The Role of Mock Tests in TOEFL Exam Preparation

The Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) is one of the best ways in assessing your English language skills and is the most reputed exam accepted by major universities across the globe. Today, let's check out the reasons to use or attempt the free TOEFL mock test or the available TOEFL mock test online to evaluate yourself in terms of language accuracy and the points that need to be worked on.

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The Role of Mock Tests in TOEFL Exam Preparation

1. Evaluate your current scores/level:

To gain excellence, we first need to initiate a task. This very saying calls for an immediate action and while preparing for the TOEFL exam, you are required to know:

• The weaknesses that are there in your language, you will be able to recognise them well only if you have the experience of what and how is asked in the TOEFL exam.

• Not just the weakness, attempting the free TOEFL mock test will also help you analyze the current level of scores you are at and how much more is required to gain excellence or even the confidence to give the TOEFL exam.

2. Familiarize yourself with the TOEFL test pattern:

• The TOEFL mock test plays a vital role in analyzing the exact exam pattern and the types of questions. It is important for each aspirant to know the kind of questions that will be asked in each module of the test.

• For example, it might sound that TOEFL speaking is an easy exam as you just have to speak on the given topic, expressing your thoughts and opinions. Just imagine, getting a topic you have never heard before? Or writing an essay on the same?

Juggling on the main exam will only lead to a big monetary loss as you will not be able to clear the exam with a good score and hence will be required to give the next attempt.

3. Real Time experience:

• The TOEFL mock test gives you an experience of the real exam feeling, the anxiety or the confidence that is required.

• It helps you understand various factors like time management for each module of the TOEFL exam,

• The kind of questions which confused you, Questions which took a lot of time, also the questions wherein you had to struggle to answer.

4. Exposure to various topics:

• The TOEFL exam expects you to have wide knowledge on various topics, from most common topics of population or pollution to a topic like genetic food modification. You might not need to exhaust yourself with each one but a little exposure to many topics will certainly benefit you. The way the topics are used in different modules is also challenging, so hands-on experience in dealing with different topics in the TOEFL will help you overcome the vocabulary challenge.

• The listening section mock test will help you understand different accents of native English speakers and you will be in a better state of getting good scores.

• This will also help in improving your pronunciation, and help you overcome the heavy mother tongue influence.

5. Finding right strategies to score high

After you understand the weak areas, the improvements required in attempting the TOEFL exam, now is the time you start finding the right ways of scoring high. As you attempt the TOEFL mock test, you will be able to prepare strategies for different question types:

• Listening to authenticated documentaries to gain ideas on a topic, understand the usage of the difficult words, accents and pronunciation of words

• Reading authenticated material to understand the way text is modified using synonyms.

• Practice various ways to gain confidence in speaking, mirror practice could be one of them.

• Note- making as this is required for both, listening and speaking module

• Practicing grammar concepts to gain expertise in writing different type of essays

6. Practice of various skills required to get high scores:

Even if you feel you are at an excellent level of English language, there could be some obstacles. The most basic skills that are required and you analyze its need only after giving the TOEFL mock test are:

• Using computer to give the exam

• Handling technology – listening and speaking the answer, your typing speed for the writing section.

• Using the listening pods and simultaneously making notes to collect the correct information.

7. Overcoming the weakness:

Now, that you know the various challenges that you are required to surpass before reaching a high score in TOEFL exam, you will be able to:

• Set an estimate time to practice each module

• Focus on each error, specially the ones that are getting repeated.

• Time yourself to complete the task in the set time limit.

8. Reduction of exam anxiety:

As you estimate the required time to prepare, your weak areas to improve, the kind of questions that are asked; you will be able to gain confidence to give the exam.

9. Customized study plan:

Only after attempting the free TOEFL mock test, you will be able to personally decide which:

• Module should be stressed first

• Manage time creating a work life balance

• Keeping yourself physically and mentally healthy so that you can prepare well and score high

TOEFL practice eBooks

The given below TOEFL preparation books offer answer keys and explanations for practice questions, allowing learners to self-assess their performance and identify areas needing improvement.