The strategy of TOEFL iBT (Shared by Rajeev Sagi) SCORED 116
I gave my TOEFL on 12-11-2017. My test location was Kolkata, India. I got my results on 22nd of November. Reading and Listening- 30. Speaking and Writing 28 each. Total of -116.
I got to say, I did not expect this score. I got 4 reading passages, 6 listening bits, and the standard speaking and writing tasks. I had prepared for 10 days for the exam and I will share my plan here.
Before that I want to give a background. I am fairly good with reading, as I read a lot of Non-Fiction books and editorials from newspapers. My Listening is also at a decent level, as I watch a lot of English movies and Series. I also write fairly decently in English. Speaking was my main area of concern.
Reading: Follow the official guide to TOEFL- 4th edition, it explains the type of questions you can expect in the test and the possible ways to answer it. Thats the only guide you need. Then test yourself with sample tests. Once you are done with your sample test, check where you went wrong. This is a great way of learning.
On the actual test, I did not take any notes for the reading section. My strategy was to allot 18 mins for each reading passage. In that time I spent around 4-5 minutes to read the passage understand it. Then I spent around 1 minute on each question. If I was unsure about the answer, I made a note of the question number on my scratch paper to visit it later.
The reason for not spending the entire 20 minutes is if there were any hard passage, I might need a little extra time there.
Listening: For the listening section also the official guide has the types of questions asked and how to answer them. My strategy was to make notes extensively for this section. It helped in answering the questions. Here also keep an eye on the time. You have 14 minutes for each set. There are 2 sets. Each set has one conversation and 2 lectures.
Speaking: As said by everyone Notefull videos are a great guide for this section. I personally would say do not follow them as it is. Use them as a guide and improvise upon it. His template works for the first 2 questions, but for the rest modify based on the question being asked. One more problem at the actual exam is that, you will be distracted by the voices from everywhere, hence you have to practice to be patient in the noise.
Speak clearly, adhere to the time and pace yourself, and answer to the point. Make proper notes of the lectures and reading bits.
Writing: In the first task divide the scratch paper into two, on one side make notes from the passage and on the opposite side, make notes from the lecture that you hear. This will help in answering the question better.
In the second task try to structure your essay. I wrote 4 Paragraphs and about 550 words. Have a beginning, expand your idea and lastly conclude.
Books Used:
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