Saturday, June 26, 2010

Survive in TOEFL Exam

The TOEFL exam is feared by many peoples, as they are not sure what they will meet, or how to practice for it. It doesn't mean the exam is hard at all. But successfully passing the exam is often necessary in order to be accepted at English spoken universities around the world. Students who want to prepare for the exam is to not be afraid of it. To prepare you for what you will meet.
The first part that should be said is that there are two common versions of the exam. You do the exam by internet, or by a paper based version. Of course many prefer the paper based version as there are no oral parts of it. I think most students have some natural fear of speaking in interviews and having presentations or exams by speaking. But it's really not that difficult; they are not there to destroy you or anything; they will do everything to help you feel relaxed and just talk general topics with you. It's not much more difficult than being at a work interview; and they aren't difficult at all either. The most important part of oral interviews are to remain calm and not making your sentences to complex; of course, you shouldn't make your sentences or answers to simple either, as it can be shown as a lack of English skills. But if you make the sentences to complicated you will also stop thinking, hesitating to answer which is not good either. The best is to find a balance between showing simple skills, mixed with some difficulties or real skills.

There are also some differences between the written parts of the TOEFL exam whether you have it as internet based or paper based. The internet based version focus a bit more on grammar; and less on writing an actual essay. Again; you have to weight whether you prefer writing essays; or if you prefer grammar exercises. But keep in mind; sometimes there might be an essay part of the internet exam too. There is no guarantee you will get it replaced by grammar exercises.

I think the ultimate decisions is based on what kind exams the university you are applying for accept, and what kind of exam is easiest for you to attend. I have recently started a blog at BlogSpot How to Survive the TOEFL exam. I hope this gave you some ideas of what you might expect from the TOELF, and how to practice for it.

Friday, June 18, 2010

FAQ about TOEFL iBT

TOEFL® iBT is a better assessment of your English communications skills because it focuses on how well you use English to communicate,not just what you know about it.
The test consists of four sections: Reading,Listening,Speaking and Writing. All four sections are taken on the same day, and entire test is about four hour long.
What is most unique about the test is that is asks you to combine, or integrate, more than one language skill like you do every day. For example,sometimes you read a passage, listen to a short lecture about a topic, and then speak or write in response.To ensure maximum objectivity and reliability , three to six raters score your Speaking responses, and a minimum of four raters score your Writing responses. All raters monitoring every time they score, ensuring the possible highest quality control. 

The chart above shows the range of questions and the timing for each section. Time limits vary according to the number of questions.

toefl score table reading

Top Twenty essay Mistakes

 The Most Common mistakes  make by TOEFL Students. Each mistakes is linked to examples and the 'correct way' to write the offending passage. To help you better understand the conventions of academic and professional writing, we have identified the twenty error patterns most common among U.S. college students
and  list them here.






1. Vague pronoun reference
2. Missing comma in a compound sentences.
3. Wrong word
4.  Missing comma after introductory element
5. Wrong verb ending
6. Missing comma(s) with a nonrestrictive element
7. Wrong or missing preposition
8. Comma splice
9. Missing or misplaced possessive apostrophe
10. Unnecessary shift in tense
11. Unnecessary shift in pronoun
12. Sentence fragment
13. Wrong tense or verb form
14. Lack of subject-verb agreement
15. Missing comma in a series
16. Lack of agreement between pronoun and antecedent
17. Unnecessary comma(s) with a restrictive element
18. Fused sentence
19. Misplaced or dangling modifier
20. Its/It's confusion

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

TOEFL score and U. Chicago BBQ

A good TOEFL exam Score is as:

 Reading: 27
 Listening: 27
Speaking: 23
Writing: 25


As going to some ask for rescoring on Speaking and Writing sections,I think it is better then that(at least on writing).In fact, most of the schools ask for a minimum of 104 or 105 in TOEFL, so it seems worht trying.
I'm going to ask for rescoring on Speaking and Writing sections, as I sincerely think I did better than that (at least on the writing one). In fact, most of the schools ask for a minimum of 104 or 105 in TOEFL, so it seems worth trying.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

TOEFL Speaking Part 2

I prefer to take multiple choice exam.There are two reasons for this. Firstly, it is easier to find the correct answer, because you have three or four options and correct answer is one them. Secondly, you don't  need to spend much time in order to justify your response. For these two reasons, I find the multiple choice exams more manageable.


it's better to study alone for many reasons, First, when you study alone you can concentrate better on your work because there isn't anyone to disturb you.Moreover, you can have a break whenever you want, without
having to follow the others programme. Therefore, you can function independently. For these two reasons. I believe that it's more effectively to study alone than to study with other.

Monday, June 14, 2010

TOEFL Speaking Part 1

if  I could have any job in the world, I would love to be guide for tourists. There are many reasons that I would choose this job.
1. First of all,I would often travel! I like very much to go in places that I have never been there before.
 Moreover, I would speak 5 or 6 languages fluently! This would significantly expand my horizons.
For these two reasons and even more I would want to choose this job.

2. At what age should a person be allowed to drive? Use reasons to support your response.
In my opinion, a person should be allowed to drive at the age of 25. There are two reasons that I believe that.
Firstly, it should be based on the skill of the person. A person at the age of 25 has the physical ability to co-ordinate his brain with his body.
Furthermore, an individual at the age of 25 has reached an age of maturity to drive affectively.
However, everybody is different at any age… For example, there are some people that I don’t think should ever drive!


3. What is the best excuse to give your teacher when you have not done the homework? Use reasons to support your reasons.
If I haven’t done my homework I think of some excuses! Some examples follow bellow.
Firstly, the phrase: “Oh, no! I forgot it!” is a common excuse as we have a lot of things to do everyday.
Secondly, the phrase: “Did we have homework?!... I didn’t note it down!” is a human excuse because sometimes people are absent-minded.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

TOEFL Preparation

TOEFL IBT is really simple. It may look as a tough one but it is not.

Reading:
 The most important thing in reading is connection. if you are able to concentrate and red the passage once that will do. don't spend more time to read. The passage are a bit lengthy.. on a average i spend 6 minutes to read the passage. even of i dont understand i just start answering the questions. dont spend more time on a particular question. one adv in this ibt is that u can review ur answers if u finish the section a bit early.. just make a note of questions on which u r not sure of the answers so that u could have a look at them once u complete early..In my exam the reading section splitted into 3 parts...1st part - 1 passage (20 min)2nd part - 2 passages (40 min)3rd part - 2 passages (40 min)i found it hard to concentrate on the last passage.. but i scored pretty good in this section by God's grace..Tip: The ETS server is a bit slow.. so once u go bac to the previous question the timer stops and the page takes some 5 to 6 seconds to load and the timer to start again... so i used those seconds for my advantage...

Speaking:
Speaking is really simple if you just practice the 35 sample questions. I got the question from the sample question.Writing:It is one of the most simple section. I just practiced 1 set before my test. My preparation during GMAT really helped me @ this time.

Listening:
The most important thing is taking notes. The listening section in Longman is a bit slow.. i would say kaplan's questions had the speed similar to that of ETS. i don't think this section should trouble anyone if he/she has taken good notes.Speaking:This is easier than what people expects it to be. I m not a good speaker of English also my vocabulary is not that great.. I just used to practice the topics given above . After that I used to simulate the test scenario by giving 15 sec initially to think of a reason and then start recording my talk using Sound Recorder for exactly 45 to 60 sec depending the question. After answering I used to play the answers a number of times and then analysis whether i made any mistakes. Make sure that u don't talk too fast or too slow.. Just talk at the normal rate. There is no harm if u complete your response in 40 sec for a 45 sec question but if u complete in 30 sec then u would be penalized. For the Second Question there is nothing like correct or wrong answer.. for eg if u are given a question like whats ur fav subject - English or maths? u wont be given any additional marks if u select English or u wont be getting less marks if u select maths.. scoring depends on the valid reasons u give for the answer... just practice.. thats the key..for the questions 3-6 make sure tht u take proper notes of the listening passage.Warning: Don't listen to the sample answers for the integrated topics from Longman. They don't answer the question properly and also they are not correct according to my view. Kaplan's answers helped me to prepare well. also listen to ETS sample answers.. they will really help u to understand what all ETS expects.These are the topics I got.

1. Favorite Type of movie (drama or comedy)
2. University should encourage physical activities or not.
3. (don't remember)
4. Some marketing lecture
5. A woman wants her sister to come to CA during her holidays whereas she wanted to do some summer course in French Revolution.
6. (don't remember)Writing:If u had done your GRE or GMAT then this section is pretty simple.



The word count feature in the new S/W is really helpful. Make sure that you answer more number of words with valid reasons. Also don't deviate  from the question asked or from the topic.For my first question I answered around 275 words... ETS expects 175 - 225 i guess.. for my second question I answered around 500 words... ETS expects 300 words...These are the questions I got.1. Reading passage - video teaching is better than books.Listening passage - a professor arguing books are the best.Question passage - How does the teacher argue her point (somethin like that)2. Which one is better? working in small company or a big company.Make sure that u type fast or else practice a lot before taking the exam.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

TOEFL Registration

Online Registration

For the fastest and most convenient service, register online on EST Website.
1. A valid credit card is required (American Express,Master Card or Visa Card),or an electronic check (e-check)if any body have bank account in USA.
2. Registration is open 24 hour a day, 7 days a week.
3. Early registration closes seven days prior to the test date (not including the day of the test).
4. Late registration closes three days prior to the test date (not including the day of the test).
5.Registrations received after the early registration deadline incur a late fee of US$25.

Registration by Phone

1. A valid credit card is required (American Express Master card or Visa card), or an electronic check (e-check) if any body have bank account in USA.
2. Early registration closes seven days prior to the test date (not including the day of the test).
3. Late registration closes three days prior to the test date (not including the day of the test).
4. Registrations received after the early registration deadline incur a late fee of US$25.
Testing Location Phone
United States, Canada, or U.S. Territories 1-443-751-4862 or 1-800-GO-TOEFL (1-800-468-6335)
Outside the United States, Canada, or U.S. Territories To Call your Regional Registration Center see the ETS provided list of Regional Registration Centers (PDF)

By Mail

Fill in the form, get the draft made (if you are not paying by credit card), You must send the documents at least THREE WEEKS before your choice of a test day. For details on mail option visit ETS Website.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

how to pay for toefl test online

Outdo the TOEFL is a vital walk for specially non resident English spokesperson on their mode to learning in the USA and Canada.  A fine score can indicate entrance to a scholar program, or even pleasing an assistantship to help face the operating cost of graduate school. The company that offers TOEFL, the Educational Testing Service, suggest little support to those students who cannot pay for the fee of the exam. There are, yet, some approach to try and find funding. Read on to find out more.

1. pertain for the fee cutback service accessible by the Educational Testing Service. This is a one time voucher that incise the Price of the TOEFL about in half. It is on hand to non-native spokesman of English who are attending high school in the United States. Applications can be download from ETS's website, and have part that should be done by equally the student and her guidance counselor.




2. Check with independent cultural organizations to see if they offer vouchers. These groups offer aid to both those who live in the United States and those who are just looking to study there. Many such organizations representing different countries exist, and offer aid based on their own set of criteria. Usually, they offer a limited number to students who have the greatest need and/or have demonstrated high achievement.

3. Inquire at your own school about fee assistance. Many institutions offer some kind of aid to those who need help applying to universities.


4. Apply for a Fulbright scholarship. Should you be nominated, the Fulbright Commission will bear the costs of the exam.

TOEFL requirements usa



TOEFL is a measuring standard of English Speaking and Writing Skills of any person who are non-native in English. All of those persons demonstrate a good performance in TOEFL when they want to get admission in any universities or collages where English having a basic factor of communicating standard. it is a first step for you that how to plan yourself when you seeks to take TOEFL. And also you may have to know the necessary steps and requirements before you enter in TOEFL test.

TOEFL Test Planning.

Getting Steps

1.Listen to English-speaking radio programs often to become comfortable with the rhythms, sounds and speed of the spoken language. Make a point of listening to different types of voices. When possible, focus on English as it is spoken in North America.

2.Ask your English instructor if he or she feels you're ready to take the test.

3. understand every information specified on the TOEFL website. seeing as the website is written in English, you be able to find a sentiment for how well you put on and utilize information from the written language. The website clarifies where and when you can win the test, how to register and the fee of the test.


4.Practice with the sample test questions on the TOEFL website.

5. make your mind up whether you will be winning the paper-based test or the Internet-based test. The TOEFL website will offer you the information you want to make that judgment.

6.Take the Internet-based test if you choose, which is described in detail on the TOEFL website. Practice questions are provided there to give you a good idea of what the test is like.

7.Complete the paper-based test as an alternative, which will take about three and a half hours. Most of the questions are multiple choice. It includes a "Listening" section that focuses on English as spoken in North America, a "Structure and Written Language" section, which tests knowledge of standard English and a "Reading Comprehension" section. In addition, the test includes a test of your ability to write on an assigned topic.

8.Budget your time. As you work through each section, keep track of how many questions are left and how much time remains. When you just cannot decide on the correct answer to a question, move on to the next one. If there is extra time after you finish the section, you can return to any questions that you have not answered.