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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 8 steps for how to pass the toefl with a stellar score.

Knowing how to pass TOEFL test day is critical for international students who want to an attend English-speaking school. But what does "passing the TOEFL" really mean? Is there a certain TOEFL passing score everyone must get?

In truth, a TOEFL passing score is any score that's high enough to get you into the schools you wish to attend.  Therefore, the   score you need to pass the TOEFL will vary depending on where you're applying.

In this guide, we explain why you can’t technically pass (or fail) the TOEFL. We also give you tips on how to find your TOEFL passing score, how to increase your odds of passing the TOEFL, and what to do if you’re struggling to reach your passing score.

Topics: TOEFL

Yale, Brown, and Dartmouth End Test-Optional — Will Other Schools Follow?

SAT/ACT Score Target , College Admissions

In February 2024, Dartmouth and Yale — two Ivy League universities — announced that they were returning to their previous policies of requiring SAT or ACT test scores as part of their admissions processes.

Brown followed suit in March 2024 , announcing their decision to return to requiring standardized tests as well.  

For the past few years these schools have been “ test optional ,” meaning students could choose to send test scores, but they weren’t required for admission. This signals a major shift in the college admissions landscape as other U.S. universities weigh if they should follow suit. 

So how does this change impact students applying to Brown, Yale, or Dartmouth ? And does this signal a larger trend in the admissions landscape? 

Let’s find out. 

Topics: SAT/ACT Score Target , College Admissions

8 Top TOEFL Reading Practice Resources to Help You Study

In order to understand the passages you'll see in the TOEFL Reading section and accurately answer questions about them, you’ll likely need to do some studying before test day.  If you’re not sure how to study for TOEFL Reading, we’re here to help!

In this guide, we explain the format and types of questions you’ll see on TOEFL Reading then explain the materials you need to do well on this section. We then go over all the best TOEFL Reading practice materials available, including free and official resources. We end with final tips to keep in mind during your studying in order to feel prepared and confident on test day.

The Best TOEFL Writing Practice: 300+ Topics to Study With

Writing is the last section you’ll complete on the TOEFL. You’re so close to finishing, yet you still have two essays to write before you can celebrate completing the exam. In order to finish the test on a high note, you’ll need to be prepared for this section.

In this guide, we explain the ins and outs of the Writing section and the materials you need to do well. We then go over all the best TOEFL Writing practice resources available , including free and official practice Writing topics. We'll end with final tips to keep in mind in order to ace the TOEFL Writing section.

The 8 Best TOEFL Speaking Practice Tests

The Speaking section of the TOEFL is often seen as one of the most challenging parts of the exam. You can’t just circle an answer and hope for the best, and any mistakes you make can’t be crossed out — they’ll all be part of your recorded response.

This means that good practice is key to doing well on this section. In this guide, I’ll explain what preparation you need in order to do well on this tricky section, go over the best TOEFL Speaking practice materials out there , and give you tips on how to get the most out of your studying.

How to Ace the TOEFL Writing Section: 7 Expert Tips

Want to know all the information you need to write two great essays and ace the TOEFL Writing section?

This guide has all the tips you need to do well on TOEFL Writing. We’ll explain exactly what you can expect to see in this section, then give TOEFL Writing tips tips on how to answer both essay types, how you should study, and what you should do on test day to make sure you ace this section.

How to Ace TOEFL Reading: Tips, Strategies, and Practice

Nowhere else on the TOEFL will you be expected to read so much English and know such a wide variety of vocab words. And on top of that, you’ll have to answer dozens of questions on what you’ve read. No wonder many TOEFL students feel intimidated by the Reading section.

However, TOEFL Reading is actually one of the more straightforward sections of the exam, and knowing what to expect will make it a lot easier to ace this section on test day. Read this guide to learn exactly what types of questions you’ll see on this section and how to answer them. We also outline the best TOEFL Reading strategies to supercharge your prep and the TOEFL Reading tips that can help you get a top score on test day.

How to Ace the TOEFL Speaking Section: 6 Key Tips

The TOEFL Speaking section is a rapid-fire 20 minutes of reading, listening, jotting down notes, and (most of all) speaking. There’s a lot to do and keep track of during this section, and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Luckily, we’re here to help.

In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know to ace TOEFL Speaking.  First, we’ll break down the TOEFL speaking questions you'll see and give tips on how to answer each question type. Then we’ll go over the best way to prepare for this section and the TOEFL Speaking tips you should keep in mind on test day.

The Best TOEFL Practice Tests and Questions (Free and Online)

One of the best ways to prepare for the TOEFL is to take regular practice tests and quizzes. Taking TOEFL practice tests lets you estimate how well you’ll do on the real test, shows you the areas you need to focus your studies on, and helps you become more familiar and comfortable with the exam.

There are many practice TOEFL tests available, but not all of them are created equal. Taking a poorly written practice test can give you a false idea of what the real TOEFL will be like and cause you to study the wrong things.

The 5 Best TOEFL Books to Prepare for the Exam

Are you preparing for the TOEFL but aren’t sure the best way to study? Maybe you’ve heard that prep books can be helpful, but you don't know which one to get. A good TOEFL book can be your most useful resource for preparing for the exam, and this guide will help you choose the best TOEFL prep book for you .

In this post, I discuss five of the top TOEFL books, plus offer guidance on who each book is best for. I'll explain what you should look for when choosing a good prep book, and I'll share other resources you should use to study.

What Is the TOEFL Test? Why Do You Need It?

If you’re a non-native English speaker and you're thinking about studying in an English-speaking country, you may have heard about a test called the "TOEFL." But what is the TOEFL test, exactly, and what do you need to know about it?

If you've got questions about the TOEFL, then you've come to the right place! This guide will take you through what the TOEFL is, how it works, whether or not you’ll need to take it, and how to prepare for it.

So let's get started.

Ultimate TOEFL Vocabulary List: The 327 Best Words to Know

Developing solid TOEFL vocabulary skills can be one of the most challenging parts of studying for the exam, but it's also one of the most important. Many TOEFL questions either ask you the definition of a word outright or require you to have knowledge of certain words in order to answer a question correctly. With so many words in the English language, which are the ones you need to know?

We’ve done the hard work for you and determined the 327 most useful TOEFL words to know. They’re all listed below, along with a definition and sample sentence for each. We also end with tips on how to use this list most effectively in order to be prepared for vocabulary on the TOEFL.

What Is a Good TOEFL Score? A Bad One? An Excellent One?

What’s a good TOEFL score? Is it enough to just get above average or do top schools require more? If a school lists a minimum TOEFL requirement, can you meet that score and still get in, or should you aim even higher? And how do you find this information anyway?

This guide will explain everything you need to know about what a “good” TOEFL score is. First we’ll go over what great, good, and poor TOEFL scores are based on average exam results. Next, we’ll go over each step you need to take to figure out your personal “good” TOEFL score based on the schools you’re interested in, as well as where to find all this information. At the end of the guide we’ll also go over the next steps to take once you figure out what your personal TOEFL score goal.

Short on time? Watch this 4-minute video for key points. Read the entire guide to understand everything you need to know!

TOEFL Scoring: How Does It Work?

The TOEFL is a long and somewhat complicated test. It can be hard to determine the basic facts about the test, like how the TOEFL is scored, which is where we come in. The more you know about the exam before going in, the better prepared you’ll be to conquer it, so we'll explain everything you need to know about TOEFL scores.

In this guide, we’ll take you through how the TOEFL scoring system works, how each section is graded, and how (and when) you’ll receive and be able to send out your final scores.

TOEFL Score Range: What Does It Mean For You?

Have you taken the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and want to know what your scores mean? Or are you about to take the test and don’t know what a “good” or “bad” TOEFL score is?

No matter what your question about TOEFL scores is, you’ve come to the right place!

The TOEFL is an important test for your academic needs, and understanding how the scoring system works will let you more easily plan for the future. In this guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know about the TOEFL score range , where your scores (or potential scores) fit into the ranks, and how to set your future TOEFL score goals.

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