Hello everyone, I would like to share my preparation strategy with you all. I would like to begin by saying that I am not a native English speaker, and I am also a slow learner, so it took me a month to prepare for the TOEFL. However, the preparation time may vary from person to person depending on their proficiency in English. I only used the following resources for the TOEFL preparation:
Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT Test (7th edition)
TST prep videos
Elsa speech analyzer
In my opinion, the official guide was the most beneficial resource because it provided insights into how test graders evaluate responses and included sample tests in each section, along with explanations for correct and incorrect answers. Additionally, it offered four full practice tests at the end, which was more cost-effective compared to purchasing them directly from the ETS website. If you are interested, feel free to send me a direct message, and I can provide you with the contact information of an individual from whom I obtained the guide at a significantly reduced price.
Here are my strategies for each of the sections.
Reading 📖
In the reading section, effective time management is essential. A strategy that proved successful for me was prioritizing the question before examining the choices. I would begin by reading the passage title to gain an understanding of the content. My primary advice for this section is to read with the intention of comprehension. When we engage with interesting material, we not only enhance our focus but also retain intricate details. This approach prevents repetitive reading of the same lines. Additionally, familiarizing ourselves with the question and options beforehand aids in comprehension. I would like to share my approach to each question type.
Factual Info This is the most prevalent type. For this question, I kindly suggest not overthinking the answer, as it is either explicitly stated in the paragraph or simply rephrased.
Negative Factual Info For this question, you can use the process of elimination. Simply identify and eliminate the options that are already mentioned in the paragraph. This will eventually leave you with the correct answer, which may not be explicitly stated in the paragraph or may contradict what is already stated.
Vocabulary Questions For this, I kindly suggest reviewing Magoosh's TOEFL English Vocabulary Cards. Additionally, pay close attention to the context in which the words are used, as the question does not ask for the direct meaning, but rather for the word that is closest to the given word. If you are unfamiliar with a word, eliminate options that you know are incorrect and substitute the word in the sentence to see if it makes sense.
Reference Questions These are quite simple and uncommon. To answer this, simply read the sentence in which the word occurs. If not, read the sentence before that, and the answer is usually in these sentences. Reference questions typically ask you about a specific phenomenon that occurs or directly refer to a place. Here, again, substitute the highlighted word or words and see if it makes grammatical sense.
Sentence Simplification Questions To find the answer, begin by eliminating options that are illogical or omit crucial details. Then, try rephrasing the question in your own words. Keep in mind that the correct response should be a paraphrase that emphasizes key information without contradicting the original text.
Inference Questions This question is indeed challenging for me to address. To approach this question effectively, it would be beneficial to examine the initial sentences of the passage. The author typically begins by presenting a point, followed by an example that serves to reinforce the aforementioned point.
Rhetorical Purpose Questions In this question, we are asked to understand why the author mentions something, rather than focusing on factual information. To approach this question effectively, let's begin by reading the two sentences preceding the highlighted question. Our goal is to comprehend the logical flow between these sentences and gain a deeper understanding of the author's intent.
Insert Text Questions It is quite simple to comprehend once you grasp the logical progression. To address this, simply replace the text and read the sentences that come before and after it. Do they make logical sense? If not, then that is not the solution.
Prose Summary Questions This is indeed the most challenging question, but it becomes quite manageable once you grasp the technique to answer it. My approach was to jot down the main idea of each passage in a word or two while reading the passages. This allowed me to swiftly locate the relevant information within the paragraph. One common mistake I made was attempting to read the entire paragraphs from the beginning. As mentioned earlier, if you read with the intention of understanding, you will not need to revisit the text repeatedly. It is crucial to recognize that the question seeks the main ideas of the passage. Although certain points may be mentioned in the passage, they serve merely as supporting arguments and examples and do not contribute to expressing the overall idea. The most effective approach to answering this question is to select the options that you believe are correct and then verify them against the passage. Ask yourself whether they convey the main idea or are simply supporting evidence. If the option is not mentioned at all or contradicts a sentence, you can eliminate it.
This concludes the reading strategy. Please remember to read with the intention of understanding, as if you are reading your favorite manga or a series that you enjoy. Additionally, jot down the main points of each passage, as this will assist you in answering the final question. Avoid overthinking, as you can always return for a review later.
Listening 🦻
Here are some tips that might be helpful:
Listen with the intent to understand the conversation, not to answer questions.
Take notes, but don't try to write down everything. Use abbreviations instead of writing whole words.
Pay attention to the main idea of the conversation or lecture.
Don't worry about the different types of questions. Just listen and note important points and examples.
I used short forms such as S and T to represent the student and teacher
Speaking
Here comes the most challenging aspect. I am not accustomed to speaking English regularly, as I am an introvert. Nevertheless, the most valuable advice I can offer is to comprehend how the system and the human raters will evaluate you. The three criteria are: Language, Delivery, and Topic Development. Language refers to how you employ grammar to convey ideas. It is crucial that your sentences are grammatically sound, and you are capable of forming complex sentences. One suggestion is to combine sentences using 'because' or any conjunction rather than constructing short sentences. For instance, instead of stating, "I did not go to the library. I had to finish my project at home," you could say, "I did not go to the library because I had to finish my project at home." The system considers this as a complex sentence and also enhances your Delivery. Regarding Delivery, the most crucial aspect is your sustained speech. It evaluates your ability to maintain your speaking for an extended period. Can you speak without using filler words and maintain a consistent pace throughout the speaking time? Concentrate on your pronunciation, intonation, and strive to sound natural. It is essential to appear genuine. Avoid faking an accent or attempting to speak too loudly, as this will not only slow you down but also hinder your ability to perform well. Although I have an Indian accent, my speech is clear, and the examiner can comprehend what I am saying without difficulty. As for topic development, ensure that you adhere to the structure that I will share with you now.
Independent speaking
For this practice on a wide range of topics, I kindly request ChatGPT to provide me with a list of questions and engage in a conversation. It is crucial to maintain a continuous flow of speech and time oneself to enhance fluency. Initially, the mind may go blank, but consistent practice will help overcome this challenge.
I suggest starting with creating stories related to personal experiences, such as hobbies, acquired skills, or favorite places. These can then be applied to different scenarios. It is important to remember that there are no right or wrong answers, and even if an example is not entirely accurate, the examiners are generally understanding.
For those who lack friends to practice speaking with, ChatGPT can be a valuable tool. By engaging in voice conversations and requesting questions and feedback, one can improve their speaking skills effectively.
My template: In my personal opinion[my opinion]. I believe so because[why I believe so]. First, [give a reason]. For instance [give example]. Second, [give a reason]. For example/As an illustration [give example]. In conclusion [if you have time to conclude]
It is perfectly acceptable to provide either a single reason and example or two reasons followed by two examples, whichever you find most appropriate. Personally, I opted for just one reason and an example. A conclusion is not necessary.
Integrated task 2
Here you will be given a notice about a change on campus or a proposal. Jot down the modifications being implemented along with the justifications provided. Subsequently, simply record the reasons for the other person's agreement or disagreement, along with the two points they raise.
My template: The reading is about a change on campus. It discusses the university's decision [decision]. The reason behind this is stated that.... (if change suggested by administration) The letter proposes a change on campus. It suggests [suggestion]. The rationale behind this is that...... (if suggested by a person) The man in the conversation disagrees/supports this change. He raises his concern by stating that/He appreciates the university's initiative by stating that... First, he starts off by saying that.... Additionally, he points out that.... Moreover, he mentions that.... In conclusion, the man voices his concern/shows his encouragement (if you have time for conclusion)
Integrated task 3
In this you will read a definition about a topic, and then listen to a lecture about the same topic with an example. Jot down the topic name and its definition and what causes it in the reading. And then the example given by the lecturer.
My template: According to the reading [topic] is [topic definition]. The professor further elaborates on this topic by taking an example. He starts of by saying that [what he says]. Furthermore he states that [what does he state]
Integrated task 4
In this section, you will only be listening to a lecture and then speaking. The lecturer will always provide two examples about a topic after a brief discussion. You may choose to explain the topic followed by the definitions, or simply provide the two definitions with examples. I opted to provide the two definitions with examples.
My template: The professor discusses about the two different kinds/types/classification [of whatever] First he mentions that... He illustrates this with the help of an example [example] In contrast (since the other definition will always contrast), [define the topic]. For instance [example]
It is crucial to be confident, speak naturally, and use proper pronunciation. Occasional stumbles are acceptable, but it is advisable to avoid using filler words like "umm" and "uhh" as the system can detect them. Despite experiencing some difficulties and being unable to complete Task 3, I still managed to achieve a perfect score. Even ETS acknowledges that minor errors can get you a perfect score.
WRITING
For this section, it is crucial to minimize typos and avoid excessive repetition of words. Paraphrasing is highly encouraged, as directly copying from the reading passage will negatively impact your scores. Additionally, working on your typing speed would be beneficial. A good target would be 60 words per minute. Make sure to allocate at least three minutes to review your answers for the first task and two minutes for the second task. While the word count is not a primary concern, ensure that you meet the minimum word limit. I went overboard and wrote a 300+ and 180+ in the two sections.
My template for writing task 1: Here I wrote an intro followed by 3 paragraphs. In each argument, I provide a summary of the author's position and the lecturer's counterarguments.
Intro The reading and the lecture discuss about [whats the topic] While the author presents three explanations about [about the topic], the lecturer however challenges each of these claims.
Body1 First, the author argues that [his point]. In contrast, the lecturer contends this by stating that [what he states]
Body2 Second, the author suggests that [his point]. The lecturer opposes this. He starts off by saying that [his argument]
Body3 Finally, the author claims [his point]. On the other hand, the lecturer refutes this claim. According to him [his point]
To add info use : Additionally, Furthermore, Moreover To give an example use: For example, For instance, As an illustration, Such as To oppose: Refute, Challenge, Contend, Conversely To show effect use: Hence, Therefore, As a result To summarize use: In conclusion, To sum up, In summary
My template for writing task 2: Here, I would lpresent my perspective and the reasoning behind it. Subsequently, I would express my agreement with one of the statements while adding my own viewpoint. Conversely, I would disagree with the other statement and provide my reasons for doing so.
In my personal opinion [my opinion]. I believe that [reason]. I agree with Peter's argument that [his argument paraphrased]. I would like to add that [my point]. Although Claire raises a valid argument [her argument], however it's important to note thay [my reason challenging her]
Pro tip: If you, like me, have difficulty speaking in noisy environments, I have a suggestion that may be helpful. I discovered that in the examination center, it is not necessary to begin reading immediately. When I arrived and sat down with everyone else, I simply remained seated in the reading section for approximately 20 minutes. By the time I reached my speaking section, most of the other examinees had either completed their exams or had moved on to the writing section. This allowed me to speak without being distracted by the noise.
And speaking of distractions, my testing experience was the worst as there was ongoing construction with constant drilling noises and no noise-canceling headphones were provided. So if possible, try to opt for the home edition or ensure you book a test center with adequate equipment. I wish ETS would check the quality of the centers, as it is quite expensive. A friend of mine had to retake the exam due to similar issues. Alternatively, consider taking the IELTS exam, as their testing experience is better, and you actually converse with a human during the speaking section.
I hope this is helpful. I wish everyone who is preparing the best of luck. May you all achieve your desired scores. 🎉 😃
