Dos and Don’ts for International Students Considering Taking the TOEFL Exam


If you’re an international student planning to apply to US universities, and
English is not your first language, chances are you’ve heard of the
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Whether you’re unsure about
taking the test, or need pointers on how to study, these do’s and don’ts will get
you on the right track to ace the TOEFL.
The TOEFL is a comprehensive, multi-faceted exam designed to evaluate your
grasp of the English language. In addition to mastering English, acing the exam
requires strategy, practice, and proper studying.  There’s a lot that international
students need to know in order to prepare for the TOEFL, so here are a few dos
and don’ts for international students preparing to take the TOEFL exam.
Don’t Go into the Exam Expecting a Pen and Paper
If you're taking the TOEFL, it's important to know you're taking an internet-based
test. You won't be working with paper and pen or speaking to a live interviewer,
but rather interfacing with a screen, typing written answers via a keyboard, and
using a microphone to record spoken responses. The best preparation for the
exam therefore means spending a portion of your time familiarizing yourself
with navigating this sort of software; you don't want to find yourself becoming
lost when under timed conditions on test day!
Do Prepare and Strategize
Just like any other exam, the core of effective TOEFL preparation consists of a
good strategy book and, if possible, a tutor. Your initial focus should be learning
the breakdown of the exam: how reading, writing, listening, and speaking are
intermingled; the question types and amounts; how much time is allotted for
each section; and the different kinds of listening exercises involved. After you
have a grasp on the basics, start working on cultivating effective test-taking
strategies. Focus on ways to take better notes while listening, how to scan
passages for keywords, and ways to save time and maintain proper pacing.
Don’t Fixate on Vocabulary and Grammar
Avoid spending all your time drilling vocabulary or trying to cram in grammar
rules. While vocabulary training can be an important supplement to TOEFL
prep, it's more important to develop your holistic grasp of conversational English. The exam only tests grammar and mechanics to the extent that they actually shape sentence meaning, so don't waste time digesting obscure debates about the Oxford comma.
Do Seek out Every Opportunity to Practice
Incorporate language work into your life whenever possible: watching television
shows spoken aloud in English, switching the interfaces of websites like
Facebook to English, listening to podcasts, and practicing your conversation
skills with friends or strangers. Get creative and find small ways sneak studying
into your day-to-day life.
Preparing for the TOEFL doesn’t have to be stressful, but it should be
comprehensive and deliberate. By following these simple dos and don’ts you
should be prepared to ace the exam once it comes time to take it.
In addition to the TOEFL, there are a number of admissions requirements and
strategies that are unique to international students applying to US universities.
Download our free US Admissions Guide for International Students below to
learn what you need to do in order to gain admission to your top-choice US
universities!

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