Time bound preparation for TOEFL-iBT

TOEFL-IBT TIME BOUND PREPARATION


TOEFL-iBT tests the candidates on their Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing Skills of the English Language. There are four separate Modules for testing each of these skills. Again, in the Speaking and Writing Modules there are Integrated Tasks that collectively assess the test taker’s Reading, Listening and Speaking/ Writing skills.

TOEFL-iBT is a time-bound test where each Module / Section and in some sections each question, has a fixed time limit. For instance, in the Speaking Module, when the time (sometimes in seconds) elapses for a question, the screen automatically moves on to the next question. The student should be well aware of this aspect and should keep an eye on the Timer.

Preparation for such a time-bound test entails that even without looking at the timer, the student gets to know that the time is about to elapse. In the Speaking Module, for example, the student gets 15 sec. or 30 sec. to prepare the response. S/He needs to manage the time between finding content for the answer, organizing it and checking for Vocabulary, Grammar and Rhythm. If s/he has to keep track of the time as well, things would definitely go out of control. Therefore, it is highly recommended to practise these questions so well, that without even looking at the stop-watch, the student gets an idea about the time.

The question that springs up here is how do we find and plan the response in this restricted time span. The first step is to leave the mind open, no boundaries of experience, judgement or prejudice. Remember, TOEFL-iBT tests the student’s English language abilities and not the Emotional Quotient. In a way, there’s hardly any need to get attached to what s/he actually think of a particular topic or context in a question. The student should concentrate on Brainstorming points as much as s/he can in the time assigned for the task. In summary, the student should avoid being rigid when it comes to planning and preparing the response.

Next, the student should brief up his notes-making. No full-forms, no sentences, just words and phrases to mark the notes. Again, the notes should be legible and organized, so that the student is able to give the response from the notes and not lose points because of the unorganized scribbled notes.

There are innumerable factors to be kept in mind while preparing for a time-bound test, but the matters ease out when the candidate is good at Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing English.

All the best!