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mfr0503
Joined: 03 Feb 2020
Last visit: 18 Mar 2024
Posts: 8
Given Kudos: 24
Location: Indonesia
Schools: HBS '25 (A) Fuqua '25 (A$$$)
GRE 1: Q161 V157
GPA: 3.33
Products:
20 Jun 2020, 10:03
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Hi everyone,
This forum has been very useful with its tips and insights, so it’s time for me to contribute back to the community (and focus on my GMAT
). It’s a super long debrief but I hope you will find it useful. I provide some tips towards the end as well.
My situation
This is my 1st TOEFL iBT test, ever. English is my second language and I’ve never studied abroad. I do have a fairly good understanding of English, though. I speak and write English on daily basis as I work in a multinational company. I was also in my high school debate team so I’ve got used to create argumentative structure. Plus, I journal and write a blog. Please consider this background when you adapt my test strategy to yours.
TOEFL or IELTS?
There are many excellent sources for this already, but my decision was only based on 2 factors:
1. My target schools and scholarship providers either accept both or waive the requirement.
2. I am much more comfortable hearing/speaking in American accent than British/Australian. I didn’t regret my decision at all.
Prep time & materials
Books I used:
1. The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test, Fifth Edition
2. Official TOEFL iBT Test Volume 1
3. Official TOEFL iBT Test Volume 2
Prep time: 9 days in total
2 days to be familiar with the test itself
I did this before I found out my test was rescheduled… then I didn’t study until a week before the actual test. I think it’s important to read the OG entirely (excluding mock tests) and everything on ETS website, so you will know exactly what is being tested. OG still uses the old test format, but this worked perfectly for me. 2020 test format is basically a shorter version of the previous one.
7 days sprint
Woke up at 5.30 AM, started Reading and Listening section at 6 AM, then started working at 8.30 AM. After work, did the Speaking and Writing section starting 8 PM. On some days, I couldn’t get off work so I sometimes did 1 mock in 2 days. I used Saturday to have full 3.5 hours test. I record my voice for the Speaking mock, listened to both the High-Rated and Mid-Rated responses, and compare.
6 mock tests
2 from OG; 1 from Volume 1; 3 from Volume 2. Volume 2 is supposed to be the most recent tests, so I did that more than the others. For the simulation, I do it directly on computer using the CDs provided. If you’re pressed on time/budget, just buy the OG and Volume 2. Last day before test, I still studied. Also watched ETS video on “what to expect during test day”, read what not to bring to the test center: watches, scarves, etc.
Test Center Experience during COVID-19
This is my experience (in an ASEAN country), other countries may vary. Everyone has to wear masks. If not, you can be expelled. Hand sanitizers are provided everywhere, and you are subject to body temp check. There are 2 empty chairs between 1 test taker and another. I took off my mask during Speaking test as I was afraid the voice wouldn’t be clear enough, and the Proctor let me. Do arrive at the test center earlier. My schedule was 8 AM and I arrived at 7.20 AM. The briefing and health check started at 7.30. The real test began at 8.30. So yes, all the new procedures take time. My test was supposed to be in May. 5 days before, I received an e-mail about rescheduled test to June (free of charge) due to closure of test center. Please check your e-mail frequently as ETS may suddenly reschedule according to local regulation.
Timer or no timer?
The test features a timer at the top right corner of the screen. You can choose to hide it if you find it distracting. I personally prefer not to hide it, because I like to pace myself. Sometimes I spend too much time on 1 question if I don’t immediately know the answer, so it’s good to know how much more time I have. Better to guess than not answering the question at all.
Tips for each section
1. Reading (Score: 30/30)
Make reading a habit. Even though my prep time is short, I’ve got used to read lengthy articles in the likes of HBR and The Economist. You can also get your (dusty) college textbooks, read a section, then summarize the points made. All the essays are derived from college textbooks, so it’s good to familiarize yourself with that writing style. During mocks, identify your weak points and focus more on that. My biggest weakness is Vocabulary. If you really don’t know what it means, try to read the whole sentence and guess. Put the a/b/c/d choice to replace the word, and see if the meaning makes sense. Read the entire paragraph and gauge whether the word is in line with the main idea of that paragraph.
Sometimes the text just doesn’t interest you and hard to understand. Try to read this kind of text slowly. I always read/skim the whole text first before jumping to questions, to get an idea of what the overall text is about. I didn’t do this before, and after I did, my score became much better.
The simulation tests in my prep materials only include 3 passages. My real test was 4 passages, 72 minutes. I read in ETS website that Reading can be 3 or 4 passages, so I unfortunately got the more difficult one, haha.
2. Listening (Score: 30/30)
The OG simulation tests differ slightly with the actual test. In OG, the whole Listening section is timed once. In the actual test, the similar questions are grouped into 1 time. For example, there were 2 conversations in which the questions need to be answered in 10 minutes. I initially thought 10 minutes was only for one speaking part. When the second set of questions started and the timer displayed 4 minutes, I freaked out and tried to answer as fast as possible. Now you know what to expect, so don’t freak out like me…
To mentally prepare for the next set of questions after that, I closed my eyes for full 10 seconds, breathe in, breathe out, then continue. I recommend doing this whenever you feel stressed out during the test.
As for the test itself, I try to take notes as much as possible… write it fast! That way you won’t miss any information. Other tips I’ve read is to group your notes into main points and its supporting facts, but it didn’t work for me. Skill-building…. try to listen to podcasts and TED Talks. I do that every time I commute to work (before COVID).
3. Speaking (Score: 27/30)
I think the biggest distraction is because suddenly everyone in the test room starts speaking! Very noisy and annoying. But there’s a benefit as well. If someone speaks on a question before you, you can gauge what the question will be and start crafting your response, giving more time for prep.
I was hoping I could get like 28/29, but I think what contributed to 27 were two factors:
- Not someone who speaks with a natural pace, accent, and intonation like a native.
- There was a question where I kinda read a sentence like 3 seconds from my notes. Avoid this if you can.
The OG really helps me for this section. From the mock tests, I compiled 5 main questions type:
a. Talk about something based on your life experience
To answer this, start from brief background, like “I live in City X…. It is surrounded by mountains”. Then state the specific reasons. “I like living in City X because ….. also….. moreover….”. Don’t forget, this question is to be recorded in 45 seconds. Others are 60 seconds.
b. State the speaker’s opinion and explain her reasons
Include information from both the passage and conversation. “The woman disagrees with X… she disagreed because…. She doesn’t think that…. Contrary to what the university wants to implement…”. You can apply the usual structure of “She disagreed because: One, …. Two…”, but a little variation won’t hurt.
c. Explain what X is and how it is used
Pretty self-explanatory. Explain the definition based on passage. State the supporting evidence based on the professor’s examples.
d. Briefly summarize the problem they were discussing. State which solutions you would choose.
State the problem summary for like 10-15 seconds. Don’t talk about both of the solutions!!! I often make this mistake during mocks, trying to summarize both before stating my preference. Just state which one you choose and elaborate on that. Why? Because you simply won’t have enough time to record a complete response while speaking at a normal pace.
e. Using points from the lecture, explain how…….
For example, something about plants defense mechanism. State that there are 2 different mechanisms, then “Plant A uses …… by… (details)”. “On the other hand, Plant B uses …. by preventing…. (details)”.
Of the 6 mocks I’ve done, they are never other than these 5 types. So you pretty much know what is going to be asked. During the test, try to structure your notes to prepare for these questions. Jot down the points while listening to lectures/conversations, because the 10-15 seconds of prep time is not enough.
4. Writing (Score: 28/30)
I don’t have any other tips than practice, practice, practice. I am fortunate to have the habit of journaling and blogging, so this comes as a breeze. Google “TOEFL writing prompts”. Time yourself exactly 20 or 30 minutes including time to craft the essay structure, depends on the instruction. To develop your essay, I recommend this:
a. “Summarize the points in the lecture. Explain how they correspond to the reading passages”.
Make 2 columns while reading the passage. Column 1: Points made in the passage. Column 2: Corresponding/contrasting points from the lecture. Whenever you hear the lecturers speak, connect it directly into specific point of the passage.
Sample structure: “The lecturer completely refutes the reading passage. She explains three main reasons why she thinks…… First, ….. Second, …. Third, ……”
b. Independent Writing
Sample structure: Brief summary about the topic, then “I strongly agree that… “ “There is a growing evidence that… Other forms of xxx is …. In summary, I think….”
You can google “argumentative essay writing tips” to prepare for this. Based on mocks, I conclude they are always argumentative in nature.
My debate coach used to teach me these simple steps to form an argument: A-R-E-L.
Assertion, Reasoning, Evidence, Link back. I use this a lot in my practices, in every paragraph. First, I crafted the background. Then I state my stance [Assertion]. After that, I provide [Reasoning]. Then I added specific details/examples/comparison [Evidence]. Finally, I close the paragraph with a statement that links everything back to my stance, such as “Thus, I believe that…..”.
So that’s it, thanks for making it this far! I hope this is useful for your preparation. Be confident in your ability and try to improve as much as you can. Good luck!
This forum has been very useful with its tips and insights, so it’s time for me to contribute back to the community (and focus on my GMAT
). It’s a super long debrief but I hope you will find it useful. I provide some tips towards the end as well. My situation
This is my 1st TOEFL iBT test, ever. English is my second language and I’ve never studied abroad. I do have a fairly good understanding of English, though. I speak and write English on daily basis as I work in a multinational company. I was also in my high school debate team so I’ve got used to create argumentative structure. Plus, I journal and write a blog. Please consider this background when you adapt my test strategy to yours.
TOEFL or IELTS?
There are many excellent sources for this already, but my decision was only based on 2 factors:
1. My target schools and scholarship providers either accept both or waive the requirement.
2. I am much more comfortable hearing/speaking in American accent than British/Australian. I didn’t regret my decision at all.
Prep time & materials
Books I used:
1. The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test, Fifth Edition
2. Official TOEFL iBT Test Volume 1
3. Official TOEFL iBT Test Volume 2
Prep time: 9 days in total
2 days to be familiar with the test itself
I did this before I found out my test was rescheduled… then I didn’t study until a week before the actual test. I think it’s important to read the OG entirely (excluding mock tests) and everything on ETS website, so you will know exactly what is being tested. OG still uses the old test format, but this worked perfectly for me. 2020 test format is basically a shorter version of the previous one.
7 days sprint
Woke up at 5.30 AM, started Reading and Listening section at 6 AM, then started working at 8.30 AM. After work, did the Speaking and Writing section starting 8 PM. On some days, I couldn’t get off work so I sometimes did 1 mock in 2 days. I used Saturday to have full 3.5 hours test. I record my voice for the Speaking mock, listened to both the High-Rated and Mid-Rated responses, and compare.
6 mock tests
2 from OG; 1 from Volume 1; 3 from Volume 2. Volume 2 is supposed to be the most recent tests, so I did that more than the others. For the simulation, I do it directly on computer using the CDs provided. If you’re pressed on time/budget, just buy the OG and Volume 2. Last day before test, I still studied. Also watched ETS video on “what to expect during test day”, read what not to bring to the test center: watches, scarves, etc.
Test Center Experience during COVID-19
This is my experience (in an ASEAN country), other countries may vary. Everyone has to wear masks. If not, you can be expelled. Hand sanitizers are provided everywhere, and you are subject to body temp check. There are 2 empty chairs between 1 test taker and another. I took off my mask during Speaking test as I was afraid the voice wouldn’t be clear enough, and the Proctor let me. Do arrive at the test center earlier. My schedule was 8 AM and I arrived at 7.20 AM. The briefing and health check started at 7.30. The real test began at 8.30. So yes, all the new procedures take time. My test was supposed to be in May. 5 days before, I received an e-mail about rescheduled test to June (free of charge) due to closure of test center. Please check your e-mail frequently as ETS may suddenly reschedule according to local regulation.
Timer or no timer?
The test features a timer at the top right corner of the screen. You can choose to hide it if you find it distracting. I personally prefer not to hide it, because I like to pace myself. Sometimes I spend too much time on 1 question if I don’t immediately know the answer, so it’s good to know how much more time I have. Better to guess than not answering the question at all.
Tips for each section
1. Reading (Score: 30/30)
Make reading a habit. Even though my prep time is short, I’ve got used to read lengthy articles in the likes of HBR and The Economist. You can also get your (dusty
) college textbooks, read a section, then summarize the points made. All the essays are derived from college textbooks, so it’s good to familiarize yourself with that writing style. During mocks, identify your weak points and focus more on that. My biggest weakness is Vocabulary. If you really don’t know what it means, try to read the whole sentence and guess. Put the a/b/c/d choice to replace the word, and see if the meaning makes sense. Read the entire paragraph and gauge whether the word is in line with the main idea of that paragraph.Sometimes the text just doesn’t interest you and hard to understand. Try to read this kind of text slowly. I always read/skim the whole text first before jumping to questions, to get an idea of what the overall text is about. I didn’t do this before, and after I did, my score became much better.
The simulation tests in my prep materials only include 3 passages. My real test was 4 passages, 72 minutes. I read in ETS website that Reading can be 3 or 4 passages, so I unfortunately got the more difficult one, haha.
2. Listening (Score: 30/30)
The OG simulation tests differ slightly with the actual test. In OG, the whole Listening section is timed once. In the actual test, the similar questions are grouped into 1 time. For example, there were 2 conversations in which the questions need to be answered in 10 minutes. I initially thought 10 minutes was only for one speaking part. When the second set of questions started and the timer displayed 4 minutes, I freaked out and tried to answer as fast as possible. Now you know what to expect, so don’t freak out like me…
To mentally prepare for the next set of questions after that, I closed my eyes for full 10 seconds, breathe in, breathe out, then continue. I recommend doing this whenever you feel stressed out during the test.
As for the test itself, I try to take notes as much as possible… write it fast! That way you won’t miss any information. Other tips I’ve read is to group your notes into main points and its supporting facts, but it didn’t work for me. Skill-building…. try to listen to podcasts and TED Talks. I do that every time I commute to work (before COVID).
3. Speaking (Score: 27/30)
I think the biggest distraction is because suddenly everyone in the test room starts speaking! Very noisy and annoying. But there’s a benefit as well. If someone speaks on a question before you, you can gauge what the question will be and start crafting your response, giving more time for prep.
I was hoping I could get like 28/29, but I think what contributed to 27 were two factors:
- Not someone who speaks with a natural pace, accent, and intonation like a native.
- There was a question where I kinda read a sentence like 3 seconds from my notes. Avoid this if you can.
The OG really helps me for this section. From the mock tests, I compiled 5 main questions type:
a. Talk about something based on your life experience
To answer this, start from brief background, like “I live in City X…. It is surrounded by mountains”. Then state the specific reasons. “I like living in City X because ….. also….. moreover….”. Don’t forget, this question is to be recorded in 45 seconds. Others are 60 seconds.
b. State the speaker’s opinion and explain her reasons
Include information from both the passage and conversation. “The woman disagrees with X… she disagreed because…. She doesn’t think that…. Contrary to what the university wants to implement…”. You can apply the usual structure of “She disagreed because: One, …. Two…”, but a little variation won’t hurt.
c. Explain what X is and how it is used
Pretty self-explanatory. Explain the definition based on passage. State the supporting evidence based on the professor’s examples.
d. Briefly summarize the problem they were discussing. State which solutions you would choose.
State the problem summary for like 10-15 seconds. Don’t talk about both of the solutions!!! I often make this mistake during mocks, trying to summarize both before stating my preference. Just state which one you choose and elaborate on that. Why? Because you simply won’t have enough time to record a complete response while speaking at a normal pace.
e. Using points from the lecture, explain how…….
For example, something about plants defense mechanism. State that there are 2 different mechanisms, then “Plant A uses …… by… (details)”. “On the other hand, Plant B uses …. by preventing…. (details)”.
Of the 6 mocks I’ve done, they are never other than these 5 types. So you pretty much know what is going to be asked. During the test, try to structure your notes to prepare for these questions. Jot down the points while listening to lectures/conversations, because the 10-15 seconds of prep time is not enough.
4. Writing (Score: 28/30)
I don’t have any other tips than practice, practice, practice. I am fortunate to have the habit of journaling and blogging, so this comes as a breeze. Google “TOEFL writing prompts”. Time yourself exactly 20 or 30 minutes including time to craft the essay structure, depends on the instruction. To develop your essay, I recommend this:
a. “Summarize the points in the lecture. Explain how they correspond to the reading passages”.
Make 2 columns while reading the passage. Column 1: Points made in the passage. Column 2: Corresponding/contrasting points from the lecture. Whenever you hear the lecturers speak, connect it directly into specific point of the passage.
Sample structure: “The lecturer completely refutes the reading passage. She explains three main reasons why she thinks…… First, ….. Second, …. Third, ……”
b. Independent Writing
Sample structure: Brief summary about the topic, then “I strongly agree that… “ “There is a growing evidence that… Other forms of xxx is …. In summary, I think….”
You can google “argumentative essay writing tips” to prepare for this. Based on mocks, I conclude they are always argumentative in nature.
My debate coach used to teach me these simple steps to form an argument: A-R-E-L.
Assertion, Reasoning, Evidence, Link back. I use this a lot in my practices, in every paragraph. First, I crafted the background. Then I state my stance [Assertion]. After that, I provide [Reasoning]. Then I added specific details/examples/comparison [Evidence]. Finally, I close the paragraph with a statement that links everything back to my stance, such as “Thus, I believe that…..”.
So that’s it, thanks for making it this far! I hope this is useful for your preparation. Be confident in your ability and try to improve as much as you can. Good luck!
TheUltimateWinner
Joined: 23 Feb 2015
Last visit: 16 Apr 2026
Posts: 2,465
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 1,990
Concentration: Finance, Technology
Schools: Harvard '24 Judge '23 LBS '24 McCombs '24 Mendoza Tepper '24 Ross '24 Cox Marshall '24 Fisher Kelley '24 Jones McDonough '24 Owen '24 Terry BU Simon '24 Katz GWU Mason Babson Gabelli Foster '24 Goizueta '24 Scheller Stern '23 CBS '23 Booth '23 Haas '25 Wharton '25 Stanford '26 Johnson'23 Fuqua '23 Kellogg '23 Kenan-Flagler'23 INSEAD Aug 22 intake Olin '23 Said '23 Sloan '23 Carey Arizona "22 Yale '23 UC Davis Madison '23 Anderson '23 Carroll Carlson '23 Darden '23
Schools: Harvard '24 Judge '23 LBS '24 McCombs '24 Mendoza Tepper '24 Ross '24 Cox Marshall '24 Fisher Kelley '24 Jones McDonough '24 Owen '24 Terry BU Simon '24 Katz GWU Mason Babson Gabelli Foster '24 Goizueta '24 Scheller Stern '23 CBS '23 Booth '23 Haas '25 Wharton '25 Stanford '26 Johnson'23 Fuqua '23 Kellogg '23 Kenan-Flagler'23 INSEAD Aug 22 intake Olin '23 Said '23 Sloan '23 Carey Arizona "22 Yale '23 UC Davis Madison '23 Anderson '23 Carroll Carlson '23 Darden '23
Posts: 2,465
Kudos:
2,457
20 Jun 2020, 12:55
Kudos
Bookmarks
Thanks for the template!
The video tutorials that help me to much is 'Kenton County ESL' videos.
Giving the link for future TOEFL test takers'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhnsSvAH11A
Please check all section's tutorials from 'Kenton County ESL'.
The video tutorials that help me to much is 'Kenton County ESL' videos.
Giving the link for future TOEFL test takers'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhnsSvAH11A
Please check all section's tutorials from 'Kenton County ESL'.
medag
Joined: 28 Dec 2019
Last visit: 30 Nov 2022
Posts: 21
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 20
Location: Morocco
Schools: Fuqua '23 (II)
GMAT 1: 720 Q48 V42 (Online)
21 Jun 2020, 15:54
Kudos
Bookmarks
Congratulation on this amazing performance.
How long before getting the results?
Posted from my mobile device
How long before getting the results?
Posted from my mobile device
)
