Test Preparation Services (TPS)

Information on Taking the TOEFL exam in Ottawa and the path for finding a tutor or self-studying in Ottawa

Ottawa
Ontario

TPS - TOEFL Exam Prep in Ottawa

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Vancouver residents have many opportunities to study TOEFL either with tutors, in classes or self-study.  The key issue is making sure that you get quality for whichever choice you opt. TOEFL is a complex test that is integrated among the 4 sub-skills closely, so you need an expert on the test.

Considerations before taking TOEFL

There are a number of features of the TOEFL exam that need to be considered before registering for a course.

1. TOEFL iBT is a computer test so if you feel nervous about speaking into a computer or writing an essay through typing on a screen, you will need to overcome this tension. 
2. TOEFL iBT is an integrated test so that parts of the speaking are integrated with reading and listening and a part of the writing test (task 1)  integrates reading and listening with writing. Thus you have an advantage if your reading and especially listening is particularly strong.
3. TOEFL iBT is a timed test that tends to rush candidates a bit on the speaking and writing (task 2 for example is 30 minutes rather than 40 minutes on IELTS). This mean if you feel uncomfortable under time pressure, it may not be the test for you.
4. Since you do not have a face-to-face interviewer in the speaking test, you do not run into the same problem that IELTS has, namely that your invigilator is also your assessor. For that reason, many believe that the TOEFL speaking exam is more fairly assessed.

Home Tutoring

Home tutoring is the best option because with such a complex test the key issue is making sure that you have a teacher who is teaching to your strengths and weaknesses. If you are interested in studying it with a customized program, please check the TOEFL Tutor Ottawa page for availability. There, you can select a time to study at your convenience. 

Outside of the Home Tutoring

If you would prefer to study outside of the home but still as a one to one arrangement, tutorials can be arranged at any nearby Ottawa library  in a private room booked on the day of study or in a community center. Drop us a request and we’ll get it arranged.

Taking Classes

At one time, there was a TOEFL course everywhere around the corner. However, now fewer learning centers are now offering it as TOEFL has declined in popularity compared to IELTS. However finding a program is still quite easy at many of the language schools  but shop around. TOEFL teaching is most needed in the areas of speaking and writing as most would argue these are the toughest areas. Also, many of them are roll-over programs which mean that they take in students at any time so that means you may be placed midway through a program. 

Self-Study

Self-study help in Ottawa is readily available. While there are many retailers such as Chapters, selling TOEFL guide books (the best being 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), your first stop should be at the public libraries in Ottawa  and you can find TOEFL study guides there. Make sure you get IBT resources and if practicing the test, you will need software to practice it since the test is done on the computer and practicing it on paper is practically useless. Do not take out any TOEFL textbooks that feature the offer paper based test unless you are taking it for special accommodation needs.

Test Taking

It is very difficult for test takers to know where the TOEFL is held and the dates and the official webiste requires you to register first and go through a long process of revealing information about yourself. For those taking the TOEFL test in Ottawa, there is just the one authorized center holding the TOEFL exam, namely  on 450 March Rd Suite #101.. Go to the TOEFL exam locations page for full addresses as well as dates and times. Currently you can register online at the ETS website (just register as a new user) and find out the updated dates at the various locations (you need to sign up to see the exact locations but they are posted on my test locations site).

. The TOEFL test is currently $245/ test, cheaper and arguably fairer than IELTS but it is a tough one to prepare for.45

If you absolutely hate computer tests, ETS is introducing a  TOEFL®Paper-delivered Test, which is just basically the IBT on paper (before they used the Paper Based Test, which was a totally different test). The first test dates for this option are on  October 14, 2017.

Online study

If you are looking for online information browse through our TOEFL exam page and get information on study tips, and a blog with archived strategies, skills and topics and information on recent exams. I have also posted practice exams in speaking and writing where you can even take a mock test in writing and be scored. There are external links to other blogs such as Exam English, English Club and Wikipedia .