The TOEFL Listening section evaluates your ability to understand spoken English in authentic academic settings, featuring university lectures, classroom discussions, and campus service conversations. Because each audio track is played strictly once, test-takers must master active note-taking, anticipate organizational cues, and recognize speaker attitude and purpose. Success relies heavily on understanding complex question types while avoiding common distractor traps across multiple-choice and multi-answer formats.
1. What is the total duration of the updated TOEFL iBT Listening section (post-July 2023)?
Correct Answer: b) 36 minutes
Explanation:
Following the July 2023 updates, the TOEFL iBT Listening section takes exactly 36 minutes to complete.
2. How many total questions are in the standard TOEFL iBT Listening section?
Correct Answer: b) 28
Explanation:
The updated Listening section consists of exactly 28 questions.
3. The Listening section features two types of audio. What are they?
Correct Answer: b) Academic lectures and campus conversations
Explanation:
The TOEFL tests academic English, so the listening materials simulate university life through academic lectures and campus-based conversations.
4. How many academic lectures are included in the standard Listening section?
Correct Answer: b) 3
Explanation:
The section includes exactly 3 academic lectures.
5. How many campus-based conversations are included in the standard Listening section?
Correct Answer: b) 2
Explanation:
The section contains exactly 2 campus conversations.
6. How many questions follow each academic lecture?
Correct Answer: c) 6
Explanation:
Each of the 3 academic lectures is followed by 6 questions.
7. How many questions follow each campus conversation?
Correct Answer: b) 5
Explanation:
Each of the 2 conversations is followed by 5 questions.
8. Can you replay an audio track in the TOEFL Listening section?
Correct Answer: c) No, the audio plays only once
Explanation:
A major challenge of the test is that the main audio tracks are played exactly once. You must rely on your notes and memory.
9. Are you allowed to take notes during the Listening section?
Correct Answer: c) Yes, using the provided scratch paper (or erasable surface for the Home Edition)
Explanation:
Taking notes is highly encouraged and essential for success, using the official materials provided.
10. Which English accents might you hear in the TOEFL Listening section?
Correct Answer: c) A mix of North American, British, Australian, and New Zealand accents
Explanation:
To reflect global academic environments, ETS includes various native-speaker accents, though North American is the most common.
11. Can you read the questions before the audio starts playing?
Correct Answer: b) No, the questions only appear after the audio finishes
Explanation:
You do not see the questions beforehand. You must listen and take notes without knowing exactly what will be asked.
12. What is shown on the computer screen while the audio is playing?
Correct Answer: c) A picture providing context (like a classroom or an object) and occasionally written technical terms
Explanation:
The screen displays an image to set the scene (e.g., a student and professor) and will sometimes spell out highly specialized terms used in the lecture.
13. Can you skip a question and return to it later in the Listening section?
Correct Answer: b) No, you must answer in sequence and cannot go back once you confirm an answer
Explanation:
Unlike the Reading section, the Listening interface forces you to answer questions one by one. You cannot navigate backward.
14. How does the timer work in the Listening section?
Correct Answer: b) It only ticks down while you are answering questions, not while the audio is playing
Explanation:
The countdown clock pauses during audio playback. You must manage the remaining time across all the questions yourself.
15. What is the penalty for guessing incorrectly in the Listening section?
Correct Answer: c) There is no penalty for guessing
Explanation:
The TOEFL does not use negative marking. You should always guess if you do not know the answer.
16. What should you do immediately if the audio volume is too low on test day?
Correct Answer: b) Use the volume control slider on the screen to adjust it
Explanation:
Test takers can individually adjust the volume to their comfort level using the on-screen slider at any time.
17. What happens if you run out of time while answering questions for a lecture?
Correct Answer: b) The test will automatically submit your saved answers and move to the next section
Explanation:
If the timer hits zero, the section hard-stops. Any unanswered questions will be marked incorrect, so keep an eye on the clock.
18. To finalize your answer and move to the next question, which buttons must you click?
Correct Answer: c) First 'Next', then 'OK' (or similar confirmation steps depending on the UI)
Explanation:
The TOEFL UI requires you to select an answer, click 'Next', and then usually confirm. Once confirmed, you cannot go back.
19. What is the typical length of a campus conversation?
Correct Answer: b) 2 to 3 minutes
Explanation:
Campus conversations are relatively short, typically lasting between 2 and 3 minutes.
20. What is the typical length of an academic lecture?
Correct Answer: b) 3 to 5 minutes
Explanation:
Lectures are longer and denser than conversations, generally lasting between 3 and 5 minutes.
21. What are the two common types of campus conversations tested?
Correct Answer: a) Office hours and Service encounters
Explanation:
Conversations generally occur during a professor's office hours (academic focus) or at a university service desk like the library or housing office (problem-solving focus).
22. In a 'Service Encounter' conversation, what is usually the primary focus?
Correct Answer: b) A student trying to solve a non-academic problem, like registering for a class or fixing a housing issue
Explanation:
Service encounters test practical, transactional English where a student needs help from university staff.
23. During an 'Office Hours' conversation, what is typically happening?
Correct Answer: b) A student is discussing an assignment, asking for clarification on a lecture, or requesting an extension from a professor
Explanation:
Office hours involve academic discussions between a student and a professor regarding coursework.
24. Which of the following is a key characteristic of campus conversations?
Correct Answer: b) They feature natural speech patterns, including interruptions, hesitation, and idioms
Explanation:
Conversations simulate real life, so you will hear 'ums', 'ahs', self-corrections, and common collegiate idioms.
25. How should you structure your notes for a conversation?
Correct Answer: b) Draw a line down the middle of the paper and take notes for Speaker 1 on the left and Speaker 2 on the right
Explanation:
A two-column method helps you visually separate who said what, which is crucial for answering questions about specific speakers.
26. In academic lectures, the professor may sometimes ask the class a question. Why is this important?
Correct Answer: b) Student interactions often introduce a new subtopic, a misconception to be corrected, or a key example
Explanation:
When a student speaks in a lecture, it usually signals a transition, a clarification, or an important point that will be tested.
27. Which of the following topics is LEAST likely to be the subject of a TOEFL academic lecture?
Correct Answer: c) Current controversial political debates
Explanation:
ETS avoids sensitive, highly controversial, or polarizing current political topics. Lectures focus on standard academic disciplines.
28. What is a 'Gist-Content' question?
Correct Answer: b) A question asking you to identify the main topic or main idea of the lecture or conversation
Explanation:
Gist-Content questions ask 'What is the lecture mainly about?'
29. Where is the answer to a Gist-Content question usually found?
Correct Answer: b) In the introduction or the first 30 seconds of the audio
Explanation:
Speakers typically introduce the main topic of their conversation or lecture right at the beginning.
30. What is a common trap in Gist-Content answer choices?
Correct Answer: b) The choices highlight a minor detail that was mentioned, but is not the main focus of the entire audio
Explanation:
Test makers often use true facts from the audio as distractors. The correct answer must encompass the entire passage, not just a small part.
31. What does a 'Gist-Purpose' question ask?
Correct Answer: b) Why the conversation is taking place or why the lecture is being given
Explanation:
Gist-Purpose questions ask for the primary motivation behind the audio, e.g., 'Why does the student visit the housing office?'
32. How do Gist-Purpose questions usually begin?
Correct Answer: b) Why does the student go to see the professor?
Explanation:
The word 'Why' referring to the speakers' actions is the hallmark of a Gist-Purpose question.
33. In a service encounter, if a student talks about a broken window but ends up discussing how to apply for a campus job, what is the Gist-Purpose?
Correct Answer: d) It depends on which took more time; usually the primary problem they needed solved initially is the purpose, unless the focus shifts entirely
Explanation:
The initial reason for the visit is usually the purpose, but pay attention if the conversation takes a hard pivot to a more important topic.
34. What does a 'Detail' question ask?
Correct Answer: b) For specific facts, reasons, or examples explicitly stated in the audio
Explanation:
Detail questions require you to recall or check your notes for specific pieces of factual information.
35. Which of the following is NOT a good strategy for Detail questions?
Correct Answer: c) Trying to memorize every single date and number
Explanation:
The TOEFL rarely tests highly obscure dates or numbers unless they are the central focus of the point being made. Memorizing everything is impossible.
36. If a Detail question asks about a specific example the professor used, what is usually the correct answer?
Correct Answer: b) The point the professor was trying to prove with that example
Explanation:
Detail questions about examples usually test whether you understood *why* the example was relevant to the main topic.
37. What does a 'Function' (Pragmatic Understanding) question test?
Correct Answer: b) Your ability to understand the speaker's underlying intent, beyond the literal meaning of their words
Explanation:
Function questions ask *why* someone said something. For instance, 'Are you sure about that?' might literally be a question, but functionally it means the speaker thinks you are wrong.
38. How are Function questions usually presented in the test?
Correct Answer: c) By replaying a short segment of the audio and asking, 'Why does the professor say this?'
Explanation:
These questions feature an audio replay icon. You will hear a short clip again, so you don't need to rely solely on your memory of that exact phrase.
39. If a professor says, 'We all know how well *that* worked out,' in a sarcastic tone regarding a historical event, what is the function?
Correct Answer: c) To imply that the event was actually a failure
Explanation:
Tone is key in Function questions. Sarcasm indicates that the literal meaning is the opposite of the speaker's true intent.
40. What does an 'Attitude' question ask you to identify?
Correct Answer: b) The speaker's feelings, degree of certainty, or opinion about a topic
Explanation:
Attitude questions focus on whether the speaker is enthusiastic, skeptical, confused, or confident about what they are discussing.
41. Which of the following is a major clue for answering Attitude questions?
Correct Answer: b) The speaker's intonation, tone of voice, and choice of adjectives
Explanation:
A speaker's tone (e.g., sounding excited vs. hesitant) and subjective adjectives (e.g., 'fascinating' vs. 'flawed') reveal their attitude.
42. If a student says, 'Oh... I guess I could try that,' with a slow, descending tone, what is their likely attitude?
Correct Answer: c) Hesitant, unconvinced, or reluctant
Explanation:
The hesitation ('Oh...') and tone indicate they are agreeing out of necessity, not out of enthusiasm.
43. What does an 'Organization' question ask about a lecture?
Correct Answer: b) How the professor structured the information (e.g., chronological, problem/solution, comparison)
Explanation:
Organization questions test your ability to recognize the overall framework the speaker used to present their ideas.
44. How do Organization questions commonly appear?
Correct Answer: c) How does the professor organize the lecture?
Explanation:
The phrasing is usually direct: 'How does the professor organize the lecture?' or 'How is the discussion organized?'
45. Which transition words heavily indicate a 'Comparison and Contrast' organizational structure?
Correct Answer: c) On the other hand, unlike, whereas
Explanation:
These words signal that the speaker is outlining the differences between two concepts.
46. What does a 'Connecting Content' question require you to do?
Correct Answer: b) Drag and drop items into categories, place steps in an order, or match concepts in a table
Explanation:
These interactive questions require you to categorize or sequence information based on the relationships discussed in the audio.
47. If a lecture describes the life cycle of a butterfly, what type of Connecting Content question is most likely?
Correct Answer: c) Ordering the stages of the life cycle from first to last
Explanation:
Processes and life cycles naturally lend themselves to sequencing/ordering questions.
48. What does an 'Inference' question ask in the Listening section?
Correct Answer: b) To draw a logical conclusion based on hints or indirect information in the audio
Explanation:
Inferences require you to understand what the speaker strongly implies without explicitly saying the exact words.
49. Which words typically indicate an Inference question?
Correct Answer: b) What does the professor imply about...?
Explanation:
The words 'imply' or 'infer' are the primary markers of an Inference question.
50. If a professor says, 'Usually, late papers lose a letter grade, but given your hospital stay, we can make an exception,' what can be inferred?
Correct Answer: c) The student will not lose a letter grade for being late
Explanation:
Making an exception to a penalty rule logically implies the penalty will not be applied in this specific case.
51. Why is writing down every single word a bad note-taking strategy?
Correct Answer: b) It is impossible to keep up, and you will stop actually comprehending the main ideas
Explanation:
Attempting to transcribe the audio forces you to focus on words rather than meaning, causing you to miss the overall structure and logic.
52. What should you focus on when taking notes during a lecture?
Correct Answer: b) The main topic, major subtopics, key examples, and transition words
Explanation:
Effective notes capture the structural framework of the lecture and the relationship between major concepts.
53. What is a highly effective way to increase your note-taking speed?
Correct Answer: b) Using symbols (e.g., arrows, +, -) and abbreviations instead of full words
Explanation:
Shorthand symbols and abbreviations drastically reduce writing time, allowing you to listen more.
54. If the professor emphasizes a point by saying, 'Now, this is crucial to understand...', what should you do?
Correct Answer: b) Write down the next point and mark it with a star or underline it, as it will likely be a question
Explanation:
Verbal cues of importance are strong indicators that a Detail or Function question will target that specific information.
55. What should you do if you zone out or miss a sentence during the audio?
Correct Answer: b) Let it go immediately, refocus on the current sentence, and keep listening
Explanation:
Dwelling on a missed sentence will cause you to miss the next three sentences. You must drop it and stay present with the audio.
56. When answering a question, what is the best way to use your notes?
Correct Answer: b) Rely on your memory first, and use your notes to verify details or clarify confusion
Explanation:
Your memory of the lecture's flow is often your best tool. Notes serve as a backup to confirm specific facts and relationships.
57. What is a 'distractor' in the context of TOEFL multiple-choice questions?
Correct Answer: b) An incorrect answer choice designed to look plausible by using words from the audio
Explanation:
Distractors intentionally use familiar vocabulary from the passage to trick test takers who didn't fully understand the context.
58. Which of the following is a classic characteristic of an incorrect distractor?
Correct Answer: b) It connects two concepts that were mentioned in the lecture, but were never related to each other
Explanation:
Test makers love to take two true but unrelated facts from the lecture and combine them into a false statement.
59. If an answer choice contains extreme words like 'always', 'never', or 'impossible', it is usually:
Correct Answer: b) A distractor, because academic speech usually includes nuance and exceptions
Explanation:
Absolute language is rarely correct in academic contexts, making extreme answer choices highly suspect.
60. Why do speakers in TOEFL conversations sometimes correct themselves (e.g., 'The meeting is on Tuesday. Wait, no, Wednesday.')?
Correct Answer: b) To simulate natural speech, and to test if you are following the flow rather than just writing down the first fact you hear
Explanation:
Self-correction is a deliberate feature to test true comprehension. The final corrected statement is usually the factual answer.
61. If you are completely unsure of an answer and have 10 seconds left, what should you do?
Correct Answer: b) Click any option and click Next to guess, since there is no penalty
Explanation:
A blank answer is 0 points. A guess has a 25% chance of being right. Always guess.
62. What happens to your scratch paper at the end of the test center exam?
Correct Answer: b) The proctor collects and securely destroys it
Explanation:
For strict security reasons, all notes are collected by test center staff and destroyed to prevent test questions from leaking.
63. In a campus conversation, if the student is polite but the staff member sounds annoyed, how might this affect the questions?
Correct Answer: b) There will likely be an Attitude or Function question about the staff member's tone
Explanation:
Strong emotional cues in the audio are almost always targeted by specific Attitude or Function questions.
64. Which of the following phrases is a strong transition indicating a contrast?
Correct Answer: c) On the other hand
Explanation:
Recognizing contrasting transitions is crucial for understanding shifts in the lecture and answering Organization questions.
65. Which of the following phrases indicates the speaker is about to give a concrete example?
Correct Answer: b) Let's look at the case of...
Explanation:
This phrase signals a shift from abstract theory to a specific, testable detail.
66. If a question asks 'What is the professor's opinion of the new policy?', what should you rely on?
Correct Answer: c) The subjective words and tone the professor used when describing the policy
Explanation:
Opinion questions require you to recall the speaker's personal stance, indicated by their adjectives and tone.
67. What is a good strategy for practicing TOEFL Listening at home?
Correct Answer: b) Listen to academic podcasts or TED Talks and practice taking structured notes without pausing
Explanation:
Practicing with continuous, unpaused academic audio builds the exact stamina and note-taking skills required for the TOEFL.
68. During the test, if you find a lecture incredibly boring, what is the best mental approach?
Correct Answer: b) Actively pretend you are highly interested and treat it like a puzzle to solve
Explanation:
Active listening requires focus. Faking interest helps maintain concentration through dense, unfamiliar topics.
69. What does it mean if a speaker uses the phrase 'to put it simply'?
Correct Answer: b) They are summarizing a complex point into a core idea, which is highly likely to be the answer to a main idea question
Explanation:
This phrase signals a distillation of a complex topic. The simplified version is usually the key takeaway.
70. If a conversation involves a student asking a librarian for a specific book, but it is checked out, what will likely happen next in the audio?
Correct Answer: b) They will discuss alternative solutions, such as interlibrary loan or using a different resource
Explanation:
Service encounters follow a problem-solution format. If the first solution fails, an alternative is always proposed and discussed.
71. When a professor says, 'There are three main theories regarding this phenomenon,' what should you immediately do?
Correct Answer: a) Write the numbers 1, 2, and 3 on your paper to prepare for a list
Explanation:
Explicit structural cues tell you exactly how to format your notes for the next few minutes of the lecture.
72. In multiple-choice questions with multiple correct answers (e.g., 'Choose 2 options'), how are they scored?
Correct Answer: b) You must select all correct options to get the point for that question
Explanation:
For a standard 1-point question with multiple answers, you must select all the correct checkboxes to earn the point.
73. Why is it important to maintain eye contact with the screen, even if there is just a static picture?
Correct Answer: b) Because the screen may display important technical vocabulary words that are hard to spell or understand
Explanation:
When a professor introduces a highly specific term, it often appears as text on the screen. Looking away might cause you to miss it.
74. Which of the following best describes the language used in TOEFL lectures?
Correct Answer: b) Formal, academic, but spoken naturally with occasional hesitations or rephrasing
Explanation:
The lectures simulate real university professors, meaning the vocabulary is academic but the delivery is natural and unscripted-sounding.
75. If you recognize a topic (e.g., you are a biology major and the lecture is on biology), what should you be careful of?
Correct Answer: a) Answering based on your outside knowledge instead of what the professor specifically stated
Explanation:
The TOEFL tests listening comprehension, not subject knowledge. You must base your answers strictly on the audio provided.
76. What is the primary difference between a Detail question and an Inference question?
Correct Answer: b) Detail answers are explicitly stated in the audio; Inference answers are logically concluded from hints
Explanation:
Details are facts directly spoken by the narrator. Inferences are unsaid truths that must be deduced from those facts.
77. If a student in a conversation says, 'I'm swamped with midterms this week,' what does 'swamped' mean contextually?
Correct Answer: b) They are overwhelmed and extremely busy
Explanation:
'Swamped' is a common collegiate idiom meaning overwhelmingly busy. Idioms like this frequently appear in campus conversations.
78. What should you do if an answer choice uses the exact same words you wrote down in your notes?
Correct Answer: b) Read it carefully; exact wording is often used in distractors that twist the original meaning
Explanation:
Test makers use exact words to trap students who heard a word but didn't understand the context. Correct answers are often paraphrased.
79. When taking notes on a computer for the Home Edition, why is practice important?
Correct Answer: b) Because writing on an erasable whiteboard or plastic sheet feels different and can be messier than paper
Explanation:
Whiteboard markers are thicker and harder to write quickly with. Practicing with them beforehand ensures you can read your own notes on test day.
80. How are raw scores in the Listening section converted to the final score (0-30)?
Correct Answer: b) By an automatic equating process that adjusts for slight differences in test difficulty
Explanation:
ETS uses statistical equating so that a score of 25 reflects the exact same level of ability regardless of which specific test form you took.
81. In an office hours conversation, what role does the professor usually play?
Correct Answer: b) An advisor providing academic guidance, clarification, or solutions to a problem
Explanation:
Professors in these dialogues are generally helpful authorities guiding the student through an academic challenge.
82. What is the best way to handle a multi-select question (e.g., 'Choose 2 answers')?
Correct Answer: b) Treat each option as a True/False statement based on your notes
Explanation:
Evaluating each option independently against your notes is the most systematic way to find the two correct choices.
83. Why do some lectures include digressions (when a speaker goes slightly off-topic)?
Correct Answer: b) To mimic real academic lectures; these digressions are sometimes tested in Function or Organization questions
Explanation:
Real professors go off on tangents. The TOEFL includes this to test if you can distinguish main points from side notes, or to ask *why* the professor digressed.
84. What does it mean if a speaker's voice goes up in pitch at the end of a statement?
Correct Answer: b) They are likely asking a question, seeking confirmation, or expressing uncertainty
Explanation:
Upward inflection is a key indicator of uncertainty or questioning in spoken English, which is vital for Attitude questions.
85. If a question asks, 'What will the student probably do next?', what is it testing?
Correct Answer: c) Inference based on the resolution of the conversation
Explanation:
Because the audio doesn't state what happens after the conversation ends, you must infer the logical next step based on the agreed-upon solution.
86. What should you do while the narrator is reading the instructions for the Listening section?
Correct Answer: c) Use the time to take a deep breath, adjust your headset, and prepare your scratch paper
Explanation:
The instructions are always the same. Use those few seconds to mentally reset and organize your physical space.
87. Is it possible to have a conversation involving three people in the TOEFL Listening section?
Correct Answer: b) No, conversations are strictly between two speakers
Explanation:
To avoid confusion, campus conversations in the Listening section always feature exactly two distinct speakers (e.g., one male, one female).
88. When a professor introduces a new term and immediately defines it, what should you do?
Correct Answer: b) Write the term and a brief definition, as it is highly likely to be central to the lecture
Explanation:
Definitions of new terms are almost always structural pillars of the lecture and frequent targets for Detail questions.
89. Which of the following is the WORST strategy for the Listening section?
Correct Answer: b) Leaving questions blank to save time
Explanation:
Because there is no penalty for guessing and you cannot go back, leaving a question blank guarantees a zero. Always guess before hitting Next.
90. What happens if you click 'Next' but forget to click 'OK' (or the final confirmation button)?
Correct Answer: b) You remain on the current question and the timer continues to tick down
Explanation:
You must fully confirm your answer to advance. Failing to click the final confirmation wastes precious time.
91. How can you distinguish between main ideas and minor details in a lecture?
Correct Answer: b) Main ideas are usually introduced with emphasis and elaborated upon, while minor details are brief examples to support them
Explanation:
The amount of time a professor spends explaining a concept is a direct indicator of its importance as a main idea.
92. If a lecture is about an animal's physical adaptations, what kind of organization is most likely?
Correct Answer: b) Descriptive / Categorical (listing adaptations one by one)
Explanation:
Lectures on biology or physical traits usually organize information by categorizing different features and explaining them sequentially.
93. Why do some students struggle with the TOEFL Listening section despite having good English skills?
Correct Answer: b) They struggle with memory retention and continuous focus over a long period
Explanation:
The TOEFL tests cognitive stamina and working memory just as much as language. Sustaining focus for 36 minutes of dense academic audio is challenging.
94. If a question asks, 'Why does the professor say THIS?', and replays a clip, what should you focus on?
Correct Answer: b) The context of the conversation immediately before the clip was spoken
Explanation:
Pragmatic meaning relies entirely on context. What the speaker was reacting to just before the clip is the key to understanding *why* they said it.
95. What is the best way to handle 'um', 'uh', and 'like' in the audio?
Correct Answer: b) Ignore them; they are natural fillers and carry no factual information
Explanation:
Fillers are included for realism. They can be safely ignored as they do not affect the main ideas or facts.
96. If an audio segment ends abruptly, what does it mean?
Correct Answer: b) The audio clip is complete, and the questions are about to begin
Explanation:
When the narrator or speakers stop, the audio file is simply over, and the interface will transition to the questions.
97. Which of the following describes a 'distractor' that uses half-truths?
Correct Answer: b) An option where the first half of the sentence is true according to the audio, but the second half is false
Explanation:
A common trap is a choice that starts correctly to bait the student but ends with a false claim. You must read the entire answer choice.
98. When reviewing your answers after a practice test, what is the most important step?
Correct Answer: b) Reading the audio transcript to understand exactly why you missed a question and how the correct answer was paraphrased
Explanation:
Transcripts are the ultimate study tool. They show you exactly where the answer was hidden and how your note-taking missed it.
99. What is the primary difference between Listening and Reading questions on the TOEFL?
Correct Answer: b) You cannot look back at the 'text' (audio) in the Listening section to find the answer
Explanation:
The ephemeral nature of audio means you must rely entirely on memory and notes, unlike Reading where the text is always visible.
100. If you are unsure of the answer to a question, how long should you spend thinking about it?
Correct Answer: b) No more than 1 minute; make an educated guess to avoid running out of time for the rest of the questions
Explanation:
Time management is critical. Stalling on one question will cause you to miss easier questions at the end of the section.
101. What is the best thing to do the night before the TOEFL exam?
Correct Answer: b) Get a full night's sleep to ensure your working memory and concentration are at peak levels
Explanation:
The TOEFL is a test of stamina and focus. Sleep is far more beneficial than cramming, which leads to mental fatigue during the long exam.
