A lot of students register first when they decide to take the TOEFL exam. What they usually do is look for exam dates and move straight to TOEFL registration. It seems logical to book the TOEFL test first and prepare later. But in reality, you should always take a TOEFL mock test first to understand your English proficiency levels nd determine what prep time you would probably take to achieve your targeted score. Read the blog to understand how taking a TOEFL mock test is crucial before registering for the exam.
Why is a TOEFL Mock Test is Important Before Registration?
Now, let us discuss some of the main reasons why you should prefer to take the full mock test for the TOEFL exam beforehand, rather than going straight away for the registration by choosing the exam date.
A TOEFL Mock: Give Your Current Proficiency Level
We often think that we have a certain level of proficiency in English; perhaps you have attended English-speaking educational institutions or have a job in an English-speaking environment. However, you might be good with your English skills, but the TOEFL is a test with a very particular format.
When you take a TOEFL mock, you get a real idea of where you currently stand in terms of scoring. Perhaps you find that you need to allocate more time for reading than you initially thought, or maybe listening is not the problem, but speaking needs more time. It’s a great tool to get a feel for how well-prepared you are, even before registering for the test.
It Helps You to Understand the Exam.
It helps you get a better feel for what to expect on the real TOEFL test date. The TOEFL test includes a certain pattern that must be understood and familiarised with for better preparation. It includes academic passages, lectures, speaking, and writing sections under time limitations. It may not be very familiar to those who have not taken it before.
That’s where a TOEFL mock comes in. It allows you to get a feel of it before the actual test day arrives. By the time you sit down to take it for real, everything will feel very familiar, and that can help alleviate some of that pressure and anxiety.
It Helps You to Identify Weak Sections
Another advantage of taking a TOEFL mock test is that it helps you identify your weak areas right from the start of the preparation. Some students tend to hurry through the reading comprehension, while others feel good about themselves right up until the speaking section, only to realise that answering within 45 seconds is not as simple as it seems.
The mock test helps identify these problem areas, and afterwards, you can study for the test much more effectively. So, understanding your weak areas before registration helps to have an estimated time required to improve with a daily schedule.
It Helps You Manage Time Better in the Exam
Another problem that students tend to face while appearing for the TOEFL exam is time management. While some students might know everything, they tend to lose out on some questions due to a lack of time.
The reading comprehension questions tend to have lengthy reading passages, while the speaking section only gives you 45 seconds to answer, and the writing section requires you to have a good structure within a short time frame.
The only way to get used to this is by attempting some TOEFL mock tests. After attempting a few, you realise that you have become accustomed to the time management required for the actual test, and it makes it much easier for you.
It Builds Confidence Before the Real Exam
After attempting various mock tests beforehand, students don’t feel anxious or nervous while appearing for the TOEFL on the test day. By giving out the mock test, you are already aware of what it is like, and you know what is coming. You know the structure, the time, the length of time each section takes, and so on.
This gives you a sense of calm, and it is well known that a sense of calm and self-confidence can only improve your performance in the actual test.
It Helps You Plan the Right Preparation Strategy
After having gone through a mock test for the TOEFL exam, you can begin to structure your study plan more clearly. Perhaps it is your speaking that you need to improve, or maybe it is your writing, or maybe it is your reading that is slowing you down.
So, attempting mock tests way before registering for the TOEFL exam helps you in different ways, such as identifying your weak areas, creating a study plan, understanding the exam format, building confidence and many more. If you need help with the TOEFL mock tests or the study abroad process, you can take help from platforms such as Leverage Education.
FAQs
Why should I take a TOEFL mock test before TOEFL registration?
A mock test helps you understand your current score on the TOEFL exam and gets you familiar with the test format. Taking a mock test helps you determine whether you are ready to take the test or need more preparation time.
How many TOEFL mock tests should I take before the exam?
Generally, taking two or three mocks is enough to help you understand your level, improve your test-taking speed, and gain confidence. However, make sure you practise more if required according to your individual understanding and proficiency level.
Can a TOEFL mock test improve my final score?
Taking a mock test before the actual exam does help in improving the scores, as it helps you get used to the actual test environment, and you can improve your test-taking speed.
