The TOEFL evaluates students on their ability to communicate in English. It is conducted for non-native English speaking students so that they can achieve proficiency in language which is required for studying in the American Universities. Since communication does not just involve speaking but listening too, a listening test is taken under TOEFL. It is very important to not only listen to what the other person is saying but also understand it and respond accordingly.

The best listening tips will indicate that you need to practice. Both speaking and listening can be mastered only with practice. Hence the first listening tip is to keep listening to English songs, CDs, speeches, talk shows and anything that has to do with the language. This will help you get used to different tones and accents and thus make it easier for you to understand the questions in the section.

The second listening tip is to connect and relate to the idea of the passage being read or the thought being conveyed. Each passage has a thought that it promotes, pros and cons of the issue and different aspects of the same thought. It is necessary to understand all this while you are listening to it. Since the test allows you to listen to the passage just once, you have to do so carefully. Try and register all the important points and some simple facts too. Many questions are actually based on very simple facts of the passage which most of us don’t pay attention to.

Few other listening tips are to take notes while listening to a section, noting important dates or places mentioned, understanding the mood or tone of the speaker and keep practicing as much as possible. Practicing listening for 2-3 hours daily for at least one week will surely increase your listening section score remarkably. Take a few sample tests just a day before the actual test to brush up all that you have practiced.