Hi all,
Just wanted to share my experience with TOEFL
so here it goes
Already late with my GMAT prep and struggling with applications with R2 deadlines just a few weeks away, i decided to take the TOEFL. The reason was simple - 1. I am a non-native and most colleges ask for it. 2. Getting a letter from college every time i was applying seemed too much of a pain.
I booked the slot on 5th December for 13th thinking that a week of prep would suffice. But the procrastinator i am
didn't study or even look at the format till 11th. On 11th afternoon i opened up the TOEFL registration site & downloaded the sample free material provided there. There is a post on GMAT club, which was my only other resource apart from TOEFL Sampler -
https://gmatclub.com/forum/toefl-100-prepared-for-2-days-147099.htmlUnderstood the basic format of the paper on 11th, applied for the 4 colleges and called it a day.
On 12th i started panicking. Finally thought, what the hell its TOEFL not the end of world. So, lets do it
After going through the sample paper by TOEFL i knew being a non-native my biggest hurdles would be Speaking section (and to some bit the writing section too!!!
)
So, i focused around 90% of my day on these 2 sections. Went through the videos given in the link above carefully. Carefully memorizing the format and taking notes. By 5 pm i was done with the speaking & writing section. Gave the TOEFL sampler to get a better idea. Mind you i had not practiced these 2 sections yet, just the format and strategy were in place. In the evening downloaded a 3-4 questions from speaking section and practiced once with a timer, mobile recorder etc
Finally before before going to sleep went through the entire TOEFL format and strategy twice, mentally making a note of what kind of questions, what is asked and what i will do.
Then repeated the entire process once again in the morning
The paper went like a breeze, lots of time during reading section. Listening went fast, speaking section faster... Writing portion went well. And its done
Overall, i am having a good feeling about the paper
keeping fingers crossed, hoping for the best and waiting for score
My suggestions for others -
1. Understand the format and prepare a mental strategy. Its more important than practicing 100's of questions without a plan of action.
2. Its a standardized test, there is a format to tackle each section, which actually guarantees highest scores for each section.
3. Go through the videos given in the link above, i guess it is from some TOEFL prep site notefull or something. It is really helpful and has a lot of tips. Follow it religiously.
4. Give sometime to speaking section, mine went okish but with 2-3 days of proper practice for say 30-40 mins, it could have gone a lot better. Lots of fillers in mine
5. If you have time left after Reading section, review!!! i was able to correct 3 questions.
6. Writing section - Write a lot! 450-500 words for max possible score.
7. Take something to eat during the break. It will boost you up for the next 2 hours.
8. At my center a lot of folks were speaking when i was writing and vice-versa. There is nothing you can do about it so don't let it bother you. Maybe keep your headphones up all the time. I wear specs so it was uncomfortable for me to wear it all the time.
9. Don't worry!!! Don't panic (even if your mic is unable to recognize your voice
) !!! It's just a test. Just keep your strategy in place
you will rock it
Best of luck !!!
PS- i will update once i get the score
UPDATE - TOEFL 113
see below for breakup!