Are TOEFL Simulation Tests Useful?
You’ve probably seen a lot of websites that offer TOEFL tests. As with any other exam, it is important to know the structure and content of the exam before taking it. This practice will not only avoid surprises, but it will also help you understand how to organize your preparation. In this article we are going to tell you what types of TOEFL simulation tests exist and how to use them to improve your performance on the day of the test.
If you are interested in the topic of how to prepare the different parts of the TOEFL, we leave you here the related articles for the TOEFL listening, TOEFL reading and TOEFL speaking preparations.
Table of Contents
Types of TOEFL Level Tests
There are many ways to categorize simulation tests: according to the channel (online or paper based), according to whether they try to emulate the conditions you will encounter on test day, according to whether they are TOEFL past exams or are inspired by them, etc. In this article we are going to categorize them into:
Full Simulation Exams
They are exams, whether official or inspired by them, whose particularity is that they completely evaluate the 4 parts into which the TOEFL iBT (and also the TOEFL iBT Home Edition) is divided. In other words, they have a part of Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. Since they are complete exams, you must demand that they replicate the TOEFL iBT exam with the utmost veracity. They are mock exams that must have the same distribution of questions, level of difficulty, evaluation criteria and time requirements as those of the TOEFL exam.
Partial Simulation Exams
These exams, unlike the previous ones, replicate one or more parts of the exam. Its role is to give the candidate a quick overview of what the exam is. Simulations of a single part for the candidate to practice during their preparation are very common. As a candidate, you must demand that this type of TOEFL level tests maintain the level of difficulty and the evaluation criteria of the part they test. Here the time demands and the weights of the different sections are not important.
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What Is the Purpose of the TOEFL Mock Test?
As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, the use of simulation exams can positively help you in your preparation for the TOEFL. Let’s look at 3 ways you can use them:
- Diagnosis: It is especially useful in the initial stages. As you can see, I say phases in the plural because a complete and/or partial diagnosis can be made for each of the 4 sections of the exam. To diagnose your level, it will be enough for you to use a partial simulation exam since what you want to know is how you are with respect to the knowledge necessary to take the TOEFL. We take this opportunity to leave you a link to a midterm exam that we have prepared for your diagnosis.
- Concept practice: Once you are immersed in your preparation, it is highly recommended that you contrast the knowledge you are studying with practical exercises. For this, partial simulation exams are an excellent option. Don’t obsess over resolution times just yet. Now it’s a matter of answering correctly what they ask you. Use midterms by sections of the exam to validate which areas you already solve without problems.
- Finalizing your preparation: You have already reached the final phase and you have already assimilated all the necessary concepts to face the TOEFL with guarantees. It is time for you to do complete simulations of the exam so that you can see what your grade is. To do this, we recommend that you practice in an environment of maximum reality. You can use past and TOEFL-inspired tests, but always try to replicate:
- Test structure and order
- Level of scoring requirements
- Channel.. Remember that the test is online.
- Time of completion. As you get closer to the test day, become stricter in this aspect.
Conclusion
Simulation exams are a necessary complement to good preparation. The TOEFL is a complex and very peculiar exam so it is not enough to practice to get a good grade. Use partial and complete simulation exams as we have indicated and, above all, if possible, put yourself in the hands of real professionals in order to achieve your goals.
We hope this article has answered your questions. If you have any questions regarding your TOEFL preparation, give us a call and we will be happy to explain how EPIC PREP can help you achieve your goals. On the other hand, if you prefer to continue reading we leave you a link to our page of TOEFL courses.
