The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test evaluates someone’s English language proficiency in an academic context, making it a crucial gateway for non-native speakers aiming to study, work, or immigrate abroad. Organized by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), this standardized exam assesses four core skills: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Unlike casual English usage, TOEFL focuses on university-level comprehension and expression, simulating real classroom and campus scenarios to ensure test-takers can handle rigorous academic environments effectively.
Thorough preparation is essential to face the TOEFL test, especially if you aspire to work or study abroad where English is the primary language of instruction and communication. A high TOEFL score not only opens doors to prestigious universities but also demonstrates your readiness to engage in complex discussions, write research papers, and understand lectures delivered at native speeds. Here are important tips for preparing yourself for the TOEFL test to achieve the highest scores, backed by proven strategies used by top scorers worldwide.
Read also: TOEFL Courses Jakarta: Improving English Proficiency for Academic Purposes. These structured programs provide targeted training that aligns with TOEFL’s unique demands, helping you build foundational skills while addressing common pitfalls faced by Indonesian test-takers.
Tips for Successful TOEFL Preparation
1. Take TOEFL Preparation Classes
One effective step to achieve the maximum score on the TOEFL test is by taking preparation courses. While you can study independently at home using free online resources, taking courses has several advantages that cannot be ignored. Professional guidance from certified instructors ensures you understand the test format inside out, from integrated tasks that combine skills to independent questions that test standalone abilities.
Preparation courses allow you to obtain relevant test content and lessons tailored to current ETS standards. Additionally, the course schedule will help you stay more organized in your studies, preventing procrastination and ensuring consistent progress. Direct interaction with experienced tutors or classmates is also a valuable addition, offering peer feedback, group discussions, and mock interviews that mimic real exam pressure. Although courses require financial investment, with determination and maximum effort, you will achieve satisfactory scores that justify the cost through better opportunities.
For those of you who still don’t know the required TOEFL scores at several top universities worldwide, which might be some of the universities you’re considering, you can see required TOEFL Score. Understanding these benchmarks motivates targeted preparation and helps set realistic goals.
2. Consistency in Learning
Practice makes perfect. Whatever you’re learning, consistency in practice is the key to mastering it. The same applies to TOEFL test preparation. You need to study with discipline and consistency to achieve high scores, as sporadic efforts often lead to forgotten concepts and uneven skill development.
A daily or weekly study schedule is something you could make. For example, focus on grammar and vocabulary building on the first day, improve reading comprehension and note-taking on the second day, practice listening to academic lectures on the third, and dedicate time to speaking responses and writing essays accordingly. Allocate at least 1-2 hours every day for studying, breaking it into focused sessions to maintain concentration. Not only study theory, but also allocate time for solving full-length practice questions under timed conditions. Imagine you’re taking the actual TOEFL test while doing these exercises—this approach will help you be more serious, build stamina, and reduce anxiety on exam day.
3. Rich Vocabulary, Solid Grammar
Expanding your vocabulary and improving your understanding of grammar are keys to conquering TOEFL questions. Why is that? When facing the reading session, you will encounter various texts like scientific articles, historical excerpts, or campus-related passages that might use advanced academic vocabulary you haven’t encountered before, such as terms from biology, economics, or environmental science.
Grammar also plays an important role when facing the writing and speaking sessions. Good grammar helps connect every word in your sentence coherently, ensuring logical flow and clarity. Proper grammar usage is also evaluated in integrated writing tasks where you summarize lectures and readings. Common areas include complex sentence structures, subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and preposition accuracy—mastering these prevents point deductions.
Additionally, the listening and speaking sessions are integral parts of the TOEFL test. Questions usually consist of campus conversations, academic lectures, or discussions that might use idiomatic expressions and discipline-specific jargon different from everyday English.
Therefore, it’s recommended to read more news from reputable sources like BBC, CNN, or The New York Times, academic articles, and English literature classics. Note down unfamiliar words, understand their definitions, synonyms, antonyms, and usage in context. Try forming sentences using those words according to the applicable grammar rules, and review them daily through flashcards or apps like Anki for spaced repetition.
In essence, don’t just rely on rote memorization. Study and deeply understand the usage of words and grammar rules through application in writing and speaking practice. This holistic approach builds intuitive language use, essential for scoring 25+ in each section.
4. Practice Skimming or Speed Reading
TOEFL test preparation also requires practicing speed reading techniques. During the exam, limited time—typically 54-72 minutes for 30-40 questions in reading—forces you to read quickly without sacrificing comprehension. Therefore, skimming skills (finding main information) and scanning for details need to be practiced regularly to process passages efficiently.
Skimming is a method of quickly reading to find the essence of a text, focusing on topic sentences, headings, and keywords. By mastering this technique alongside scanning for specific data like dates or names, your reading time will be more efficient, allowing you to answer inference, vocabulary, and reference questions accurately.
Read also: IELTS vs TOEFL: Choosing the Right Exam. Understanding similarities and differences helps prioritize skills like skimming, which is vital for both but executed differently in passage types.
5. Get Used to Listening to English
Apart from the reading and writing stages, the TOEFL exam also includes a listening section with 28-39 questions based on 3-4 lectures and 2-3 conversations. In this stage, you will listen to conversations or explanations in English—often with American, British, Australian, or New Zealand accents—and answer related questions on main ideas, details, and speaker intent.
This listening stage might be challenging if you’re not accustomed to listening to native English speakers at natural speeds, around 150-180 words per minute. Accent variations, idioms, and reduced forms can make understanding difficult, leading to missed points.
To succeed in this stage, it’s important to familiarize your ear with the sound of English daily. Watch English-language movies without subtitles, podcasts on topics like TED Talks or NPR, or music videos with lyrics. Start with slower content and gradually increase speed; take notes while listening to practice summarizing, a key TOEFL skill. With this practice, you will become more accustomed to accent variations, conversation content in English, and improve note-taking for better recall during questions.
Want to become fluent in English but still confused about where to start learning? Well, you can begin by watching movies. Here are some movie recommendations that you can watch while learning English. Recommended movies for Learning English! Films like “The King’s Speech” or “Dead Poets Society” offer clear diction and academic themes relevant to TOEFL.
6. Practice Speaking with a Partner
Having a partner is crucial to improve speaking skills, as TOEFL speaking involves 4 tasks: 1 independent (personal opinion) and 3 integrated (summarizing reading/listening). If you’re taking a course, the tutor will be your learning partner, providing structured prompts and immediate feedback on fluency, pronunciation, and coherence.
If you’re not taking a course, you can practice speaking with friends who are proficient in English via language exchange apps like Tandem or HelloTalk. Moreover, recording conversations with yourself using your phone can also be helpful—respond to sample prompts within 45-60 seconds, then evaluate for filler words, grammar errors, and intonation. Regular practice builds confidence, reduces hesitation, and helps achieve scores of 26+ in speaking.
7. Organize Key Points in the Writing Test
The writing test requires a considerable amount of time—50 minutes for two tasks: integrated (20 minutes, summarize lecture vs. reading) and independent (30 minutes, essay). Besides honing grammar and vocabulary, you need to manage your time well while writing to avoid rushed conclusions. One trick is to create key points or an outline before writing full paragraphs.
With these key points—such as thesis statement, supporting examples, and counterarguments—you’ll have a clear guide on what to write. This approach will help save time, make your writing more structured, easily understood, and score higher on task fulfillment, organization, and language use. Practice typing 300-350 words for independent essays to meet length requirements without fluff.
Read also: TOEFL Preparation: The Complete Guide to Success in the TOEFL Exam. This resource dives deeper into writing templates and common errors.
Type of TOEFL Exams
TOEFL exams are divided into two main types, namely the Internet Based Test (IBT) and the Institutional Testing Program (ITP). Each serves different purposes, with IBT being the global standard for admissions. Here is an explanation of each type of exam, including structure, scoring, and ideal use cases to help you choose wisely.
TOEFL IBT (Internet Based Test)
Internet Based Test (IBT) is a type of TOEFL exam conducted online using an internet connection and computer at certified test centers. IBT is a new technology that replaces the Paper Based Test (PBT) and Computer Based Test (CBT), integrating real-life academic tasks. This type of exam can be referred to as the latest generation of TOEFL or Next Generation TOEFL, with adaptive elements in some sections.
Initially, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) introduced the IBT exam in 2005. In Indonesia, this exam was introduced in 2006 and has since become the preferred format for international applications. Besides ETS, other official institutions may also conduct this exam under strict protocols.
TOEFL IBT can be used for various purposes, ranging from university admissions (both domestically and internationally, with scores accepted by over 11,000 institutions in 150+ countries), to seeking employment in international companies requiring proof of English proficiency for roles in research, management, or technical fields.
Explore the key differences between TOEFL ITP, iBT, and PBT. Learn which test format aligns with your language proficiency goals. Find expert insights and guidance on choosing the Right TOEFL Format.
TOEFL ITP (Institutional Testing Program)
TOEFL Institutional Testing Program (ITP) is a type of exam that still uses paper in its administration for most cases, though digital versions exist. This means that exam participants must fill out answer sheets with pencils, focusing on multiple-choice questions without speaking or writing components.
ITP exams are organized by non-profit institutions in the United States in Jakarta, serving as the main organizers in the country, often for internal assessments or placement. TOEFL ITP certificates are issued by ETS in Princeton, New Jersey, USA, ensuring authenticity.
TOEFL ITP is usually used to measure individual abilities for baseline proficiency, continue education domestically at local universities, or apply for jobs in Indonesian companies. Sometimes, it is also used for scholarship applications in initial screening phases, but usually only in the selection phase. If selected, scholarship providers usually request TOEFL IBT scores for final verification due to its comprehensive nature.
Read also: List and Fees of the Five Recommended Places to Take the TOEFL Test. Choosing a reliable center ensures smooth registration and valid results.
Differences between TOEFL IBT and ITP
Although both are official exams administered under ETS guidelines, there are some differences between TOEFL IBT and ITP in terms of scope, administration, and acceptance. Here are some of the differences broken down categorically for clarity:
Purpose and Function
- TOEFL IBT can be used to apply to various types of institutions, both domestically and internationally, including top universities like Harvard or Oxford, international companies for visa purposes, and for global scholarship applications such as Fulbright or Chevening.
- Meanwhile, TOEFL ITP is usually used to measure individual abilities for internal training, pursue education domestically at Indonesian campuses, and seek employment in local firms where basic proficiency suffices.
Exam Type
- As the name suggests, the TOEFL Internet Based Test (IBT) is conducted online using a computer and an internet connection in secure test centers. The IBT exam covers all four skills: reading (3 passages, 30 questions), writing (2 tasks), listening (4-6 audio clips), and speaking (4 tasks), with integrated questions testing multiple skills simultaneously.
- On the other hand, the TOEFL ITP exam still uses paper in its administration for traditional delivery, though digital options are emerging. However, it is possible that ITP may be conducted online or with remote proctoring in some institutions. The ITP exam includes only three sections: listening comprehension (50 questions), structure and written expression (40 questions), and reading comprehension (50 questions), without speaking or essay writing.
Prepare yourself for the TOEFL iBT exam and improve your English skills with the crucial online tests with high score as a goal, here. Simulated environments build familiarity and reduce surprises.
Exam Duration
- The exam duration can vary depending on the administering institution and number of experimental questions. However, TOEFL IBT typically includes a maximum of 72 minutes for reading, 57 minutes for listening, 17 minutes for speaking, and 50 minutes for writing. There is usually a 10-minute break between listening and speaking. So, overall, the IBT exam takes about 3-3.5 hours, including check-in.
- Meanwhile, TOEFL ITP includes 35 minutes for listening comprehension, 25 minutes for structure and written expression, and 55 minutes for reading comprehension, totaling around 115 minutes without breaks.
Validity Period
Both types of TOEFL exams have the same validity period. According to the Educational Testing Service (ETS), TOEFL ITP and IBT scores are internationally recognized for two years from the date of the exam, after which they expire and cannot be reported to institutions.
Cost and Fees
TOEFL IBT is much more expensive than TOEFL ITP due to its comprehensive format and global administration. Generally, the cost of the ITP exam ranges from Rp400,000 to Rp600,000 in Indonesia, while the cost of the IBT exam can reach Rp3-3.5 million, varying by location and including potential late fees or rescheduling charges.
Scoring
Both types of TOEFL exams do not deduct points for incorrect answers, encouraging educated guesses. However, there is separate scoring for the speaking and writing sections in the TOEFL IBT exam by human raters and AI. The TOEFL IBT score range is 0 to 120, with separate scores for listening (0-30), speaking (0-30), reading (0-30), and writing (0-30), allowing targeted improvement. Meanwhile, the total score for TOEFL ITP ranges from 310 to 677 (converted from raw scores), with section scores of 31-68 each.
Required TOEFL Score and find out the TOEFL scores expected by top universities abroad, such as 100+ for Ivy League schools.
On the journey to success in the TOEFL test, there are several important tips that can assist test-takers in achieving their desired scores. Understanding the test structure and question formats—such as vocabulary in context, pronoun reference, or function questions—practicing listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills in English, as as developing effective strategies for each test section, are crucial aspects that cannot be overlooked. Utilizing high-quality learning resources such as official ETS guidebooks, TPO (TOEFL Practice Online), and reputable apps like Magoosh or Manhattan Prep can enhance preparation and confidence through realistic simulations.
It’s important to remember that thorough and persistent preparation is the key to succeeding in the TOEFL test. This not only improves test scores but also equips individuals with a profound English language proficiency that can be applied across various academic and professional contexts in the future, from participating in seminars to drafting reports. By following the tips and steps outlined in this article, prospective TOEFL test-takers are expected to approach the exam confidently and achieve remarkable accomplishments that pave the way for international opportunities.
By implementing these seven tips consistently over 2-3 months, you’ll be ready to face the TOEFL test with confidence. Stay motivated in your studies by tracking progress with weekly mocks, and may this information be beneficial in your language journey!
FAQs
How do I register for the TOEFL exam?
You can register online through the official TOEFL website by creating an ETS account, or contact designated registration centers like IIEF in Indonesia. You’ll need to choose a location, date, and exam time according to availability, pay via credit card or voucher, and receive confirmation 4-7 days prior.
What is the maximum TOEFL score?
The maximum score for TOEFL IBT is 120, with each section (reading, listening, speaking, writing) being scored from 0 to 30. For ITP, it’s 677. Aim for balanced scores to meet university minima.
How can I prepare for the Listening and Reading sections?
You can consistently practice listening and reading English materials from academic sources. Listening to news podcasts like BBC Learning English, and reading passages from National Geographic or Scientific American can help enhance your skills in identifying main ideas, details, and inferences.
How do I prepare for the Speaking section?
You can practice by recording yourself speaking about various topics using TOEFL prompts. Try answering questions spontaneously within time limits, focus on clear pronunciation, varied vocabulary, and logical organization to score well.
How do I prepare for the Writing section?
Practicing writing essays on various topics will help you prepare for this section. Make sure to have a well-structured introduction with thesis, body paragraphs with examples, and conclusion; use transitions for coherence.
Are there recommended learning resources?
There are many learning resources available, including official TOEFL guidebooks from ETS, online courses with video lessons, practice tests, and English learning apps like Duolingo for vocabulary or Grammarly for writing feedback.
How many retakes are allowed for the TOEFL exam?
The TOEFL exam can be taken as many times as you’d like, but there is a 3-day gap between each attempt to prevent fatigue. Make sure to review the TOEFL official website’s re-registration rules and use previous score reports for improvement analysis.
How long are TOEFL exam results valid?
TOEFL results generally remain valid for 2 years from the test date. After that, you’ll need to retake the exam if your results have expired, as ETS deletes scores post-validity.
Well, now you know what you need to prepare for a successful TOEFL journey. Let’s start your TOEFL preparation to achieve a score that meets the requirements of your target universities. There are many online practice tests available on the internet, but still feeling confused? Join us now! Our expert-led programs include personalized study plans, unlimited mocks, and score guarantee options to maximize your potential.
