How many times can I take the TOEFL exam?
And tips for improving your score
This is another episode of the English with Andrea podcast focused on the TOEFL exam. Today we’ll talk about how many times you can take the test and ways to improve your score. You can listen to the episode or watch along with my video lesson.
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How many times can I take the TOEFL test?
WATCH THIS LESSON
How many times can I take the TOEFL test?
Here’s the good news: You can take the TOEFL test as much as you want! The only requirement is that you have to wait at least 3 days between each time you take the test. That means that if you really wanted to, you can take the TOEFL test every weekend until you get a score you are happy with. You will just need to separately register for the test for each date you want to take it.
Research shows that taking an exam more than once can improve your score on the exam. When I have taken standardized tests in the past, I always planned on taking the test at least twice. I study a lot before the first time, and then take the test. Then I study more, based on what my experience was taking the test. On the second time, I always saw an improvement on my scores.
Look at that first time you take the TOEFL test as a practice, and then challenge yourself to improve as much as you can for the second time.
How do you improve your score the second time you take the TOEFL test?
Here are few of my top pieces of advice on how to improve your TOEFL score:
#1 – Immediately after the test, write down what you remember about the test.
- What questions surprised you?
- In which sections did you run out of time?
- What words were on the test that you didn’t know the meaning of?
- What instructions confused you?
- What questions do you remember from the test?
The more you can write down, the more you will know what to study for on the next time you take the test. Of course, no two tests are the same. However, much of the structure and instructions will be similar.
#2 – Study the most on the sections where you did the worst.
Did you score high on Reading, but low on Speaking? You should spend your time working on your Speaking skills. The reason is that you have the biggest opportunity to raise your score. If you already scored high on Reading, you’re not investing your time wisely if you spend more time studying on Reading skills. I know your study time is limited. That’s why you should focus on what low score could grow the most.
#3 – Review your post-test notes right before you take the test for a second time.
Bring back those notes you wrote right after your first time taking the test. It will trigger your short-term memory right before the test, meaning that you will remember more of what to expect.
If you don’t get the score you want that second time, remember you can wait three days, and try again.
Additional Resources
Check out my Advanced English video course at StudyWithAndrea.com/TOEFL.
Click on one of the following links to start speaking clearer English!
1) TOEFL MASTER CLASS
2) free mini-course “punctuation mistakes to avoid”
3) Clear English Pronunciation Video Course
4) English Vocabulary – Audio Files & PDF – TOEFL & IELTS
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The following is a TOEFL Reading practice test to help you prepare for the Reading section of the TOEFL test.
Instructions: Read the sample passage below and then answer the questions that follow.
TOEFL Reading Practice Passage
Gorillas are ground-dwelling, predominantly herbivorous apes that inhabit the forest of central Sub-Saharan Africa. The genus Gorilla is divided into two species: the eastern gorillas and the western gorillas (both critically endangered), and either four or five subspecies. They are the largest living primates. The DNA of gorillas is highly similar to that of humans, from 95 to 99% depending on what is included, and they are the next closest living relatives to humans after the chimpanzees and bonobos.
Gorillas' natural habitats cover tropical or subtropical forest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although their range covers a small percentage of Sub-Saharan Africa, gorillas cover a wide range of elevations. The mountain gorilla inhabits the Albertine Rift montane cloud forests of the Virunga Volcanoes, ranging in altitude from 2,200 to 4,300 metres (7,200 to 14,100 ft). Lowland gorillas live in dense forests and lowland swamps and marshes as low as sea level, with western lowland gorillas living in Central West African countries and eastern lowland gorillas living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo near its border with Rwanda.
(#1) Gorillas move around by knuckle-walking, although they sometimes walk upright for short distances, typically while carrying food or in defensive situations. (#2) A 2018 study investigating the hand posture of 77 mountain gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (8% of the population) found that knuckle walking was done only 60% of the time, and they also supported their weight on their fists, the backs of their hands/feet, and on their palms/soles (with the digits flexed). (#3) Studies of gorilla handedness have yielded varying results, with some arguing for no preference for either hand, and others right-hand dominance for the general population. (#4)
The eastern gorilla is more darkly colored than the western gorilla, with the mountain gorilla being the darkest of all. The mountain gorilla also has the thickest hair. The western lowland gorilla can be brown or grayish with a reddish forehead. In addition, gorillas that live in lowland forest are more slender and agile than the more bulky mountain gorillas. The eastern gorilla also has a longer face and broader chest than the western gorilla. Like humans, gorillas have individual fingerprints. Their eye color is dark brown, framed by a black ring around the iris. Gorilla facial structure is described as mandibular prognathism, that is, the mandible protrudes farther out than the maxilla. Adult males also have a prominent sagittal crest.
A gorilla's lifespan is normally between 35 and 40 years, although zoo gorillas may live for 50 years or more. Colo, a female western gorilla at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, was the oldest known gorilla at 60 years of age when she died on 17 January 2017.
Questions
1. According to the passage, gorillas can live in
a. a variety of altitudes.
b. several different countries in Africa.
c. thick forests.
d. lowland forests only.
2. All of the following is true about gorillas EXCEPT
a. they primarily eat smaller animals.
b. they live in a forest habitat.
c. their genetics are similar to humans.
d. their diet consists of vegetation.
3. Look at the word predominantly in paragraph 1. The word predominantly in this passage refers to
a. impulsively
b. unfortunately
c. mainly
d. lastly
4. Look at the word inhabits in paragraph 2. The word inhabits in this passage refers to
a. lives in
b. protects
c. goes
d. works
5. The author implies that
a. most gorillas prefer using their left hand over their right.
b. gorillas rarely walk on their knuckles.
c. gorillas regularly walk upright for long distances.
d. studies haven't solidly proven which hand gorillas prefer using.
6. Why does the writer mention that the eastern gorilla also has a longer face and broader chest than the western gorilla?
a. To validate the importance a broad chest in western gorillas
b. To define the meaning of "broad"
c. To highlight a physical difference between types of gorillas
d. To demonstrate that most gorillas are identical in physical build
7. Which of the following statements is true for BOTH eastern and western gorillas.
a. Both eastern and western gorrilas are brown with red foreheads.
b. Both eastern and western gorrilas have unique fingerprints.
c. Both eastern and western gorrilas have thin hair.
d. Both eastern and western gorrilas have light brown eyes.
8. In Paragraph 3, look at the four numbers (#1, #2, #3, #4) that indicate where the following sentence would be added to the passage.
Such a range of hand postures was previously thought to have been used by only orangutans.
Where would the sentence best fit?
(View all the correct answers below.)
Great job! If you're ready to take your TOEFL preparation to the next level, go to StudyWithAndrea.com/TOEFL.
Answers: 1. d 2. a 3. c 4. a 5. d 6. c 7. b 8. #3
Click on one of the following links to start speaking clearer English!
1) TOEFL MASTER CLASS
2) free mini-course "punctuation mistakes to avoid"
3) Clear English Pronunciation Video Course
4) English Vocabulary - Audio Files & PDF - TOEFL & IELTS
About Andrea
Andrea Giordano is the founder of StudyWithAndrea.com and has taught more than 1,000,000 students from 180 countries. Andrea holds a Master of Education (TESOL) from Shenandoah University, and is the former Executive Director of TESOL and ESL programs at Campbellsville University. Andrea is a proven leader in online English teaching and is driven by her passion to help you speak English clearly.
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