Ultimate TOEFL Preparation Guide for 2025
Expert strategies, tips, and resources to help you achieve your target TOEFL score in 2025.
Why the TOEFL Matters in 2025
If you're aiming for a top TOEFL score in 2025, you're in the right place. As someone who scored 119 out of 120 on the TOEFL test and has helped hundreds of students achieve their target scores, I'm here to give you everything you need to succeed on this test.
Before we dive into the details, let's talk about why the TOEFL is especially important in 2025. If you're planning to study at a university in the US, Canada, or other English-speaking countries, or if you're applying for a visa or looking to expand your career opportunities, your TOEFL score will play a key role in opening those doors.
The TOEFL isn't just about passing a test—it's about achieving your personal goals. I've seen many of my students land great university placements and promotions after hitting their target TOEFL scores.
For example, about 60% of my current students are dentists who need to take the TOEFL to prove their English proficiency before they can get a license to practice. Many also need to complete an advanced standing program if they want to pursue a Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in the US.
The thing is, a lot of them struggle with the test, taking it five, six, or even more than 10 times before they finally achieve the score they need. Is it because their English level is low? Not at all! It's because they don't always know how to approach the test or its sections effectively to get the score they need.
So today, we'll make sure you don't waste your time on irrelevant information and only focus on the key strategies that will help you get your dream TOEFL score in the fastest time possible.
What's New with the TOEFL Test in 2025
Let's begin by talking about the format of the TOEFL test in 2025. You might have heard that some changes were made to the test in 2023, making it shorter and, in a way, even more manageable. The same format remains in 2025.
The test is now available in two formats: the traditional test center version and the home edition. This is great for flexibility. The content is identical, so whether you take the test in a test center or at home, you're going to get the same questions, the same format, and the same scoring.
Test Center Edition
- Taken at official ETS test centers
- Controlled environment
- No worries about technical issues
- May have background noise from other test-takers
Home Edition
- Take the test from the comfort of your home
- Need a quiet, private room
- Requires stable internet connection
- Must have a computer with webcam and microphone
The majority of my students are now choosing the home edition because it's more convenient. You don't need to leave the comfort of your apartment, and you also don't need to deal with the noise other students make. However, some still have to take the test at the test center, and there is nothing dramatically wrong with that. For some, it's even easier because you have an opportunity to focus and are not afraid that your family members will burst into your room in the middle of the test.
TOEFL Test Format in 2025
As for the format of the test itself, we still have four main sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Let's discuss each of them.
Reading Section
You'll have two long passages, each about 700 words long, and there will be 10 questions after each passage. You'll have 35 minutes for the whole section, which gives you about 17-18 minutes for each text.
Students who have recently taken the test have told me that the paragraphs have become a bit longer than they used to be, so you should be ready to navigate through a lot of text to find the right answers.
Listening Section
The listening section has stayed pretty much the same in terms of the types of audio you'll listen to: three academic lectures and two conversations. You'll have 36 minutes to complete this section.
It's all about staying alert to catch both main ideas and details that support them, and making sure that your note-taking doesn't distract you from listening.
Speaking Section
One of the most difficult sections of the test is still the speaking section. It has four tasks, and they're the most challenging because you'll have to answer them in 45 or 60 seconds. You need to deliver clear, organized responses, and each task gives you the opportunity to show off your fluency, vocabulary, and grammar skills.
- Task 1: Answer a simple question in 45 seconds with 15 seconds to prepare
- Tasks 2 & 3: Read a text, listen to a conversation or lecture, then summarize both in your own words
- Task 4: Summarize an academic lecture
Writing Section
The writing section consists of two tasks:
- Integrated Task: Read a passage, listen to a lecture that contradicts it, then summarize the information from both
- Writing for an Academic Discussion: Express your opinion and justify it with strong arguments and supporting evidence
5 Tips for Success in the Reading Section
Tip 1: Don't read the text first
Instead, go immediately to the questions and start answering them. The problem that most students have is that they try to get an extremely deep understanding of the text, which is not necessary. Instead, you should read the question, identify its type, and then use the strategy that works for this particular question type to get the best result.
Tip 2: Focus on the details
Sometimes the questions focus on very specific details like names, dates, or numbers. Pay attention to these as you read; they often show up in the questions. For example, the question could be about what happened in the first half of the 19th century. You should find the part of the paragraph which mentions that particular period. If the part of the paragraph is about the 1870s, you don't need to read it because this is the second part of the 19th century, not the first.
Tip 3: Use the process of elimination
If you're stuck on a question, don't waste too much time on it. Instead, try eliminating the obviously wrong answers. Even if you are not 100% sure, narrowing down the choices increases your chance of picking the right one. For example, if one of the answers is "the importance of social media" but the passage never mentions social media, you can confidently eliminate that choice. On the TOEFL, they'll always give you two answer options that are clearly incorrect. You should eliminate them and choose between the remaining two.
Tip 4: Practice time management
You only have about 17-18 minutes per passage, so you need to manage your time wisely. Don't spend too long on any one question. If you're unsure about an answer, make your best guess and move on. You can always come back to it if you have extra time.
Tip 5: Focus on ideas, not words
Since I've analyzed hundreds of texts with my students, I pretty much know every single type of mistake they can make. One of the most common ones is focusing too much on the words rather than their meanings. Because of this, whenever they see words they don't understand or just a lot of academic vocabulary, they get confused and don't know where to start. Instead, try to simplify what you read, focusing on the ideas and pictures inside your head rather than just the words. Doing this will help you avoid being overwhelmed by academic vocabulary and will help you understand difficult texts.
5 Tips for Success in the Listening Section
Tip 1: Take effective notes
During the listening section, you won't have time to go back and listen again, so taking notes is essential. Write down key ideas, facts, and opinions as you hear them. Don't try to write down everything, just focus on the main points and supporting details. I always suggest you analyze your notes after you finish listening. Check if they helped you answer the questions or were just a distraction, then adjust them if necessary.
Tip 2: Identify transitions
Listen for transition words like "however," "besides," and "on the other hand." These signals help you understand when a new idea is being introduced, which is often what the questions will focus on.
Tip 3: Practice active listening
Don't just passively listen to the audio; really engage with it. As you listen, think about how the ideas connect and what the main argument is. This helps when answering inference-based questions.
Tip 4: Review listening transcripts
Get into the habit of listening again to the same recording while reading the transcript at the same time. This will boost your listening skills and ensure you can adjust your notes better. You can practice that on the Daily Dictation website. The more you expose yourself to these types of lectures, the better you'll be at understanding them on the test.
Tip 5: Stay calm if you miss something
It's easy to panic if you miss a word or idea, but don't let it throw you off. Move forward and focus on the next part. You'll still have plenty of opportunities to answer questions correctly.
5 Tips for Success in the Speaking Section
Tip 1: Speak clearly and confidently
Don't stress about having a perfect accent; just focus on speaking clearly and confidently. The examiners care more about whether you can communicate effectively, not whether you sound like a native speaker. I've seen many students get so caught up in how they sound that they forget everything else. A great exercise to build your confidence is to practice speaking with a pen in your mouth. Do it for just 3-5 minutes a day, and you'll notice significant improvement in your enunciation.
Tip 2: Give one reason in Question 1
If you're not a fast speaker, stick to just one reason but develop it well. Ask yourself, "How can I prove my point?" Then give a detailed example. This will lower your stress because you won't have to come up with two reasons in just 15 seconds, plus it lets you focus on fluency instead of jumping between topics.
Tip 3: Be concise and organized
You don't have much time to explain your answers, so keep them clear and well-structured. This is where templates can make a big difference. We have high-scoring templates in our course, so check them out before the test date. With a solid structure, you can fit more details into your 45 or 60-second responses. Quick tip: practice answering questions without a time limit first. Once you're comfortable, try answering within the time limit and repeat until you can consistently produce a polished answer.
Tip 4: Use varied vocabulary and grammar
Avoid repeating the same words and phrases. Instead, use a variety of vocabulary and grammar to show off your skills. For example, instead of saying "I like studying with others," you could say "I find group study sessions to be incredibly beneficial" or "I really enjoy studying in a group." But remember, focus on what you're saying, not just the fancy words you use. Otherwise, you might lose fluency.
Tip 5: Record yourself
Recording your responses is a game-changer. Listening back lets you spot areas to improve, like grammar, vocabulary, or fluency. But don't listen to your recordings right away. Give it some time, then come back to them as if you are an examiner evaluating someone else's response. Look for mistakes, analyze the structure, and treat it as if it's not your own answer. This will help you be more objective and understand the format better.
5 Tips for Success in the Writing Section
Tip 1: Plan your essays
For both writing tasks, it's crucial to take a few minutes to organize your thoughts before you start writing. Create an outline with your main points and supporting details. This will make it easier to write a cohesive and well-structured essay. For the Writing for an Academic Discussion task, make sure you clearly state your opinion and then provide well-supported arguments. This is where templates come in handy. In the integrated essay, a template makes up a large part of your answer, so even if your level isn't super high, you can still score well.
Tip 2: Stay focused on the question
Especially for the Writing for an Academic Discussion task, make sure your essay directly answers the question. Don't wander off topic or add irrelevant information. Keep your arguments clear and back them up with examples.
Tip 3: Learn to spot errors in your essays
Just like with the speaking section, you should be able to catch your mistakes. Always leave a few minutes at the end to read through your essay and check for grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. This can make a huge difference to your score, as minor mistakes can affect your overall clarity and coherence.
Tip 4: Use academic vocabulary
You don't need to fill your answers with too many academic words, but try to include two to three formal or academic-sounding phrases. Again, you don't need to over-complicate things, but using words like "evidence," "however," and "consequently" can help your writing stand out.
Tip 5: Revise three key grammar topics
90% of my students make the same mistakes in their essays related to three main areas: articles, tenses, and punctuation. We have a separate lesson in the course that focuses on all of them, but if you're preparing on your own, spend time revising these three topics first. Do plenty of exercises to check for mistakes in these areas, then review the theory, and finally look for these errors in your essays. This will make a huge difference.
How to Prepare for TOEFL in 2025
If you're serious about getting that 100+ score, you'll need a study plan. Here's a step-by-step approach:
- Start with a free ETS practice test. It'll give you a solid idea of how you're doing, so you know what areas to focus on.
- Dive into the sections that challenge you the most. Whether it's reading comprehension or speaking fluency, make sure to spend extra time practicing those areas.
- Spend at least a few days on each section. If your time is very limited, focus only on the most challenging sections.
- Follow this cycle: Drill each section → Take a mock test → Check your performance → Come back and drill the challenging sections again → Take another mock test.
Recommended Resources
- Official ETS TOEFL iBT Tests: Contains authentic test questions from past exams
- LinguaTOEFL App: Take mock tests, drill each section, and focus on specific reading question types
- Daily Dictation Website: Great for improving listening skills
- TOEFL Prep Course: Provides detailed tips, strategies, and in-depth analysis of every section
Important: If you have problems with a certain question type, you need to practice it repeatedly until you improve. Don't waste time doing the whole reading section; focus only on the question type you're struggling with. Once you feel more confident, move on to another question type or start doing complete reading tests.
Final Thoughts
Remember, every test is a chance to show what you know. Be prepared, practice regularly, and stay confident in your skills. When test day comes, take a deep breath, stay calm, and remember you're more ready than you think.
Scoring 100+ on the TOEFL isn't rocket science—it's the little things you do that make all the difference. With the right strategies and consistent practice, you'll be well on your way to achieving your target score.
If you found this article helpful, be sure to check out our other TOEFL resources and preparation materials. With the right tools and guidance, you'll be well-equipped to succeed on the TOEFL in 2025.
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