During the exam, try to relax and focus on the speaker. Put other things out of your mind. The human mind is easily distracted by other thoughts – previous questions, upcoming passages, etc. – try to put other thoughts out of your mind and concentrate on the messages that are being communicated. Focus on what is being said: do not look out the window, doodle, pick your fingernails or similar. Let go of preconceived ideas. By having an open mind, it is easier to comprehend the intention of the speaker. Avoid unnecessary interruptions, since it may strongly disrupt the listening process. Also be aware that a pause, even a long pause does not necessarily mean that the speaker has finished. Be patient and let the speaker continue in their own time, sometimes it takes time for the speaker to formulate what to say and how to say it. Remain focused on what is being said.

　　Try to be unbiased and don’t become irritated if you can’t hear what is being said. Don’t let the speaker’s habits or mannerisms distract you from what they are really saying. In the passages, the speakers often use a somewhat monotonous way of speaking, which can be very boring and make you fall asleep. Try however to ignore the styles of delivery. The volume and tone both add to what someone is saying. Sometimes the speaker will use pitch, tone and volume of voice in certain situations – let these help you to understand the emphasis of what is being said.

　　Furthermore, when you are listening to the passages, try to pay attention to the tone of the speaker in relation to his/her mood. If you understand the feelings of the speaker: happy, sad, angry, or fearful, it can help you in understanding what message the speaker is trying to communicate. A happy mood often is accompanied with positive answers and thoughts whereas a sad mood is often accompanied with negative answers and thoughts. Having an understanding of the speakers’ feelings truly helps you being engaged in the passage, and works beneficiary for your focus and concentration.

　　You need to get the whole picture, not just isolated bits and pieces. Maybe one of the most difficult aspects of listening to the passages is the ability to link together pieces of information to reveal the ideas of others. With proper concentration, letting go of distractions, and focus, this becomes much easier.

　　For some, it is obviously more difficult to focus than others. Because of this, it is prudent to take notes during the passages. This is not just done to review later what was being said, but the act of writing what you hear can help keeping you engaged in the conversation, remaining focused and concentrated. It has always been strongly advised to take notes during the TOEFL exam, and being good at it is a strong advantage.

　　Please note that hearing and listening aren’t the same things! Hearing is simply the process of the sound waves hitting your eardrums, whereas listening on the other hand refers to the active process which constructs meaning from the verbal messages inside your head. Pay attention to what is being said, isolate yourself when listening to the passages, and do your best!