TOEFL Syllabus

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TOEFL Syllabus

TOEFL is one of the choicest English language exams taken by candidates planning to pursue higher education from universities abroad. The score obtained in this exam is widely accepted by universities of all anglophone countries to give admissions. Even though exams like PTE and IELTS also follow the same line but TOEFL is a favourite choice. In this blog, we are going to highlight the TOEFL syllabus and some preparation tips to ace the exam. 

TOEFL 2021 Exam Pattern 

Before understanding the TOEFL syllabus, one must be familiar with the TOEFL exam pattern. Here is the breakdown of the sections tested in the exam:

Section Score Range Time Duration
(Minutes)
Reading0 to 3054-72
Listening 0 to 3041-57
Break 
Speaking 0 to 3017
Writing0 to 3050

TOEFL 2021 Syllabus 

Understanding the TOEFL syllabus is one of the key elements in the exam preparation. Even though the syllabus is not specifically defined, candidates can go through the following topics to enhance their knowledge and skills and perform better in the final showdown. Given below is a detailed break-down of topics that constitute an important part of the exam: 

Reading Section

Reading Comprehension is an integral part of the TOEFL syllabus. This section consists of 30-40 questions which are based on 3-4 passages (10 questions each). The reading section needs to be completed in 54- 72 minutes. To ace in the section, candidates must practice questions from books or online material and should also take mock tests regularly. This not only increases your speed and accuracy but also gives you the real exam feel. While taking the next turn, try to decrease the required time for solving questions and you will master this part. 

Listening Section

The second important element of the TOEFL syllabus is the listening section. It comprises of 28-39 questions which have to be completed within 60 minutes. As English is a language of accent, the questions are based on audio clips of lectures, classrooms, and discussions. To master the section, listen to audio clips of people with different accents so that you get things sorted for the main examination. 

Speaking Section

This section of the TOEFL exam consists of 4 to 6 tasks where students have to speak on given topics in a microphone. Since the questions asked in this section are based on the listening and reading tasks, you should practice listening and summarising the topics from multiple audio clips to increase your speed. 

Writing Section

One of the most important and tricky components of the TOEFL syllabus is the writing section. You will be required to write 2 essays within 50 minutes. To get a hold of this section, practice working on new and random topics. Make sure you time yourself while doing so. 

TOEFL 2021 Preparation Tips 

“How do I start preparing for Toefl?” is a question that haunts many. Since the TOEFL syllabus is not comprehensively defined, you can follow the  following tips to excel in the examinations: 

  1. Familiarise yourself with the exam pattern.
  2. Use high-quality study material to cover the TOEFL syllabus. 
  3. Practice by giving mock tests. 
  4. Improve your vocabulary. 
  5. Make a timetable and follow it strictly. 
  6. Take ample time to prepare, do not try to rush. 
  7. Set a goal score and prepare a plan accordingly. 
  8. Try to answer all the questions. 
  9. Stay calm while solving the paper. 
  10.  If you couldn’t achieve the required score then consider giving the exam again. 

Best Books To Cover TOEFL Syllabus

When you are preparing for a major exam like TOEFL, it is extremely important to practice from the right book. While selecting a book, check the index to know if the content covers the key elements of the TOEFL syllabus. Here are some of the choicest books you can use to prepare for the exam:

  • The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test, by Educational Testing Service
  • Cracking the TOEFL IBT
  • Longman Preparation Course for the TOEFL Test, Deborah Phillips
  • Essential Words for the TOEFL
  • The Complete Guide to the TOEFL Test, Bruce Rogers
  • Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test, Jolene Gear and Robert Gear
  • Test Prep Book’s TOEFL iBT Preparation Book: Test Prep for Reading, Listening, Speaking, & Writing, by Test Prep Books
  • 400 Must-Have Words for the TOEFL, Lawrence J Zwier
  • Delta’s Key to the Next Generation TOEFL Test: Six Practice Tests for the IBT, by Nancy Gallagher
  • Peterson’s Master TOEFL Reading Skills

FAQs

What is a good score on the Toefl?

Generally, 90-100 is a good score when it comes to taking admissions in some of the top universities.

Is there any age limit for the TOEFL exam?

There are no strict age restrictions when it comes to TOEFL exams.

How do I start preparing for TOEFL?

Here is the best way to prepare for TOEFL:
Set a score goal.
Know the syllabus and exam pattern.
Cover the entire syllabus, with the help of online learning platforms as they would help you in saving time.
Solve previous year question paper and sample papers. Time yourself while solving the papers. This would increase your paper solving speed.
Take regular mock tests.

Is TOEFL hard?

No, if you practice and prepare well for TOEFL then you can easily get a high score. It is not a difficult exam. Take guidance from assured sources so that you can ace the examination.

Is TOEFL easier than IELTS?

Both TOEFL and IELTS evaluate a student’s knowledge on a similar scale. But, IELTS is considered must earlier and advanced in comparison to TOEFL.

Hopefully, you are now familiar with the details pertaining to the TOEFL syllabus. If you are planning to give English proficiency tests then the experts at Leverage Edu can guide you throughout the process and help you master every section.

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