15 reasons why students do not pass the TOEFL test / exam
The English as a Foreign Language test can be very complicated and difficult for most students to pass. This is because certain crucial factors are ignored or overlooked. Student failure on the TOEFL exam can be attributed to a myriad of factors including;
1. Poor Planning/Preparation – Many students often do not prepare adequately for the TOEFL test. If you ask them why, they will be quick to defend themselves, telling you that TOEFL is no big deal but just an English test, especially those who have spent the better part of their academic life receiving classroom lectures and teaching in English. It is very common to hear reckless answers like this, because most of them are unaware of the content and structure of the TOEFL test. It is not surprising that students in this category fail the exam and end up failing the exam.
2. Poor/weak background in learning/studying English language in the classroom: Because English is not the native language (mother tongue) of most foreign students, there is a strong possibility that they will not have a solid and solid foundation in the rudiments. of the English language. Such a weak foundation will definitely reflect on a student’s performance on the exam, especially in the speaking and writing sections.
3. Incoherent communication skills in the English language: A large number of foreign students often experience difficulties in expressing themselves. Most of the time they are unable to express their personal ideas clearly and coherently in verbal/spoken English. When they do speak, they do so with great difficulty and there are often many noticeable distortions in their statements and sentences. This can be very embarrassing, especially when your recorded speeches need to be played back for test scorers. Your diction and accent can also be a big hindrance.
4. Punctuation Problems: These problems come to light during the writing section. Many candidates do not know how and when to apply paragraphs, commas, quotation marks, question marks, capital letters, etc. Test graders are easily discouraged and turned off when they come across poorly scored essays. It is as if you are driving a beat up car on a bumpy road, the experience will definitely not be pleasant.
5. Inability to become familiar with the QWERTY keyboard and lack of proper understanding of its layout and structure: The QWERTY keyboard is an important hardware device used for the TOEFL test; a student unfamiliar with it might have difficulty writing. Such students will spend much of their time trying to find alphabets on the keyboard. As most students know, the TOEFL test clock will continue to tick and this will eventually affect the student’s composition and submission of responses on the writing section.
6. Technical issues that sometimes arise in test centers: Cases of mismanagement/maintenance of facilities and equipment by test center owners/managers (TCAs) have been reported. We have heard and seen cases of malfunctioning computer systems, faulty headsets and microphones, abrupt power outages, internet server failure due to unreliable internet service providers or bad weather, among other issues. Problems like this, more often than not, tarnish the morale, self-confidence, and enthusiasm of the examinees.
7. Unnecessary apprehension: Some students, due to the nature of their training and the environment in which they find themselves, are not inclined to the computer hardware and technology behind its operation, so on the day of the exam they are confused about the use of computer systems. These students often have difficulty navigating the test screen. This type of feeling plunges them into a state of anxiety.
8. Poor Test/Exam Time Management: Good time management is required of a serious examinee. The TOEFL test has a time limit, so each test taker should be aware of this and work to finish within the allotted time for the test. Unnecessary slowness must be dispelled. The TOEFL test requires intelligence and alertness.
9. Careless and unconcerned attitude of students towards the test: It is very important that all TOEFL test takers seriously plan the day of the test. Do not set an important appointment for this day. Arriving late to the center is not recommended as it could jeopardize your chances of getting a high score on the test. If you must make a long trip to the test center, allow enough time to arrive at the test center early. Most students who arrive at their test centers after their scheduled time or registration time often have a hard time settling in for their exams.
10. Test phobia caused by sad stories and ugly experiences of previous test takers: Many lazy students have been told over time how difficult and demanding the TOEFL test can be and these unpleasant stories stick in their minds and brains. The implication of this is that students become disoriented towards the exam and this will negatively affect their performance on exam day.
11. Refusing to attend a coaching/training class: It is never enough for students to prepare for the TOEFL test on their own. Experience over the years has shown that students who attend coaching/coaching classes perform better than their self-study counterparts. They say experience is the best teacher, so why not create time to get the tutelage of tutors who can help you develop intellectually and succeed on the test?
12. Students’ inability to fully deal with past experiences of failing exams/quizzes: Students who fail a standardized test at some point in their lives are likely to think less of themselves when they are required to write again. Just because you failed once doesn’t make you a failure, it just gives you the opportunity to learn better and do better on future tests.
13. Ignorance: Some students fail their TOEFL tests because they are ignorant. They do not realize the vital information that abounds around them because they do not do a thorough and extensive research on the test they intend to sit for. This is terrible considering the number of TOEFL test forums and other relevant discussions that are available 24/7 on the Internet. There are a lot of TOEFL test preparation materials available for free on the Internet, try to take advantage of that opportunity.
14. Lack of Willingness/Enthusiasm to Succeed on Test/Exam: Some students lack the willingness and enthusiasm to strive for success on their exams. This could be caused by illness, family problems, poverty, indecision, emotional stress, and many more.
15. Overconfidence – As much as this may not seem like a real problem, the truth is that it has caused several smart students to fail in their academic pursuits. Try to approach the exam with a certain level of humility and self-confidence, and don’t gloat or brag until your results are available. Overconfidence in students is not encouraged, rather self-confidence is the key to success.
As a professional academic consultant, I recommend that prospective TOEFL test takers and retakers seriously consider the above points so that they can prepare well for their TOEFL exams/tests and achieve high scores. Remember, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Good luck!!!
See you at the top soon.