Greetings from Vaidy. I would like to share my TOEFL test strategies. I took TOEFL during September. I went to center with a clear mind and peace, but no preparation. I managed scoring only 94.
I will be taking GRE on November 17, 2010. Please let me know if I should retake TOEFL once again. I am planning to apply for MS in Aerospace engineering or Electrical engineering in Georgia Tech, Fall 11.
TOEFL Strategies
I felt the below things are more important to shine in TOEFL.
- Patience (Since the exam is very lengthy). Also some test centers make you wait for a long. My appointment was scheduled at 10 AM. I kept waiting. I was allotted a system at 12 PM. I lost my patience there. So , please ensure that you don’t lose your focus.
- To improve your English (Listening and speaking), keep watching CNN, BBC, NDTV news channels and listen to cricket commentary. I did this during my schooling. Talk to yourself in English looking at the mirror.
- Try reading Newspaper daily (Word by word, not the headlines alone).
- Whenever you communicate through SMS, Mail etc try to use English professionally. ( Avoid using U instead of you, what doing instead of what are you doing).
- One cannot develop English all of the sudden. Its a gradual progress. Since I was in CBSE school (English medium), It was little easy for me. I also did many presentations, seminars and promo events. That helped me a lot.
- Take a practice test before you schedule a date and see where you stand. (Which I didn’t do).
- Speaking section requires clarity and projection of your view. You don’t have to be bombastic with your words.
- Be confident and dream a lot. Sometime this works out. Bring all your positive energies to your thoughts and it will make you succeed.
- Read TOEFL Study Guide for more TOEFL Strategies.
Lessons learned: TOEFL Test
- Never take anything light though it may be easy. Nobody knows how things will change. We could see Bangladesh wrapping up the ODI series against New Zealand which nobody expected.
- Never lose your focus and calmness which plays an important role in your scoring.
I am now preparing for GRE. I am using following GRE books
- Nova for Maths
- Barrons/Nova for Verbal
I got Q 700, V340 in my first practice test. I have only 20 days to go. Please do suggest me some tips to score 1200. My strength has always been Quants. Q800 +V400 is possible but I am not able to attain the perfection in Quants.
My acclauds to HSB.
Note – 94 in TOEFL is good scoe, you don’t need to re-take TOEFL. Also, test strategies you have listed is very useful. Thanks for sharing with HSB readers. Since Vaidy shared his TOEFL experience, I gave a free review of his Statement of Purpose.
There is no short cut to raise your GRE score in 20 days. Try your best, increase your practice tests and spend more time learning strategies for Verbal section.
sir please let me when can i retake the toefl test .i took my test on sunday jan13 …i have confusion regarding the retake policy which says 21 days…can i take it on feb 03 or should i take it on feb 16?
Hi Madhav,
Yes the TOEFL test can be retaken once in a 21 day period. Thus you can retake the test on 3rd Feb. as you complete the 21 day span on 2nd of Feb.
Good Luck!
I am giving my GRE exam in the first week of nov 2012 and just after 13 to 15 days i m planning to appear for TOEFL exam also…so i just wanted to know that whether this 10 to 15 days will be sufficient for the preparation of TOEFL exam???And even i wanted to know… before how many days or months i should book my TOEFL exam date???????I mean ,as in the case of GRE it is generally required to book the date for the exam 2 months before n so….but is it the same case with the TOEFL exam also or i can even book the date just before 1 week??????????
Hello there everyone . I have a question to ask you guys . I am giving GRE Exam on 25th of July . After that I am giving TOEFL exam on 28th . Will i be able to prepare in 2 days ?? Will the preparation for GRE help me in TOEFL ?
P.S: My English level at the moment is above average .
Hi, Mitesh.
I am going to give TOEFL on September 28 and I am not confident in speaking and writing section. What should I do to score better in these sections. Please help me, Mitesh
Hai…am New to these Tests and have little Idea ……Can U suggets me the Books and CD’s for TOEFL to get best score….!
I Need the process of study in a Particular manner for one month preparation , as am Not fluent in english and hardly have less time for preparation .
Suggest me the books which can helpul to get good score