13 tips and tricks to get a high score in the TOEFL Listening section

Do you want to achieve a high score in TOEFL PBT or TOEFL ITP?
If yes, you need to be proficient in all test sections, including the Listening section.

Actually, Listening is the easiest part! You don’t need to worry about grammar and other complicated issues. So, make sure to maximize your score in this section!

However, in reality, many test-takers lose valuable points in the Listening section because they don’t know the right strategies. Don’t let this happen to you!

In this article, we will share tips, tricks, and strategies that you need to know to achieve the maximum score in TOEFL Listening.

The Listening section tests your ability to understand spoken English in various contexts, so it’s important to not just rely on memorization but also to hone your ability to infer meaning from context. By practicing active listening and familiarizing yourself with the different types of listening tasks, you’ll be better equipped to approach each section with confidence.

Overview of the TOEFL PBT listening section.

The TOEFL Listening section is designed to assess your ability to understand spoken English.

This section consists of 50 questions divided into 3 categories, and it lasts 30-40 minutes. You have approximately 12 seconds to answer each question, so make sure to manage your time well!

• Part A consists of short dialogues between two people, and each dialogue is used for only one question.
• Part B consists of longer dialogues between two or more people, and each dialogue is used for several questions.
• Part C consists of monologues or longer dialogues, such as a lecture, and one recording is used for several questions.

Keep in mind that the questions will not be written in your test sheet. Only the multiple-choice answers will be written, and the questions will be read out loud in the recordings. So, listen carefully!

Now you have a clear idea of how TOEFL Listening works. Let’s go straight into the tips, tricks, and strategies you need to get an optimal score in TOEFL Listening!

In this section, test-takers must identify the key details and understand the context in the given dialogues or monologues. Each part has a different format and level of complexity, so it’s important to know how to approach each part strategically. Being able to infer meaning from context and picking up on subtle cues can make all the difference in your score. 

Strategies for TOEFL Listening section A  

1. Focus on the second speaker

 In Part A, the dialogues are short, and the answer is often provided by the second speaker. Try repeating what the second speaker says in your head to help you remember and answer the question.

Example: 

 “I rang the bell, but no one answered.”
The correct answer would likely be B – “The house was probably empty.”

2. Watch for Synonyms in the Choices

 While focusing on the second speaker, also try to find key words from the dialogue. If you find synonyms of these key words in the answer choices, that’s probably your correct answer.

 Example:

 The words “had to,” “fill out,” and “application” mean the same as “was necessary,” “complete,” and “form.” So, the correct answer is D.

3. Avoid Words that Sound Similar

Be cautious of answers that sound similar to words in the recording but have very different meanings. These are often traps!

 Example:

The key word in this dialogue is “lacked.” Be careful of answers like A “locked,” B “looked,” and C “leaked,” which sound similar but have different meanings. The correct answer is D.

4. Learn How to Make Conclusions from Context 

 Some questions will ask you to make inferences based on the dialogue.

Pay attention to clues like “water,” “sand,” and “suntan lotion,” which suggest the conversation is taking place at the beach. Therefore, the correct answer is B.

5. Familiarize Yourself with Sentences with Multiple Nouns 

Some questions in Part A will have more than one noun, which can confuse test-takers. Familiarize yourself with these types of sentences to make it easier to understand.

 Example:

If the second speaker mentions two names—John and Sarah—and says that “Sarah replaced John,” you can infer that Sarah is in the band, not John. So, the correct answer is D.

6. Learn Expressions of Agreement

There are many ways to express agreement besides simply saying “I agree.” Before taking the TOEFL test, it’s a good idea to learn different expressions of agreement in English.

Example:

In this context, “aren’t they?” is an expression of agreement, not a question. Therefore, the correct answer is D.

7. Study Idioms in English

Idioms (expressions that don’t make literal sense) are important in English and may appear in the Listening section. Make sure to familiarize yourself with them.

Example:

The idiom “burning the candle at both ends” doesn’t have to do with burning candles but means overworking yourself. The correct answer is C.

Strategies for TOEFL Listening Part B 

TOEFL Listening Part B consists of longer conversations than in Part A. 

Let’s take one sample question to look at some of the strategies we need to perform well in Listening Part B:

8. Identify the Topic

As you listen to the recording, try to determine the topic of the dialogue. The topic is often introduced at the beginning of the conversation or early on when the second speaker speaks.

Example:
In the dialogue, the topic might be about “opening an account,” as mentioned in the second line of the conversation.

9. Determine the ‘who, what & where’ 

Identifying the who, what, and where will help you listen more actively and remain alert during the dialogue.

Example:
Who: a client and a bank teller
What: opening a bank account
Where: a bank

10. Answer Questions While Listening 

Keep in mind that the recording will be played only once, and you cannot take notes during the recording. So, it’s best to answer the questions immediately after hearing the recording.

Strategies for Listening Part C

TOEFL Listening section Part C consists of 3 longer talks or lectures followed by several questions. Generally, the talks are about school, life, news, or a short version of a lecture. 

Let’s take one sample question to look at the strategies you need to answer Listening section Part C:  

Remember that you are not allowed to take notes, so make sure to pay very careful attention throughout the duration of the talk. 

Now let’s explore the strategies you need to perform well in this part! 

11. Listen Carefully to the First Sentence of the Recording 

If you feel overwhelmed and have trouble remembering all the information in the recording, at least listen carefully to the first sentence. Often, the main idea will be introduced here.

Example:
If the recording begins with “dogs’ sense of smell,” you know the main topic is likely about dogs, so you can predict the question will be related to that.

12. Try to predict the answers 

Many test-takers believe the Listening section is only for testing listening skills. However, it also indirectly tests your reading skills!

You need to read the answer choices quickly and identify key words. These key words will help you listen actively, stay alert, and choose the right answer.

13. Guess if You Don’t Know the Answer

Don’t leave any questions unanswered! Your score will not be penalized for incorrect answers, so it’s okay to guess if you’re unsure. You have a 1 in 4 chance of getting it right!

Next steps 

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IELC Managing Director