If English is your (or your student’s) second language, taking an English exam like TOEFL iBT can be stressful. Sometimes, this kind of English exam requires more than the language skill, which makes the test even more challenging. We all know that consistent practice improve our language skills. Aside from this very obvious tip, we’ll provide you with some practical tips and tricks that you need to know in order to get a better score on the TOEFL iBT Reading exam.
TOEFL iBT Reading Exam Tips
Here are the top 10 tips and tricks that you should keep in mind to improve your TOEFL iiBT Reading exam score.
1. Grow Your Vocabulary
Read various English texts to strengthen your TOEFL vocabulary. This will help you grasp the meaning of words used in TOEFL reading passages.
2. Highlight Important Information
When reading passages, underline or take notes on key info, main ideas, and supporting details. This will help you find relevant information quickly.
3. Read Quickly and Efficiently
Develop efficient skimming and scanning techniques to quickly find the main idea, headings, and specific details. This is crucial for managing your time effectively.
4. Pay Attention to Transition Words
Transition words like “however,” “moreover,” and “nevertheless” provide clues about relationships between ideas. Recognizing these connections improves your understanding.
5. Practice Time Management
Each reading section has a time limit. Practice managing your time during practice sessions to complete each passage and questions within the given time.
6. Engage with the Passage
Actively think about the author’s purpose, tone, and argument. This helps you answer questions about the author’s viewpoint.
7. Predict Answers Before Reviewing Choices
Think about your answer before looking at the choices. This helps you avoid incorrect options and focus on the most accurate one.
8. Watch Out for Synonyms
TOEFL questions often use different words with similar meanings. Pay attention to these variations and don’t get confused by small changes in wording.
9. Identify Question Types
Get familiar with different question types, like main idea, detail-oriented, inference, and vocabulary questions. Knowing each type helps you approach them strategically.
10. Practice with Real Material
Use official TOEFL practice materials and sample tests to simulate the exam. We also have our own TOEFL reading practice test that we highly recommend you try out. This exposure will make you familiar with the format and types of questions you’ll encounter on test day. Practicing reading short stories and solving reading comprehension questions also help a lot.
General TOEFL iBT Tips
Here are four general tips that you can apply to all sections of the TOEFL iBT exam, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
1. Study Academic English
Unlike some other English exams like the general IELTS test, the TOEFL is all about academic English. You may not have previously studied this kind of language before. Don’t worry—that’s what this book is all about!
2. Practice Focusing for 2-3 Hours at a Time
This test takes a long time—around 2.5 hours for the paper-based one, and 3-4 hours for the computer one. Put your phone away and practice studying for a long period of time, without taking breaks. Get used to focusing for hours.
3. Eat Breakfast and Get a Good Sleep
Make sure you’re at your best for the exam. Get enough sleep the night before. It’s a waste of time to “cram” and “pull an all-nighter!” It’s best to be sharp and focused. Make sure to eat a good, healthy breakfast beforehand. Bring a small snack to eat during the short breaks. Wear a t-shirt and bring a sweater along with you. This way, you can adapt to a hot or cold room and remain comfortable.
4. Improve your English Typing Skills
You may be proficient at typing on a keyboard in your first language, but what about English? If you’re doing the computer-based exam, this is a key factor. Make sure to do an online tutorial to improve your speed and accuracy.
If you’re doing the paper based exam, be sure to bring sharpened pencils, an eraser, and a selection of nice pens.
FAQs About TOEFL iBT Reading Tips
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the tips TOEFL iBT reading test tips and tricks.
How do I improve my TOEFL iBT reading score?
To improve your TOEFL iBT reading score, focus on strategic practice with sample tests, enhance your vocabulary, and refine time management skills. Regularly review and learn from mistakes in practice exams to adapt and improve.
How can I read faster for TOEFL?
Reading faster for TOEFL involves practicing skimming and scanning techniques, gradually increasing your reading speed during practice sessions, and prioritizing comprehension over word-by-word understanding to efficiently navigate passages.
What is a good TOEFL iBT reading score?
A good TOEFL iBT reading score typically falls within the range of 21 to 30. Any score within this range generally reflects strong command of English language skills and effective comprehension of academic passages.
What are the new changes in TOEFL 2023?
TOEFL used to be three hours, but since July 2023, the exam takes less than two hours to complete. The TOEFL iBT reading section is now shorter.
What does iBT mean in TOEFL?
In TOEFL, iBT stands for Internet-Based Test. It signifies that the test is administered online, covering four main sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
What is the difference between TOEFL iBT and normal TOEFL?
The primary difference between TOEFL iBT and the traditional TOEFL (PBT – Paper-Based Test) lies in the format. While both assess English language proficiency, TOEFL iBT is conducted online and includes integrated tasks, whereas the traditional TOEFL is paper-based and has separate sections for listening, structure, and reading.
TOEFL iBT Reading Tips: Join the Conversation
Are you trying to improve your TOEFL iBT Reading score? Let us know which tips was the most useful! We’d love to hear from you.
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