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30 Aug 2015, 02:08
Kudos
Bookmarks
I've decided to post my experience at the TOEFL test from yesterday.
I've used the "Complete Guide to the TOEFL Test" by Bruce Rogers and templates and tips from notefull&some other videos. Prepared for a couple of weeks - although not every day.
Test Day
I had to be there at 11:00 AM for the pics and documents & the test wouldn't start until 11:30. I had to wait for 20-30 minutes because I was there too early and the supervisor wouldn't let me in. After the whole procedure, I went to the computer I was designated with and started the test. Approximately everybody (4-5 persons) started at the same time.
The READING section of the test - I found it harder than I expected and also longer (I got an extra paragraph and set of questions) - 56 questions to be precise in 1h20m. I panicked when I realised I wasn't able to answer the first two questions as easier as usual. I spent much time at the beginning and after a while I realised I wouldn't finish on time; so I rushed quite a bit. Luckily, I did finish on time. I didn't give each question much thought - sometimes I used my intuition. I'm not sure how good I did and that's what WORRIES me A LOT!
The LISTENING section was decent. I don't think I made a lot of mistakes - well, hopefully. The only difference between how it went and how I practiced is that the lectures & convos were mixed up in the real test.
ALSO: Initially, I had a bad time listening and taking notes at the same time and didn't do well at practice questions. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Did >50 convos & ~10 lectures from here www(dot)english-test(dot)net/toefl/listening/ and also from the CD that came within the book. When you watch movies, turn off the subtitles or if you can't, rip the movie off the internet and watch it.
BREAK
I ate 2 chocolate wafers; drank some water and had time to use the bathroom. Nothing much to say.
BACK TO WORK
Took a deep breath (actually 2 or 3) and clicked on start.
The SPEAKING section - NIGHTMARE for some people - I was a bit lucky .
I was the second or third one to start the section. The person that sat near me started the section 2-3 seconds before I did. Basically, I had to YELL to cover what he was saying so I could focus - Oh and ETS will find out sooner or later that the mic calibration procedure is pretty much useless. You have a calm and normal voice when calibrating the mic and adapt it (usually RAISE it) within actual speech.
Didn't give many examples as far as I remember @ first 2 questions - because I found them kind of unusual. The rest of them went fine although I finished some of them maybe a bit too quickly - had 10sec remaining @3 question. The other questions went just fine. I recommend NOTEFULL templates for practice & practice in a VERY NOISY ENVIRONMENT. I talked to a person that had als taken the test after we all finished and he said that because of me and some other peeps he wasn't able to understand a thing from what he had to do. I have to admit the conditions are harsh - especially if your sections don't relatively sync with others'.
If you find this section difficult watch ALL the NOTEFULL & EnglishSimpleTV TOEFL videos on youtube. It'll make your life MUCH easier.
The WRITING section - compared to what I practiced with, it was MUCH EASIER especially @first task - it was very easy to identify each of the reasons in the reading and the lecture was clear and well structured. It's recommended to write ~250 words to get a high score. I've written ~320 and had time to re-read it TWICE. The second task was of medium difficulty. It's recommended to write +450 to guarantee >27 (of course not an essay filled with mambo jambo ; good grammar, structure, many EXAMPLES) . I wrote ~530 words.
Again, I'm VERY worried about the READING section. I did neglect it a bit during practice because it didn't find it very difficult.
Overall, I recommend practicing as much as possible at all sections and timing yourself accurately. Also purposely worsen your work environment by turning on your radio, TV (watch CNN, BBC, euronews etc.), PC etc.
My target score is >100 - min required by most US universities. If you have ANY questions please do ask.
I've used the "Complete Guide to the TOEFL Test" by Bruce Rogers and templates and tips from notefull&some other videos. Prepared for a couple of weeks - although not every day.
Test Day
I had to be there at 11:00 AM for the pics and documents & the test wouldn't start until 11:30. I had to wait for 20-30 minutes because I was there too early and the supervisor wouldn't let me in. After the whole procedure, I went to the computer I was designated with and started the test. Approximately everybody (4-5 persons) started at the same time.
The READING section of the test - I found it harder than I expected and also longer (I got an extra paragraph and set of questions) - 56 questions to be precise in 1h20m. I panicked when I realised I wasn't able to answer the first two questions as easier as usual. I spent much time at the beginning and after a while I realised I wouldn't finish on time; so I rushed quite a bit. Luckily, I did finish on time. I didn't give each question much thought - sometimes I used my intuition. I'm not sure how good I did and that's what WORRIES me A LOT!
The LISTENING section was decent. I don't think I made a lot of mistakes - well, hopefully. The only difference between how it went and how I practiced is that the lectures & convos were mixed up in the real test.
ALSO: Initially, I had a bad time listening and taking notes at the same time and didn't do well at practice questions. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Did >50 convos & ~10 lectures from here www(dot)english-test(dot)net/toefl/listening/ and also from the CD that came within the book. When you watch movies, turn off the subtitles or if you can't, rip the movie off the internet and watch it.
BREAK
I ate 2 chocolate wafers; drank some water and had time to use the bathroom. Nothing much to say.
BACK TO WORK
Took a deep breath (actually 2 or 3) and clicked on start.
The SPEAKING section - NIGHTMARE for some people - I was a bit lucky .
I was the second or third one to start the section. The person that sat near me started the section 2-3 seconds before I did. Basically, I had to YELL to cover what he was saying so I could focus - Oh and ETS will find out sooner or later that the mic calibration procedure is pretty much useless. You have a calm and normal voice when calibrating the mic and adapt it (usually RAISE it) within actual speech.
Didn't give many examples as far as I remember @ first 2 questions - because I found them kind of unusual. The rest of them went fine although I finished some of them maybe a bit too quickly - had 10sec remaining @3 question. The other questions went just fine. I recommend NOTEFULL templates for practice & practice in a VERY NOISY ENVIRONMENT. I talked to a person that had als taken the test after we all finished and he said that because of me and some other peeps he wasn't able to understand a thing from what he had to do. I have to admit the conditions are harsh - especially if your sections don't relatively sync with others'.
If you find this section difficult watch ALL the NOTEFULL & EnglishSimpleTV TOEFL videos on youtube. It'll make your life MUCH easier.
The WRITING section - compared to what I practiced with, it was MUCH EASIER especially @first task - it was very easy to identify each of the reasons in the reading and the lecture was clear and well structured. It's recommended to write ~250 words to get a high score. I've written ~320 and had time to re-read it TWICE. The second task was of medium difficulty. It's recommended to write +450 to guarantee >27 (of course not an essay filled with mambo jambo ; good grammar, structure, many EXAMPLES) . I wrote ~530 words.
Again, I'm VERY worried about the READING section. I did neglect it a bit during practice because it didn't find it very difficult.
Overall, I recommend practicing as much as possible at all sections and timing yourself accurately. Also purposely worsen your work environment by turning on your radio, TV (watch CNN, BBC, euronews etc.), PC etc.
My target score is >100 - min required by most US universities. If you have ANY questions please do ask.
04 Sep 2015, 13:38
Kudos
Bookmarks
Got the results earlier than expected:
R 26 (#stressful) ; L 26 (expected) ; S 28 (unexpectedly high) ; W 27 (disappointing)
Total: 107 - I'm ~ satisfied
R 26 (#stressful) ; L 26 (expected) ; S 28 (unexpectedly high) ; W 27 (disappointing)
Total: 107 - I'm ~ satisfied
