Unlocking TOEFL Success: How I Achieved a 115 Score in Just One Week
Are you gearing up for higher education abroad? If so, you’re likely familiar with the daunting hurdle known as the English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT). Whether your sights are set on the bustling campuses of the US, the historic halls of the UK, or the welcoming universities of Canada, mastering these exams is a crucial step toward your academic aspirations.
Now, let’s talk about the ELPT landscape. Universities worldwide have varying requirements, but most commonly accept scores from tests like TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo. While the choices may seem overwhelming, fear not — I’m here to shed some light on the journey, particularly my experience with the TOEFL.
Choosing between TOEFL and IELTS can feel like navigating a maze blindfolded. For me, the decision leaned towards TOEFL, partly due to the allure of US universities favoring it — or so I thought. Spoiler alert: That’s not entirely accurate! But that’s a story for another day; I’ll share more on that soon.
Now, let’s dive into the burning questions: How did I tackle the TOEFL? What were my score goals? And how did I manage to prep in such a tight timeframe?
But before we get into the nitty-gritty, let me paint a picture of my relationship with English over the years. Picture me as the eager student who believed their love for reading translated into stellar vocabulary skills. Well, that bubble burst spectacularly about a week before my TOEFL adventure began.
You see, I had to take the GRE — a beast in its own right, albeit unrelated to the TOEFL. Yet, my less-than-stellar English scores on the GRE served as a wake-up call. Suddenly, I found myself facing the reality of needing to up my game — and fast. With a mere six days to spare, the clock was ticking, and the pressure was on.
So, how did I navigate this uphill battle? Let me take you through my whirlwind journey of preparation, determination, and a touch of desperation.
Understand the Test Format:
Before diving into preparation, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the TOEFL test format. Understand the sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing), their structure, types of questions, and time allocation for each section. This understanding will help you plan your study schedule effectively.
I had absolutely zero idea about the format and this is where I went to, as usual, Youtube. A major shoutout to TSTPrep, without which I honestly wouldn’t be writing this here. They have a playlist on each section and it’s more than enough to understand the format. I decided to allot 2 days of my allotted 6 days to this, but that soon changed to 4 because there were quite a few videos.
Assess Your Weaknesses:
Identify your strengths and weaknesses in English language skills. Take a diagnostic test to gauge your current proficiency level in reading, listening, speaking, and writing. This assessment will guide your study focus, allowing you to allocate more time to areas where improvement is needed.
So even while going through the videos, have a solid idea of what your weaknesses might be. I pretty much knew that listening would be my weakness because of my very low attention span and tendency to focus on useless things. And it was because of that, I decided to google for some free resources for listening. Did a solid 3–4 hours on listening tests!!
If speaking is your weakness, set a timer, search for most asked TOEFL speaking questions and start practicing them, who knows, maybe you might get the same one for your actual test.
Although I did say to take a diagnostic test to gauge your skill level, if you don’t have much time and are pretty much sure of where you stand, don’t even bother taking it.
Create a Study Schedule:
With only one week to prepare, time management is crucial. Create a detailed study schedule, allocating specific time slots for each section of the TOEFL.
So, here’s the scoop: I kicked off my week by diving headfirst into a marathon of TSTPrep videos. Three days stretched into four as I devoured every nugget of wisdom they offered, from decoding reading passages to tackling those dreaded speaking prompts. The next day, which was the 5th day, I took a bunch of tests. ETS, which are the official test takers do provide one free sample paper, which you can try out. However, unlike GRE, for TOEFL, it wasn’t timed nor were the speaking and writing sections scored (for obvious reasons but still). However, there are tons of resources online and all you have to do is search them. I searched for listening and speaking tests, since I was scared of them the most. And finally, on the 6th day, I took it pretty chill, read through some probable questions they ask and tried to come up with points, and mostly took it easy.
Now, before you go thinking I’m some kind of TOEFL prodigy, let me set the record straight. This method? Yeah, not exactly textbook material. I wouldn’t recommend it to the faint of heart or the English-challenged. But fear not, dear reader, for I’ve got your back.
If you’re not exactly BFFs with the English language, fret not. Here’s the lowdown: start by building a solid foundation with grammar and vocabulary drills. Dive into TOEFL prep books, online courses, and language learning apps like your life depends on it. And don’t skimp on the practice tests — they’re your best friend in this wild ride.
Utilize High-Quality Resources:
This is kind of obvious isn’t it? There’s going to be a lot of resources online and offline, however, there are sites which in fact rank the available materials. Select reliable study materials and resources tailored to TOEFL preparation. This includes official TOEFL practice tests, prep books, online courses, and reputable language learning websites. Focus on materials that mimic the actual test format and difficulty level. And well, with limited time, focus more on giving full tests rather than going through question banks.
Practice Regularly:
I would say consistent practice is key to success in TOEFL. But when you have limited time, you’ll have to put in more effort than usual. Engage in reading comprehension exercises, listen to English podcasts or lectures, practice speaking fluently on various topics, and hone your writing skills through structured exercises.
Strengthen Vocabulary and Grammar:
I believe vocabulary is something that is inculcated best through media, be it in the form of books or visual. And with the emerging and ongoing boom of different forms of media, it isn’t difficult to get your hands on some good words. Even shows like Breaking Bad and House MD can get you to refine your vocabulary skills.
But focusing on the exam, get yourself a list of some commonly asked TOEFL words and understand the meaning. Try relating tough words to an experience or something that will help you remember the meaning of the word. ‘GRE takers’ will definitely have an advantage over here as GRE has a very vast and tough vocab list that every person must go through.
Enhance your vocabulary and grammar skills by incorporating vocabulary-building exercises and grammar drills into your study routine. Memorize commonly used English phrases and expressions, as they are often tested in the speaking and writing sections of the TOEFL.
Simulate Test Conditions:
To familiarize yourself with the test environment and reduce test-day anxiety, simulate exam conditions during practice sessions. Time yourself strictly, replicate the testing environment as closely as possible, and practice under timed conditions to improve your pacing and efficiency.
Stay Positive and Confident:
Maintain a positive mindset throughout your preparation journey. Believe in your abilities and remain confident in your skills. Visualize success and stay motivated by setting realistic goals and milestones for yourself.
Rest and Relaxation:
Lastly, don’t forget to prioritize rest and relaxation. Adequate sleep and downtime are essential for cognitive function and memory retention. Avoid burning out by incorporating leisure activities and relaxation techniques into your study routine.
**IMPORTANT TEST TIPS:**
On the day of your exam, you will probably get 2–3 blank sheets of paper and a pencil. If you have followed everything I’ve written until now, then you would have also seen me referring to TSTPrep. They do give a template of all speaking and writing questions, and I honestly recommend writing down the templates on the blank sheet before the test starts.
While writing notes, if you feel you’ve maybe missed important points then leave it instead of worrying over it. Mostly the questions are asked in a way that allows you to answer it quite easily.
In conclusion, achieving a high score on the TOEFL in just one week is challenging but feasible with strategic planning, dedicated practice, and effective study strategies.
Good luck on your TOEFL journey!
PS: Linking a few resources that I found helpful
https://ia601802.us.archive.org/14/items/ielts-00001_202102/IELTS-00001.pdf