Tips to prepare for TOEFL Reading

1. Tips to Prepare for TOEFL Reading The TOEFL Reading test is an advanced examination set to assess your knowledge and comprehension of technical academic verbiage. Factually, the vocabulary exhibited seeks to interrogate your ability to fathom complex academic English texts littered with exceptional words. If you were able to read and understand the first two sentences without pausing: you are doing fine on your reading, but there is more to learn. We have compiled a few tips to help you prepare for the TOEFL Reading exam :- • Structure of the exam :- Before we dive into the tips, you must know the structure of the exam. The TOEFL iBT test consists of 3-5 texts which have around 700 words. Each text is followed by a set of questions ranging between 12 to 15 questions. Questions are timed, with a countdown clock showing on your screen. The first 20 minutes are allocated for the first text and its questions. The remaining 2 texts are allocated 40 minutes. The following reading tips will help you as you practice for the TOEFL Reading section test. • Reading Speed and Time :- You have to practice timed reading. Remember, this is a timed examination with each section allocated a different time. As noted in the structure section above, you must practice your time management. You do not want to use more than 20 minutes on the first text as this will affect the minutes of the remaining 2 texts. The more you read varied excerpts in timed settings, the more you improve. Everyone reads at different speeds, so work to improve yours without compromising Comprehension and Skimming :- The importance of comprehending a text can never be overemphasized. However, in examination conditions, skimming can be a vital skill. Skimming is when you read and understand a text quickly by extracting the key points at a scan. It is a skill which needs a lot of practice but essential for this examination. Make sure you understand the important details of the text because you might find yourself having to refer back to the text when answering questions. Vocabulary Checks :- Whereas during the examination you will not have a dictionary, it is important to check meanings of new words you note when you are practicing for the TOEFL test. Cross-checking the meaning of new words and keeping a vocabulary notebook are good ways to learning synonyms and antonyms of different words. This will broaden your vocabulary knowledge. Contextualize New Words :- During timed practices, if you find words you are not familiar with, do not take much time trying to figure it out. Most times its meaning is hidden within the very sentence or paragraph it is contained. This means you will have to quickly guess on the meanings of those words from the context of the excerpt. Take note of them and cross-check their actual meanings after contextualizing them in the passage. Note: you are also being examined on how you deduce meaning from words you are not familiar with. Read, Read, Read…Finally, reading is a skill refined only by reading more. You must make it a habit to be reading any English based literature apart from the practice tests. both your understanding. • • • •