How I Scored 110+ in TOEFL
Resources Used:
- ETS Official Guide
- Free resources on the ETS Account
- Youtube
Preparation:
You can choose to buy the Paperback as well. It is cheaper. The only drawback here is that you'll either need to listen to the audios and attempt the tests using the DVD they provide with the book or you'll have to transfer everything from the DVD into your device.
You can sign up for this 👉edx course by ETSx. Doing this course saves you from reading all the introductions and instructions before each section in the Official Guide and lets you directly jump to the practice sets. I used this course for just the Reading and Listening sections.
For the Writing and Speaking sections, I followed 👉Noteful's videos. These are useful only when you make proper notes and learn the templates they recommend for each question type.
Once I was done with the course, official guide practice sets and videos I attempted 4 tests:
- 3 of those that came with the official guide
- 1 that is provided on the ETS's site for free
After each sample test I revised whatever I didn't get right in the first place and worked on my weak portions. For example, initially I was stumbling in Speaking a lot. Then I stood in front of a mirror, started a timer and practiced one question per question type till it was perfect. That made my speech fluent and all I had to do was plugin different points for different questions in the subsequent tests.
Finally, I revised the questions/points I had marked in the Official Guide and my own notes.
Some pointers:
- Vocab is nothing major to stress about as it mostly consists of everyday words. If you want, you can follow the Magoosh's TOEFL Flashcards App.
Repeating, restarting, rushing, stopping and stuttering are bad signs. Do not let them feel you are nervous while speaking english. Be well paced and clear in your pronunciation. Make every sentence excellent.
Content matters. If you speak or write gibberish just to fill time or reach a word limit, it won't enhance your score.
While listening to audios, do not write down everything. Also try out some abbreviations for common words. For example, something = s/t.
Timing yourself while practicing is necessary as accuracy is useful only if you finish in the allotted time. See ways on how to self-evaluate yourself, provided after each section in the Official Guide.
Some Personal Opinions formed after Experience:
- It is extremely easy to score 110+ on your TOEFL exam! I do not recommend joining any test series or coaching.
- This prep took me around a month because I was lazy and was managing it along with work. But, I feel, until and unless your English needs a lot of work, 15 days of serious studying is more than enough.
- I gave TOEFL after my GRE. This order is advantageous in the sense that the reading and writing sections become a piece of cake. Moreover, cracking TOEFL is easy-peasy in comparison to cracking GRE/GMAT. However, you can plan according to your comfort and goals.
- According to me, the ideal time to book your TOEFL is after you are done with the section wise practice portions in the Official Guide. As, then you have a hang of the syllabus. You can easily estimate the time you will require to complete the practice tests and revisions.
- As far as I know, TOEFL scores do matter in enhancing your overall application. Also, it is an expensive but scoring exam, so I would say give it seriously in one go and do not focus on just crossing the required benchmark.
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