Reading and Listening sections, dedicate regular practice to reading academic texts and listening to English lectures or conversations. Focus on extracting main ideas, understanding details, and making inferences. 

This practice not only sharpens your comprehension skills but also exposes you to the diverse contexts and topics presented in the TOEFL exam. A robust foundation in reading and listening will significantly contribute to your success in these sections.

Tip 4: Master Speaking and Writing Tasks

For the Speaking and Writing sections, mastery lies in consistent practice. Speak English aloud to enhance your spoken language fluency and respond to prompts regularly. In the writing section, work on organising your ideas coherently and expressing them with clarity. 

Seek constructive feedback from teachers to refine your spoken and written abilities. This iterative process of practice and feedback is instrumental in honing your skills for these interactive sections.

Tip 5: Build a Robust Vocabulary

A rich vocabulary is a valuable asset in the TOEFL exam. Strengthen your word bank by diversifying your reading materials to include academic articles, newspapers, and literature. 

A varied vocabulary not only aids in the Reading and Listening sections but also contributes to more articulate responses in the Speaking and Writing sections. Make a conscious effort to incorporate new words into your daily language use to enhance retention and application.

You might find this helpful:  Top 5 Tips to Master English Vocabulary for TOEFL iBT®

Tip 6: Take Practice Tests

Regularly subject yourself to full-length practice tests under simulated exam conditions. This immersive experience helps you acclimate to the time constraints, builds stamina, and reveals potential areas for improvement. 

Analyse your performance after each practice test to identify patterns, strengths, and weaknesses. Adjust your study plan accordingly, focusing on refining the strategies that align with your test-taking strengths and addressing areas that require improvement.

Tip 7: Get Feedback and Adjust Your Strategy

Feedback is a powerful tool in your TOEFL preparation toolkit. Seek input from teachers, participate in online forums, or enroll in TOEFL preparation courses to receive valuable insights into your performance. 

Use this feedback to identify weaknesses and adjust your study strategy accordingly. Continuous improvement based on constructive criticism is key to achieving success in the TOEFL iBT exam. Regularly reassess your approach and make informed adjustments to ensure a targeted and effective study plan.

I hope this blog on the Top 7 Tips to Prepare for TOEFL Exam has provided you with useful strategies for effective preparation. By following these tips, you'll be better equipped to tackle each section and achieve your desired score. Good luck with your TOEFL preparation!

Additional Resources:

• How to Score 30/30 on the TOEFL Listening?
• 10 Tips to Balance TOEFL iBT® Exam Preparation with a Full-Time Job
• 10 Common TOEFL Mistakes You Must Avoid
• How to Use AI Tools for TOEFL Speaking Practice
• Time Management Tips for TOEFL Reading Section
• Best Podcasts and Audio Resources for TOEFL® Listening Practice