One strategy TOEFL texts do not teach is typing. Typing? Boring, I know. But experience tells me that many test-takers are not proficient typists, especially when typing English. Poor typing means you waste time thinking about which key to hit and less time developing ideas for your essays. Also, I bet you practice typing essays on a laptop, right? Right. On test day, however, you will not use a laptop. You will use a standard keyboard like the one below. Standard keyboards are not touch sensitive like laptops. Standard keys are bigger and spaced more. That means it takes more effort to type.
I suggest you buy a standard keyboard. You can get one for $10.00 on the web. Make sure it is USB compatible so you can plug it into your laptop.
Remember: Proficient typing = greater coherence = higher essay scores = a higher writing section score = a higher final TOEFL iBT score.
So how fast can you type? Take the test.
Directions: You have one minute to type the 60-word passage below. Include all punctuation and capital letters.
Topical unity means you focus on one topic from start to finish. If you suddenly introduce a new and unrelated topic, you are changing topics. For example, you are writing about pizza when you suddenly change to TOEFL. This obvious change in topic direction is called a topic digression. This will result in a lack of topical unity and coherence.
When you are finished, add up your mistakes. If you made one mistake, you can type 59 words per minute (60 – 1 = 59 wpm), two mistakes, 58 wpm, etc. Note: A letter not capitalized is a mistake. A comma in the wrong place is a mistake. A missing comma is a mistake.
WARNING: If you type less than 40 wpm, you need typing practice.
For practice typing, check out my TOEFL text via the link below. It has everything you need to know to become a fast and accurate typer.
Got a TOEFL question? Ask the Pro!
© Bruce Stirling 2010-2011
- A test-ready TOEFL student -
© Bruce Stirling 2010-2011
