I tell my students that for these standardized exams, you need 1/2 (TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC) skill and 1/2 English skill to have success. It's just the way it is. Knowledge of the test format and the types of answers required are definite advantages.

I don't agree with "template answers" for either exam. Test graders are trained to spot any memorized language and robotic responses. Types of answers - yes. Specific answers to a specific question - no. No one knows the questions of the exam ahead of time (or shouldn't!).

Given these are standardized exams, part of the "standardization" is the development of exam technique - not different from multiple choice strategies on any exam anyone has taken in their school years.

Finally, on balance, the TOEFL requires much more from candidates - combined skills questions, speaking into the headset instead of a live person, giving answers to the speaking questions in large test halls where a cacophony surrounds candidates because everyone is giving answers at the same time, more university-themed scenarios (while candidates don't always take TOEFL for university admissions), among a few examples.

Those are my observations helping students maximize their TOEFL, IELTS, and TOEIC scores over 12 years now.