If you are reading this review I assume you know what TOEFL is about etc, so let me get started with how to prepare for the test...
The exam is divided in to four categories :
1) Listening
2) Structure
3) Reading
4) Writing
Listening
In my opinion, this is the most important part of the test..Altough, all the other sections matter, i believe this section is where you make it or break it.
This section has three parts
1) In Part A you will hear a short scentence and you will be asked a question based on that
2) In Part B you will hear a short conversation and will be asked a question by a third person
3)You will hear a pretty long conversation and will be asked 4 to 5 question in it..
So, obviously you will be needing good listening skills. Get to know the american accent. As mentioned by [tasveer] Watch lot of english movies and english programs ( This point I stress a lot and you can always watch TV and say to mom you are preparing for TOEFL hehe.. So back to the point, watching these english programms help you to get familiar with the american accent and perform well in the exam..By the way don’t watch BBC (british accent), watch CNN (American accent).
And, the golden rule, Pratice practice and more practice..
I have taken Paper based version of the test and now its CB version, but I think still the Listening section comes first..So, if you do well you will be happy and confident. But if otherwise, people start to screw things up.. You think about the listening part for the whole exam and mess up the other parts too.. But remember..Next comes Structure and Reading where you can make wonders..
Structure and Reading..
Well, as I said these two are the scoring part.. Read a lot of everything that can be read.. And practice & practice & practice..But, don’t take this two for granted..You better score above 90% in both of them..
Writing
Hmm, well, you know , I didn’t have this section when I took the exam, and not that of a good writer..So if you have any tips let me know lol...
In the end, TOEFL is a very simple exam. Don’t be anxious, tense etc. Before you start taking the exam, sit down for five minutes, and stop thinking about everything else. And by the way, be confident and you will do it.
And, Best of Luck from me..
If I can do it, you can do it too..
Sridhar