11 tips to score good in TOEFL

Studying for the TOEFL can be intimidating, particularly if you are aiming for a very high score. But with the right approach, steady practice, and a focused study plan, you can do extremely well on the exam. To make it easier for you to get going, here are 11 useful tips that will help you prepare for the TOEFL efficiently and effectively. 

What is the TOEFL iBT?

TOEFL iBT The TOEFL® iBT (Internet-based Test) is a test of your ability to use English in an academic setting. It consists of four parts of the test:

• Reading

• Listening

• Speaking

• Writing

Understanding the Scoring System

Your total score is on a scale of 0 to 120.  You could earn up to 30 points for each section. Most universities require 80+, while competitive programs are expecting 100+.

11 Tips for Scoring Well on the TOEFL

Below, we have figured out 11 tips to score well on the TOEFL. Go through them to have a good idea of scoring well on the TOEFL. 

1. Familiarise Yourself with the Format of TOEFL

• It is important that you soak in the format of the exam, as that will help you prepare well for your exam.
• Also, make yourself comfortable with the pattern by practising according to it, so you don’t feel surprised when you are actually writing the exam.
• You can read about the details of the format of the TOEFL in this article.

2. Set Yourself a Goal

• Set yourself an achievable goal, and maybe a bit of the criteria set by your University to be on the safer side. A goal will help you plan your studies accordingly. 
• As they say, action without a goal is just directionless; you won’t know where you are going or what you are doing without setting a goal. 
• When you have a goal in mind, you will have clarity about your score and also a plan of action to achieve that.

3. Personalise your Plan:

• Every person or student has their share of strengths and weaknesses. So do not try to copy study plans from your batch mates or friends. 
• Make your own study plan according to your strengths and weaknesses. Try to make extra time for the topics or sections that you feel you are not good at. 
• It can be anything, like if you are weak in vocabulary or grammar, then you will have to devote extra time to that particular topic.

4. Do not Jump to a Conclusion

• Some questions will have similar options, so it is natural for you to get confused. Reading the first option may feel like the right answer, and hence, you might select that. 
• But you need to carefully read all the options, even if you consider the first option is correct, because the last option may seem more appropriate. 
• So, do not jump directly to the conclusion after reading the first few options; read all the options carefully. 

5. Use the Process of Elimination

• Sometimes you don’t know what the answer is, but you certainly know what can’t be the answer to the given question.
•  Eliminate the options that you think cannot be the answer to the question, and if there is more than 1 option left after elimination, you can take a guess.
• Also, in listening sections, if you haven’t heard the whole clip properly, but have an idea of a part of the clip and some of the options are opposite to that, then you can definitely eliminate them and then guess the answer in the options left.

6. Answer all the Questions

• Unlike most competitive exams, there are no penalties in the TOEFL exam for wrong answers.
• So even if you are not sure about the answer to a particular question, you should write the answer, as it won’t cost you any negative points. 
• The guess sometimes can come true, even if it doesn't, then you also don’t have much to lose. 

7. Plan your Time Wisely

• This tip is exclusively for the reading section, as people tend to run out of time while attending the reading section.
• In this section, you will have 60-80 minutes for 3 to 4 passages. You will have 12 to 14 questions for each passage, so you will have to spend approximately 20 minutes per passage. 
• So, practice reading passages before you go for the exam, and also do not read the question first and then go into the passage to find the answer, as it will eat away a lot of your time.
• Instead, first, read the whole passage and try to understand it, then answer the questions.

8. Skip Difficult Questions

• Do not totally believe the subheading that we have given above, as we don’t mean to ask you to skip the difficult questions completely. 
• We advise you to skip difficult questions at the start, as it might take a lot of your time. 
• So skip them at the start and answer them once you are done with all the other questions. 
• At last, when you have solved the questions that you know, you can just guess the others, which won’t take much time.

9. Avoid Long Pauses

• In the speaking section, do not take long pauses, as you will have only approximately 45 to 50 seconds to speak.
• By avoiding long pauses, we don’t intend to say to avoid pauses at all. We are saying to avoid long pauses, but you should definitely take little pauses at the end of sentences or when you feel like breathing. 
• Totally avoiding pauses might make your speech unnatural.

10. Start Writing a Journal

• A journal is a diary that helps you keep track of your daily activities.
• Journal writing in English will help you enhance your writing skills and also your fluency in English. 
• Do not forget to regularly update your journal, as this small habit will help you immensely in your TOEFL preparation.

11. Get Enough Sleep:

• Before the day of your examination, have a very sound sleep, as you will need to stay calm during your examination. 
• A calm and clear mind will help you in clearing your exam. 
• Even while you are preparing for your exam, give your sleep as much importance as you will give to your studies.

TOEFL Preparation Strategies

Getting ready for the TOEFL test is more about planning and practising regularly than just memorising a lot of information. To start with, build familiarity with the test format through official TOEFL iBT practice tests.

Here are a few effective strategies:

Focus on one skill at a time: Dedicate separate days to work on reading comprehension, listening accuracy, speaking fluency or writing coherence.

Make reading a daily habit: Read academic articles, editorials or essays to strengthen vocabulary and grasp sentence structure.

Record your speaking responses: Listening back helps you pick up patterns, correct pronunciation, and build confidence.

Take full-length mock tests: Simulate test day conditions once every 10 days to measure progress.

TOEFL Reading Strategies

• Master the art of skimming: Scan the passage to understand the structure and main theme.

• Use keyword location method: Locate answers using keywords like names, dates, and ideas.

• Time Management Tip: Avoid reading every sentence.

TOEFL Listening Strategies

• Smart note-taking: Use symbols, arrows, and abbreviations to highlight key ideas instead of writing full sentences.

• Predict answer types: Before the audio begins, quickly scan the questions to predict the kind of information needed.

• Identify patterns in audio: Academic audio often uses structures like cause, theory, and problem. Knowing this helps you locate answers faster.

TOEFL Speaking Strategies

• Use clear and simple templates: Begin with an introduction, provide supporting details, and conclude with a summary.

• Focus on clarity over speed: Speak clearly and confidently. Proper pronunciation is more important than using complex words.

• Practice with a timer: TOEFL Speaking responses are brief. Make sure to keep your answers within the allotted time.

TOEFL Writing Strategies

• Integrated Writing Tips: Summarise how the lecture either challenges or supports the reading. Avoid personal opinions in this task.

• Independent essay structure: Use a simple 4-paragraph format:

1. 1. Introduction

   2. Body paragraph 1

   3. Body paragraph 2

   4. Conclusion

Give examples, maintain flow, and keep grammar clean.

TOEFL Self-Study Plan

Studying for the TOEFL by yourself is 100% possible with the appropriate guide. This independent study guide offers you a transparent path to advance, regardless of whether you are new to the exam or an experienced test taker.

1. Know the Test Format First

• Start by getting to know the format of all four parts: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. 

• Be familiar with the types of questions and timing so you are not caught off guard on exam day.

2. Establish a daily study schedule (1.5–2 hours)

Regular schedules work better than study marathons. Your daily schedule could include:

• 30 mins Reading: Do 1 passage + learn question patterns

• 30 mins Listening: Academic lectures, practice note-taking

• 20 mins Speaking: Do templates record responses

• 30 mins Writing: Do Integrated and Independent tasks on alternate days

• 10 mins Vocabulary: memorise 10-15 words

3. Monitor Progress with Weekly Mock Tests

• Take one full-length mock test every week. This will allow you to track your progress, develop stamina for the exam, and pinpoint your weaknesses. 

• Analyse your errors after each test—that’s where the real gains are.

4. Limit Your Attention to High-Leverage Techniques

There are certain strategies which will produce faster results:

• Skim reading the passages and finding answers with keywords.

• Make brief, organised listening notes.

• Use speaking templates to be clearer and consistent.

• Follow a simple 4-paragraph writing format structure.

These tips are going to help you get a higher score with less anxiety.

5. Review Your Mistakes and Refine Your Strategy 

Every few days, review your errors in Reading/Listening and redraft your Speaking/Writing answers. Look for patterns in your weaknesses, and adjust your approach accordingly.

Best TOEFL Study Materials

Selecting the appropriate study materials is crucial when preparing for the TOEFL effectively. Here's a clean, safe list:

Official ETS Materials:

Always begin with official TOEFL resources, as they copy the actual exam's level of difficulty.

• Official TOEFL iBT Guide

• Official TOEFL Practice Tests

• TOEFL TestReady platform

• Free sample questions on the ETS website

Top TOEFL Preparation Books:

• Barron’s TOEFL iBT

• Cambridge TOEFL Preparation Book

• Kaplan TOEFL iBT Premier

• Princeton Review TOEFL Guide

Best Online Resources:

• Magoosh TOEFL course

• Kaplan TOEFL online program

• TED-Ed& Khan Academy lectures(listening)

• Quizlet/Memrise for vocabulary

How to Set Your Target TOEFL Score

Consult the university requirements:

List the universities you would like to apply to and find out their minimum TOEFL score requirements. Most universities require an overall score, and some have minimum requirements for individual sections.

Have a Realistic Target:

Add a buffer of 5 to 10 points above the university requirement. This provides a margin of safety and reduces pressure on exam day.

Conclusion

With the right preparation, smart strategies, and consistent practice, scoring well on the TOEFL becomes much easier. Stay focused, manage your time wisely, and keep practising each section. With dedication, you can achieve the score you need and move closer to your study-abroad goals.