Want to score high on the TOEFL®  exam? Here's expert advice from Marilyn Rymniak, executive director of international products & programs, Kaplan Educational Centers:

• Know the basics about the exam ahead of time. Don't waste time reading the directions. Instead, read and reread the instructions given on practice tests so that you remember the instructions during the actual exam.
  
  
• Don't leave blanks. Guess if you don't know the answer. There isn't a penalty for a wrong answer on the TOEFL® test. So, it's to your advantage to make educated guesses and eliminate answers you know are wrong.
  
  
• Budget your time. After the time for one section is finished, you cannot go back to it. Even if you have extra time later on. To do well on the TOEFL® test, you must learn to answer questions quickly.
  
  
• Read all the choices before selecting the best answer. Don't pick the first choice that "looks right." Many of the wrong answers on the TOEFL® test have been purposely written to confuse you.
  
  
• Mark your answer sheet correctly. Erase all mistakes completely. Do not mark more than one answer. Remember a machine will score your test, and a machine cannot think like a human being.
  
  
• Develop your stamina and learn how to sit still. Keep in mind the TOEFL® test  is a long exam. You'll need to concentrate for three hours. There are no rests or breaks between sections. Even if you're tired, don't let things distract you. Taking practice tests can help build stamina.

For the first section, Listening Comprehension

• Choose carefully. Often the answer that looks most like what you heard is, in fact, wrong. Don't answer a question too quickly.
  
  
• Look ahead at the answers to the next question. There are about 10-12 seconds between each question. Use this time to read ahead so you can better predict the answer.
  
  
• Listen carefully. You have only one chance to listen to each question or conversation. It's very important to concentrate on the recording. Do not let yourself start thinking about other things.
  
  
• Answer each question before the next question begins. You'll only hear a question once. There is no chance to go back to it at a later time. If you are not certain of the answer, make your best guess. Then forget about it. This way you can concentrate completely on the next question.

On the second section, Structure and Written Expression

• Don't lose time on the harder questions. Your goal is to answer as many questions correctly as possible. You may need to guess on the harder questions if they take too much time. Remember the last questions are typically more difficult than the first questions.
  
  
• Read each sentence completely. You may immediately know what the sentence needs. This will help you decide on the correct answer more quickly.
  
  
• Try each choice in the sentence to see whether or not the sentence sounds correct. Don't eliminate an answer if you haven't tried it first in the sentence.

For the last section, Reading Comprehension, which is considered the most difficult and the longest

• Budget your time. Don't spend too much on any passage or question. Sometimes answering the easy questions first will help you find the answers for the more difficult questions.
  
  
• Don't panic if there are a lot of words you don't recognize. You don't need to know every word to answer the questions correctly. Stay calm and make educated guesses.
  
  
• Answer every question before going on to the next passage. You can't afford to reread a passage-you simply don't have the time. Always answer every question and remember there is no penalty for guessing!

Preparing yourself for the exam day

• On the day before: review all TOEFL®  test strategies and assemble the following items: three pencils, 2 erasers, a pencil sharpener, a watch, your admission ticket and official identification, such as a passport.
  
  
• On the morning of the TOEFL® test: eat a very good breakfast. Wear something comfortable, bring an extra sweater in case you get cold. Leave for the test early. Don't be late-you will not be admitted. Do not attempt to bring food, drink, cellular phones, dictionaries, notes or tape recorders into the testing room. They are not permitted.
  
  
• During the test: follow all instructions and work only on the section designated by the proctor. Accept the seat assigned to you. Don't try to insist on a special seat. Remember to mark your answer sheet correctly and do not write on your TOEFL®  test booklet. Use your watch to time yourself on each section.

Lastly, think positive thoughts, do your best, and "Good Luck!"