11. Strengthen academic English
Since TOEFL tests the ability to succeed in an American college of university, focus on studying the academic language you hear on a college campus and in a university classroom. Study English books, journals, research articles, or academic magazines. Learn the academic language by listening to podcasts or videos of English-speaking professors online. In case you someone who attends an English university, attend a class with that friend if/when possible and get to know his college friends.
12. Improve typing speed and accuracy
Since the internet-based exam is on the computer, you need to type and fill in your answers as well as type the essays. If you do not know touch-typing and only watch the keyboard, you will lose time looking at the keyboard and not looking at the screen to see if you typed accurately. You must master typing by the time you take the exam. Use different computers with a QWERTY keyboard. Be sure that you are confident typing without looking at the keyboard. If you type slowly, go online to practice typing for speed and accuracy online. If you type fast, try practice tests on other computers, not your own. You want to be comfortable on any computer. Avoid getting nervous on a different computer the day of the exam by practicing in advance with a different mouse.
13. Answer the question
On the exam day, do not leave any question unanswered. If you are unsure or running out of time, eliminate all of the answers you know are wrong. Then, make an educated guess. Statistically, you have about a ¼ chance to get the answer correct. Once you complete one section, put it out of your mind. If you do not feel you did well, still put it out of your mind and forget about it. In order to perform the best, you must focus on the task at hand. Think only about the section you are on and do not get distracted.
14. Learn how to take better notes
You can take notes in each section. Note taking is one of the most important academic skills in university. Any college course requires you to take notes. While you are practicing, take notes on the main idea, key points, and details. Take notes on reading passages and on lectures. You can practice taking notes anytime during the day. Do note-taking while you listen to news on your smartphone, while you read magazine articles online, and while you watch television or internet videos in English. Use abbreviations for words and phrases when you take notes.
15. Improve all academic skills
If you have a deadline, you may feel under pressure to take the exam before you are ready. That is a mistake. Do not take the exam before you are well-prepared. Maybe you have three skills that are strong and one that is weak. You must strengthen all the skills so they are the highest level before testing. When you get a lower score on just one section of the test, you will have to take the test all over again. Be sure you are prepared for all sections by improving all your academic skills prior to registering for the exam.