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Test Preparation Services (TPS)
Information on Taking the TOEFL exam in Ottawa (Nepean) and the path for finding a tutor or self-studying Ottawa (Nepean).
Ottawa (Nepean)
Ontario |
TPS - TOEFL Exam Prep in Ottawa (Nepean)
TOEFL preparation is helped by the fact that it is an established test with many self study resources. Unfortunately, TOEFL is a very complex test, particularly when it comes to the speaking exam, and it is important to get some guidance. TOEFL is primarily offered in IBT form, so do not buy or borrow textbooks in Paper Based Test (PBT) form.
Things to know about TOEFL before you register
Before you decide to take TOEFL, there are a number of factors to look at:
1) Which University or college you want to attend. Universities and colleges are free to set their own standard for TOEFL or IELTS so different insittutions have different requirements. Some Canadian Universities require higher TOEFL scores than others - some US colleges accept both IELTS and TOELF, others only TOEFL.
2) Do you know about the alternatives? Many take TOEFL as an alternative to IELTS because they feel it may give a more objective assessment or becasue they just feel IELTS is frustrating. However, there may be other alternatives to it besides TOEFL. For example, UBC is now accepting CELPIP academic.
3) Your comfort with a computer- based test. You are not afraid of typing in an essay or speaking answers to a computer. If this makes you feel nervous, do not take TOEFL.
4) Your ability to speak and type fast. Every standardized test has time pressure but TOEFL seems to rush you a lot in the speaking and task 2 section.
5) Your listening skills. Those who have strong listening skills tend to perform better in TOEFL generally because the writing and speaking sections are highly integrated with listening.
6) You budget. TOEFL is a cheaper test at $245 instead of IELTS' price of $309
7) Your spelling skills. In TOEFL, there are no questions that require you to get spelling right - except in the writing tasks, of course
8) Your comfort with multiple choice questions. If you have good deduction skills in multiple choice questions, you may find TOEFL a better test, since listening and reading are tested in this way.
1) Which University or college you want to attend. Universities and colleges are free to set their own standard for TOEFL or IELTS so different insittutions have different requirements. Some Canadian Universities require higher TOEFL scores than others - some US colleges accept both IELTS and TOELF, others only TOEFL.
2) Do you know about the alternatives? Many take TOEFL as an alternative to IELTS because they feel it may give a more objective assessment or becasue they just feel IELTS is frustrating. However, there may be other alternatives to it besides TOEFL. For example, UBC is now accepting CELPIP academic.
3) Your comfort with a computer- based test. You are not afraid of typing in an essay or speaking answers to a computer. If this makes you feel nervous, do not take TOEFL.
4) Your ability to speak and type fast. Every standardized test has time pressure but TOEFL seems to rush you a lot in the speaking and task 2 section.
5) Your listening skills. Those who have strong listening skills tend to perform better in TOEFL generally because the writing and speaking sections are highly integrated with listening.
6) You budget. TOEFL is a cheaper test at $245 instead of IELTS' price of $309
7) Your spelling skills. In TOEFL, there are no questions that require you to get spelling right - except in the writing tasks, of course
8) Your comfort with multiple choice questions. If you have good deduction skills in multiple choice questions, you may find TOEFL a better test, since listening and reading are tested in this way.
Home Tutoring
Many find that the iBT TOEFL is one of the most difficult to self-study or study in a classroom because it involves computer programs and it takes more intensive one-on-one attention. Your tutor will give you a variety of practice tests to do at home as well. If you want the optimum efficiency in your studies and a tailor-made program around your schedule then check out the TOEFL tutor Ottawa Nepean page for to see what is open.
Outside of the Home Tutoring
For the many that might prefer to study away from their home, it is becoming very popular now to simply book a time with their tutors at a public library in Ottawa. If this is your preferred option, let us know and we can arrange for this. Because TOEFL requires the student to work with audio recordings in the speaking and writing exams you do need to ensure you have a laptop and headphones.
Taking Classes
There are a few centers that offer TOEFL in Ottawa, although it seems less popular than before. The most credible is a TOEFL taught by Algonquin college. If you must go with one of the chain schools. be careful with any TOEFL course that is not utilizing an iBT program with computers since the paper test is almost all but extinct. Unstructured roll-over programs that accept students at any point should be avoided as should those that teach you language points general to any ESL program without much real focus on the exam itself.
Self-Study
Self-studying TOEFL is not easy although finding resources is. Several retailers in Nepean sell TOEFL textbooks, the best being Indigo and Bookmarkets to see if there are any used books. The best textbooks are the Official ETS Guide, the Kaplan IBT TOEFL, Princeton Review's Cracking the TOEFL IBT, the Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test and finally Barron's TOEFL iBT). Before you invest heavily, try stopping at the public libraries in Ottawa where there are TOEFL study guides
Test Taking
There is one location in Ottawa that does all the testing. The address is 450 March Rd. Suite 101. Browse test locations and test dates and times.
Online study
If you are looking for online information, browse through our TOEFL exam page and get free information on TOEFL tips, You can also visit an archived blog on strategies, skills and topics and information on recent TOEFL exams. I have also posted free practice exams in speaking and writing where you can even take a mock test and be scored at no charge. There are external links to other sites such as Wikipedia, Exam English and English Club. YouTube sites under TOEFL practice also offers some sample exams but be careful since many of them are questionable quality. The ones I have posted under Free TOEFL Practice are reasonable.