TOEFL Strategies: How to Pass the TOEFL with Confidence

The key to scoring high in a TOEFL exam is to know well the structure of the exam. It prevents you from losing points in preventable mistakes. Often the mistakes made in TOEFL aren’t due to lack of topic knowledge but rather due to panic or stress of unfamiliarity.

⚡ TOEFL Mastery: 4 Pillars of Success

• Academic Focus: Unlike other exams, TOEFL is 100% academic. Practice with university-level lectures and articles.
• Note-Taking is a Must: You can only hear audios once. Developing a shorthand system for note-taking is your biggest advantage.
• Integrated Tasks: Prepare for tasks that combine skills (e.g., reading and listening before speaking).
• Mindset & Timing: The exam is long; building mental endurance is as important as learning the grammar.

Understanding TOEFL 

TOEFL is one of the most recognized language proficiency exams. Its goal is to assess if you can not only use English in real life situations but also to understand Academic material. Having a TOEFL certificate opens the door of foreign universities for you. 

Understanding what TOEFL is for and why is it different from other exams is important, that’s why proper support from excellent institutions like Canadian College can set you the right path. 

⏳ TOEFL iBT Structure: Master Your Time

Success in the TOEFL iBT is not just about your English level; it’s about mastering the clock. Knowing exactly how much time you have for each section prevents panic and allows you to distribute your energy effectively. Here is a quick breakdown of what to expect on test day

How to Ace TOEFL Reading and Listening?

Reading and listening are the two passive linguistic skills that assess your ability to absorb or understand what is being said in the language. 

These tips are the first step towards preparing for TOEFL; you need constant feedback from experts to enhance your progress. Explore Canadian College’s TOEFL courses for best results. 

Reading tips 

The following are the tried and tested methods to improve your reading skills:

• Read every day – Reading is a skill that is best developed gradually and daily efforts. Even if it’s a paragraph or a short article, read something in English daily. It makes your brain used to the language. 
• Skimming – Skimming is to go through the text quickly to grasp the main idea of what the text is about by paying attention to heading, subheadings, key words and first or last sentences. Practice skimming daily with anything you choose to read.
• Scanning – Scanning is to scan the text to look for specific information. After looking at the questions, scan the text to find answers to those questions. You can do so by paying close attention to numbers, keywords etc. 

Listening tips 

• Expose yourself to various accents – One of the most challenging parts of listening part is to be able to understand different English accents. Often candidates have the English level to understand the listening but not the familiarity with the accent it’s said in. 
• Practice active listening – Even though listening is a passive skill, to improve your listening skills, it’s essential to train yourself to listen to pay attention to key or important information. 
• Watch or listen to your favorite content in English – Getting your brain a new language requires daily practice. You can do so by listening to your favorite podcasts or TV series in English. 

How to Ace TOEFL Writing and Speaking?

Writing and speaking are the two active language skills where you produce more than you absorb. 

Writing tips 

• Respond to all parts of the task – Often the writing task contains multiple questions in one task. It’s vital that you respond to all parts.
• One idea per paragraph – One of the best ways to keep your answer clear and concise to include only one topic per paragraph instead of mixing many opinions in one. 
• Manage time – It is easier to write coherently when your ample amount of time but with limited time we fail to present ideas precisely. Practice writing with a timer at home. 

Speaking tips  

• Record yourself- It helps you to be more articulate and have better pronunciation. 
• Converse – Find spaces where you can speak in English daily. 

Study plan for TOEFL 

Preparing for the TOEFL iBT is more than just a test of your English; it’s a test of your ability to handle academic challenges under pressure. By mastering the structure and using these strategies, you are turning a stressful experience into a manageable task. Remember, the right preparation makes all the difference in your final results. At Canadian College, our expert instructors are dedicated to helping you reach the score you need for your professional and academic growth. Your journey to academic excellence begins today

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between IELTS and TOEFL?

The most fundamental difference between two is that IELTS is made to measure your English level in real life situation whereas TOEFL focuses on measuring your ability to use English in academic context, like studying a degree. 

Which one is easier, IELTS or TOEFL?

IELTS is a bit easier compared to TOEFL. For TOEFL you need to have good academic level of English while IELTS is more about English in real life. 

How long is TOEFL valid?

TOEFL certificate is valid for 2 years from the date of the test. 

How long it takes to be ready for TOEFL?

It depends on what score you need and what is your current English level. With a focused study plan with consistent practice, it takes 10-12 weeks for many learners.

References

• Educational Testing Service [ETS]. (2024). TOEFL iBT Test Content and Format. https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/about/content.html
• Magoosh English Learning. (2026). TOEFL Score Ranges: What is a Good Score? https://magoosh.com/toefl/toefl-scores/‍
• Educational Testing Service [ETS]. (2024). Prepare para la prueba TOEFL iBT. https://www.es.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/prepare.html
• Educational Testing Service [ETS]. (2024). Understanding your TOEFL iBT scores. https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/scores/understand-scores.html
• U.S. News Education. (2023, 20 de julio). The complete guide to the TOEFL test. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/the-complete-guide-to-the-toefl-test