The TOEFL iBT Vocabulary List of 1,700 Words: “What do I do with the list now?”

33 Comments / Vocabulary / By

What will you do with your vocabulary list?

What will you do with your vocabulary list?To gain advanced proficiency of English so that you can use English in an academic or workplace setting, you will need to build a vocabulary base of a few thousand words. First year university students begin their collegiate studies with knowledge of about 20,000 words. Only being able to recognize these words in reading passages, these students do not use these words in their writing and speaking. In fact, their “active” vocabulary base is about 3,000 words. But what does this mean to you, a non-native speaker aspiring to score high on the TOEFL iBT test? How many words do you need to know? Which words should you learn? Whose words should you study and why? This post will address answers to these questions.

Some time ago, I wanted to put together a TOEFL vocabulary list to distribute to my TOEFL students at California State University, San Bernardino. To begin building my lists, I consulted college-level textbooks from physics to linguistics–and every discipline in between. I read 26 different college textbooks representing a plethora of disciplines, and, as I read, I wrote down words that I thought important for non-native speakers who wanted to pass the TOEFL iBT. A curious thing happened after 1,700 words: I stopped finding new words and the words I had already written down started to reappear in these college textbooks. Then it dawned on me: I had finished my list at 1,700 words.

As a visitor to this blog, there is a 42% chance that you have already downloaded this list. And to this you can be sure: if you master the words on this list by memorizing them and using the newly acquired words in your writing and speaking, you will improve your ability to understand TOEFL iBT discussions, lectures, and reading passages. Additionally, you will have superior command of your TOEFL iBT speaking and writing skills. If you are really serious about getting an extraordinarily high TOEFL iBT score, I strongly encourage you to subscribe to my monthly TOEFL iBT Newsletter so you can get TOEFL iBT-specific instruction with vocabulary (Like my other TOEFL lessons, the vocabulary topics change each month. For example, in the second issue of my TOEFL iBT Newsletter, you watch an 82 minute video during which you will complete many vocabulary skill-building exercises designed to help you improve your TOEFL iBT vocabulary proficiency.

In conclusion, you may wonder, “Michael, I have the list, but what the heck do it do with it? I mean the list is 242 pages long!” Without delay, you should re-read the December 26, 2008 post titled “Are You Having Trouble Remembering the TOEFL iBT Vocabulary You Are Memorizing?” I challenge you to take my advice to heart and begin this study plan immediately.

Finally, remember the saying that may help you deal with what at first may seem like an overwhelming task: “How do you eat an elephant?” One bite at a time!

For information, go here:

Michael Buckhoff’s “7 Step System to Pass the TOEFL iBT Exam!”

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33 thoughts on “The TOEFL iBT Vocabulary List of 1,700 Words: “What do I do with the list now?””

  5. Michael Buckhoff

    Luyen:

    Wanting to improve is the first of three ingredients necessary to pass the TOEFL iBT. 1). Motivation 2). Practice. 3). Time. You have the motivation, so now you need regular practice over an extended period of time; no doubt, it will not be long before you will give the TOEFL iBT the beating of its life!

    Michael

  8. Rashad

    Hi Micheal,
    i just wanna say thanks alot for the vocabulary list that you made, and i intend to have the exam after 3 weeks, do you that I can prepare for it during 3 weeks ??

  10. Michael Buckhoff

    Lita:

    Your reading + vocabulary strategies are smart. You are using the context to help you understand the meaning of new words. And that is exactly what you will need to do when you take the TOEFL iBT. To get the vocabulary list, copy and paste this link into your browser. Then follow the instructions to get the list. Good luck.
    http://www.bettertoeflscores.com/having-trouble-downloading-my-1700-vocabulary-words-you-can-get-the-words-by-doing-four-simple-steps/1525/
    Michael

  11. Lita

    Hi Michael,
    I usually read books in English; however I do not review the new words that I see because I can understand without know the meaning. Do you think that is Ok?.
    I would like to receive your vocabulary list. Thank you so much ang good luck!

  12. Michael Buckhoff

    Good luck to you! Sounds like you are making some advanced preparations so that you can do well on the TOEFL iBT when you take it next year. The early bird always catches the worm.

  13. Ho Duc Tam

    Hi Michael!
    Just a few words to say that “Thank you so much”. I have just get your The TOEFL iBT Vocabulary List of 1,700 Words.I’m preparing for TOEFL IBT test next year. I’m not good at English now but I try my best.
    Best wishes!
    Duc Tam.

  14. James

    Hi Luc,

    Fill out the request for your name and email on the website and the vocabulary list will be sent to you automatically.

    Good luck!

    Michael

  15. Nguyen Chi Tin

    Hi Michael,
    For some wierd reasons, I have not received the email you sent. Would you send it to me again, please.
    Thanks for your help

  16. James

    Please place your name and email in the subscription box and you will receive a confirmation email. Once you have confirmed your email address you will receive the download link to the vocabulary list.

    Thank You,

    Michael

  17. James

    Please place your name and email in the subscription box and you will receive a confirmation email. After confirming your email address you will receive the download link to the vocabulary list.

    Thank You,

    Michael

  19. Nguyen Chi Tin

    Hi Michael,
    Could you mail me the Vocabulary words?
    Thank you very much for your site, I learned a lot.

  20. James

    Hello Lokesh,

    You can receive the list of 1700 vocabulary words by adding your name and email to the optin form on the website. We will first send you a confirmation email. You must click the confirmation link to allow us permission to send you information. After we receive confirmation we will send you the down load link for the list.

    Thanks,

    Michael

  24. James

    Hi Ram,

    In order to receive the list of vocabulary words, you need to subscribe with your name and email address. We will send you a confirmation email. You have to click on the link to verify your address. We will then send you another email with the download link to the list. The list has helped thousands of people like you.

    to your success,

    Michael

  25. Ram

    Hi Michael,

    Thank you very much for your tips and suggestions. Where can I download 1,700 vocabulary words?

    Thanks,
    Ram

  31. saloomeh

    i can not find this archive

    the December 26, 2008 post titled “Are You Having Trouble Remembering the TOEFL iBT Vocabulary You Are Memorizing
    help

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