TOEFL GUIDELINES: READING

The most important instruction is to: NEVR READ EACH AND EVERY LINE.

That is the key of time saving. You should not be reading each and every line. You are supposed to read the first paragraph very carefully to get an idea about the passage. Then skim through the rest of the paragraphs and note down what each paragraph of the passage is about. In this way you will know which paragraph to read while answering a specific question.

Look for the words having

1.      SAME DIRECTION: and, because, even, therefore, another, for example, one reason, due to

2.      OPPOSITE DIRECTION: although, however, yet, despite, but, in contrast to, on the other hand, rather

TYPES OF QUESTIONS:

·         FACTUAL: You will be asked about a FACT or any FIGURE stated in the paragraph. These types of questions are very simple.

·         NON-FACTUAL: You will be asked about any other thing apart from an obvious fact stated in the passage.

·         INFERENCE: you will be asked about the purpose of some line. You will have to deduce yourself that what that paragraph is stating because it will not be mentioned exactly, you will have to “infer” it from the paragraph.

·         RHETORICAL: these will include questions like: to illustrate, to explain, to contrast, to refute, to note, to support

·         VOCABULARY: you will be asked about any word used in the passage and you will have to select its meaning with reference to the usage in that specific sentence

·         REFERENCE: there will be questions with specific reference in the passage, e.g in line 21..

·         SENTENCE SIMPLIFICATION: You will be asked to choose a sentence which simplifies a complex sentence of a paragraph. Remember: in simplification you must not chose an option which is not covering ALL essential elements.

·         INSERT TEXT: You will be asked to insert a sentence in the passage and three or four locations will be given. You will have to choose the most suitable place keeping in mind the context and fluency of the passage.

·         SUMMARY: the passage will have a question in the end about summary. There will be points given and you will have to choose 4 that will summarize the whole passage. This is very tricky. Keep in mind you don’t a line that is not related to the major topic of discussion. The main idea of the passage and all the important points from every paragraph should be covered.

·         FILL IN A TABLE: Either a passage will have a summary question or fill in a table question. In this case too you will have to carefully choose the sentences falling in each category mentioned in the table. Make sure that you don’t chose a sentence which is true BUT is not mentioned in the passage.

TIP: one very useful tip for choosing the answer is that if you don’t know the right answer you can start crossing out the options for which you know that is not right. So you start eliminating the wrong options. In this way you will have more chances of getting the right answer.

OVERALL TOEFL GUIDELINES

Although I might not remember all the things still I will state the overall experience.

I prepared for at most one week from the two sources:

1)      ETS online TOEFL course

2)      Princeton Review 2017 edition

Both were very helpful resources and I didn’t need a third resource neither I had time for that. Some people think that those who have scored excellent in verbal can secure good marks in TOEFL too. This is a misconception. I have seen people getting great marks in TOEFL while their GRE was low and those getting lower marks in TOEFL whose GRE verbal was good.

BECAUSE:

You need to understand the format of every test. You need to know what are the things that they look for, precisely. What should be the format of your answer? What should be the structure of your essay? How to start and how to conclude? Which words should be your preferred ones while speaking? How to support an idea and how to refute it? How many reasons or examples to support your opinion? This is what is more important than your vocabulary. TOEFL is not about memorizing 1000 words, it’s about understanding the sentence structure and understanding the meaning behind each sentence spoken, written or illustrated.

FORMAT:

Coming towards the format it is divided into four particular sections:

1.      Reading: You will be given passages and each passage will have 5-7 questions and each question will be of different type

2.      Listening: You will have to listen to some conversations and answer the questions. Once answered you cannot go back and change them.

3.      Speaking: It will be a combination of reading and listening. There will be two types of questions. One that are open and about a general thing. Second, about a specific topic and you will have to take notes about that while listening or reading.

4.      Writing: It will require you to write two essays. This section will also require your listening and reading skills.

So the complexity level increases as you go for each level of the test.

AT THE CENTER:

Do bring your proof of ID, a valid one ofcourse, and also your registration proof to the center. You might be asked to do some paper work, for their own record. Then you will deposit your stuff (handbag, wallet, jewelry, watch etc.) in a locker. After that you will be taken to a room where your picture will be taken and you will be asked to read a few lines (that will be written on a piece of paper), to record your voice. This is to validate your response from the test. After that you will go through screening and security checks, you will check in your time and go to your seat.

You will be given PENCIL AND PAPER, there is no need to bring your own neither you will be allowed to take your own. You will be given two pencils, if one goes rough you can always ask for a sharped one, as you will have to write a lot. You will be asked initially to speak something just to check if the mike and headphones are working. You will then validate your details on the computer screen and start your test.

TIP: try to enter the test hall as early as possible so that you can start your speaking section before the others start speaking, because most of the centers are not sound proof and you cannot concentrate much.

One more observation that I would like to share in this post is that I saw a pattern in the paragraphs or conversations regarding to the major fields. One passage or conversation will be from Psychology, one from Physical Sciences (Physics/ Astronomy), one from Environmental Sciences, one from Biology/Chemistry and one from Arts (Literature/Music/Architecture). That is what I observed during the test.

Do make your mind of spending 3 to 4 hours in the test center. Be patient, because this is what these tests are all about. I know at the end you will be fed up of listening, reading and writing English. But you will have to endure it for your own good. It is not that tough if you follow the guidelines.

More on separate section and types of questions: COMING SOON J

Cheers!!

RMK J