The English language proficiency test TOEFL is highly recommended for students willing to study abroad. As the test score is accepted by more than 11,500 universities abroad. Recently, this popular test has introduced certain changes which will also affect the preparation time and strategy for TOEFL.
The test is divided into four sections Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking, to test the comfort of students in the language. All these sections now have to be completed within 1 hour 56 minutes. Subsequently, the number of tasks and questions has also been reduced along with the test duration.
Therefore, you should have your TOEFL exam preparation 2 to 3 months before the test. However, you can also keep up with the preparation for TOEFL in one month with the help of a writing strategy and study plan. Through this blog, you will get to know how to prepare for TOEFL in 1 month.
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Also Read: TOEFL Exam 2023: Latest Updates, Format, Registration Process
1 Month Study Plan for TOEFL Preparation
The TOEFL exam pattern is a bit different from other proficiency tests like IELTS and PTE. In this language assessment test, you need to appear first in the Reading and Listening Section. Then after a short break of 10 minutes, you need to continue with the Speaking and Writing sections.
Therefore, make sure to keep your TOEFL exam preparation for all four sections together to get the most out of your practice sessions.
Section 1: Reading Section Study Planner
There will be 2 passages in the TOEFL Reading section that needs to be attempted within 35 minutes. Hence, take a look at the study planner below to prepare for the examination with efficiency.
Study Planner for Reading Section | |
Week 1 | Familiarize yourself with the TOEFL reading section format and the types of questions asked. Practice reading academic texts and articles from reputable sources such as The New York Times, The Economist, and Scientific American. Take notes while reading to improve comprehension and retention. Do not forget to take a diagnostic test to identify your strengths and weaknesses. |
Week 2 | Continue practising with TOEFL reading practice tests. Review strategies for answering different types of questions such as inference, main idea, and detail questions. Analyse your mistakes and identify areas for improvement. |
Week 3 | Focus on building vocabulary by learning new words and their usage in context. Practice speed reading techniques to improve efficiency. Take timed practice tests to simulate real exam conditions. |
Week 4 | Review all the strategies and techniques learned in the previous weeks. Focus on areas that need improvement and continue practising with TOEFL practice tests. |
Section 2: Listening Section Study Planner
The listening section of TOEFL spans 36 minutes in which you need to listen to a few recordings and answer questions based on the recorded conversation. Check the table below for a 1-month study schedule of TOEFL listening section preparation.
Study Planner for Listening Section | |
Week 1 | Get acquainted with the TOEFL Listening section format and the types of content. Listen to podcasts, news broadcasts, and lectures to improve your listening skills. Bring into practice the habit of short-hand note-making while listening to improve comprehension and retention. |
Week 2 | To get ready for being adapted to native accents on the TOEFL exam, practice listening to speakers with various accents and speaking styles. Go over the TOEFL exam preparation strategies to use when responding to various types of questions. Examine your errors to find areas that need improvement. |
Week 3 | Focus on understanding the context of the TOEFL listening section and find out skills you need to add on to ace the section. Download numerous TOEFL listening audio samples and practice the clarity of speech. Take timed practice tests to simulate real exam conditions. |
Week 4 | Go over every tactic and strategy you learnt in the previous weeks. Continue practising with TOEFL practice tests while concentrating on areas that require improvement. |
Section 3: Speaking Section Study Planner
The TOEFL speaking section requires you to attempt 4 tasks in 16 minutes. Make sure to refer to the table below while preparing for the examination.
Study Planner for Speaking Section | |
Week 1 | The TOEFL speaking section is quite different from the IELTS speaking test. Your responses on the TOEFL exam will be recorded, without any direct face-to-face interaction between you and the examiner. Practice speaking on a variety of topics and record yourself to identify areas for improvement. Review the scoring criteria for the speaking section. |
Week 2 | Complete the whole TOEFL speaking section preparation altogether. Make a habit of keeping notes in each practice session for clarity while speaking for the test. |
Week 3 | Focus on building vocabulary by learning new words and their usage in context. Repeat the cycle of practising speaking on new topics within the given time limit. Take timed practice tests to simulate real exam conditions. |
Week 4 | Keep the final week wrapping up your revision. Appear in as many TOEFL sample tests as possible to evaluate your preparation so far. If you have prepared study material or notes for TOEFL exam preparation then revise it. |
Section 4: Writing Section Study Planner
Follow through the TOEFL study planner given below to be well-prepared for the writing section. This section includes only 2 tasks to be completed within 29 minutes.
Study Planner for Writing Section | |
Week 1 | Familiarize yourself with the TOEFL writing section format and important aspects to keep in mind while preparing for the exam. Practice writing essays on a variety of topics within the given time limit. Learn the marking criteria for the TOEFL writing section. |
Week 2 | Focus on developing a clear thesis statement and supporting it with relevant examples and evidence. Practice organizing your ideas logically and coherently. Analyse your mistakes and identify areas for improvement in the remaining TOEFL practice session. |
Week 3 | Take time to revise grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary daily. Make sure to appear in at least 2 TOEFL mock tests one week before the examination. Revise areas of the writing section that needs more practice. |
Week 4 | Continue with appearing in as many mock tests as possible. Read more essays and your notes prepared while TOEFL writing section practice. Avoid learning from any new study material at the last moment. |
Also Read: TOEFL Sample Speaking Questions
FAQs
On average, you should dedicate at least 2 to 3 months to cover each section while preparing for the TOEFL test. However, you can also achieve a good exam score within a time limit of 1 month.
A score above 115 or more than 90% is considered a good TOEFL score.
When it comes to analysing the difficulty level of TOEFL, then the reading and writing sections of the TOEFL exam are considered the easiest ones.
Hopefully, the TOEFL exam preparation within 1 month discussed in this blog has been a catalyst for your learning and helped you improve your speaking skills for the exam.
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