When it comes to preparing for the TOEFL, building good time management practices can be as important as your knowledge of the content itself. The TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is one of the most universally-accepted examinations that proves an individual’s level of English. With a strong TOEFL score, admission to English and international universities, immigration to English-speaking countries and better employment opportunities all become possible for ESL learners. 

When studying for the TOEFL, a preparation course at ASC English will equip you with a strong understanding of the structure and expectations of the exam. Additionally, you’ll receive personalized guidance, building the skills necessary to excel in the Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing sections. Below, discover a few time management tips you can use to improve your efficiency on test day and earn a winning score.

Don’t Spend Too Much Time on Questions in the Reading Section

During TOEFL training, it can be tempting to spend all the time you need on a single question. However, when completing the reading section, you’ll need a different time management strategy. 

The reading section consists of three or four passages, accompanied by over 30 questions. You’ll want to save 20 minutes for each section, so you can finish within the time limit of 54-72 minutes. When answering questions in the reading section, it’s important to spend no more than one or two minutes on each question, skipping those which are more difficult. When you follow this time management strategy, you’ll have time to return to the questions you’ve skipped at the end of the section.

After TOEFL training, make sure you divide your time during the reading section

Take Effective Notes While Listening After TOEFL Training

The TOEFL’s Listening section consists of both lectures (3-4) and conversations (2-3). During these recordings, you’ll be listening and getting information in order to answer a set of questions. To make sure that you have the information you need to answer the questions, you’ll want to take notes throughout the recording. 

However, it’s important to avoid wasting time by writing down as much as possible. Instead, practice determining the information that’s important to write down, as you’ll only be allowed to listen to the recording once. With effective note-taking strategies, you’ll be prepared to quickly and accurately answer the questions that follow.

Divide Your Time During the Writing Section

During TOEFL test preparation, you’ll learn that the writing section contains both an integrated and an independent question. In the independent question, you’ll be writing an essay within the 30-minute time limit. To make sure that you have enough time to write a complete and accurate essay, you’ll want to apply a few time management practices. 

For one, make sure to save the first 4-5 minutes of the section to create an outline consistent with the TOEFL structure. You’ll then spend the next 20 minutes writing your essay. With the remaining time, you can review your essay for grammatical mistakes and spelling errors to improve your score.

Save time to organize your essay during the writing section

Practice Makes Perfect for the Speaking Section

The Speaking section lasts for 17 minutes. During this time, you’ll complete an independent speaking task and three integrated speaking tasks. Before each question, you’ll have about 15-30 seconds to prepare a response. In order to make the most of these 15-30 seconds, it’s important to practice as much as possible, getting organized for your 45-60 second response. With continued practice, you’ll be able to make the most of the time you have, providing a clear response which demonstrates your English language proficiency.

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