Creating a study plan is essential for efficient and organized TOEFL preparation. Test takers constantly ask me if I can create one for them, so I finally put one together. You must adjust this to your lifestyle. Here's a suggested study plan for a new TOEFL student, covering all sections of the exam:
Week 1: Familiarization and Diagnostic Test
https://www.amazon.com/Official-Guide-TOEFL-Test-Sixth-ebook/dp/B08BFC2CJ9/ref=sr_1_2?crid=17WOD6GPWWHJ3&keywords=ets+toefl+guide&qid=1685055366&s=digital-text&sprefix=ets+toefl+guid%2Cdigital-text%2C152&sr=1-2
Week 6-7: Writing Section
Week 8-9: Vocabulary and Grammar
When I have a goal (like a book I want to read) I don’t let myself go to sleep until I meet the goal. For example, I read “Hamilton” by Ron Chenow. It’s a REALLY LONG BOOK but my goal was to finish it. So I did not let myself go to sleep until I finished one chapter a night. It took a long time, but I finished that book a year ago and have read many more since. Slow and steady wins the race.
Remember to adapt this study plan to your personal needs and schedule. Since I do not know your schedule or your life, this is general advice. You may have three children and a part-time job, or you may be taking time out of the workforce to prepare. You must adjust accordingly. Allocate more time to sections you find challenging (or need a higher score in—pharmacists, I’m talking to you—we all know about the speaking 26) and ensure you have ample time for regular practice and review.
One last thing. The TOEFL test is not a “crash study” test. I get test-takers who want the “fastest” way to get a score. I think you need to take your time and prepare well in advance. You may have noticed this study plan is not an 8-day miracle plan, right?
Stay motivated, seek additional resources when needed, and utilize practice materials available online or in TOEFL preparation books. Good luck with your TOEFL preparation!
Kathy
Week 1: Familiarization and Diagnostic Test
- Spend the first week getting familiar with the TOEFL exam structure, question types, and timing.
https://www.amazon.com/Official-Guide-TOEFL-Test-Sixth-ebook/dp/B08BFC2CJ9/ref=sr_1_2?crid=17WOD6GPWWHJ3&keywords=ets+toefl+guide&qid=1685055366&s=digital-text&sprefix=ets+toefl+guid%2Cdigital-text%2C152&sr=1-2
- Take a diagnostic test to assess your current proficiency level and identify areas of improvement. You can take one using the website below. It’s $45.95 and cannot be used as an official score; but you can take it anytime. It’s essential before you hire a tutor that you have some scores to share. CHOOSE ANY TEST; it doesn’t matter.
- Review the scoring rubrics and understand how your responses are evaluated.
- During this time, study grammar and vocabulary. You must have good grammar and vocabulary to do well on the TOEFL test, so please do not skip this step.
- Do not watch random YouTube videos. I have met many students who get really confused by the amount of information online. Pick a teacher you like on YouTube and follow him or her. Remember, there is no “right” or “wrong” way to answer independent questions. Every tutor is different, but pick one you like and watch those. Don’t jump around too much.
- Start listening to the Espresso English podcast. Make a goal of listening to several episodes a day.
- Focus on developing your reading and listening skills.
- Study various question types and practice techniques to improve comprehension and time management.
- Honestly, get my book. It will really help you a lot. Here is the link:
- Read newspaper articles, academic passages, and listen to lectures, podcasts, or TED-ed talks. They are on YouTube. What I personally love about TED-ed is the lectures are animated, interesting, and similar topics to the TOEFL.
- Take practice tests regularly to monitor your progress and identify weak areas. TAKING OLD PRACTICE TESTS is the BEST way to get ready for TOEFL.
- Dedicate these weeks to improving your speaking skills. If you have a partner, husband, or wife who speaks English fluently, you MUST insist on speaking English in the home.
- Understand the structure and question types of the speaking section.
- Practice speaking on various topics, using a timer to simulate exam conditions.
- Record your responses and analyze them for clarity, coherence, and fluency.
- Work on pronunciation, intonation, and word stress.
- Seek feedback from a tutor, study partner, or the online TOEFL community.
- Understand how you are being assessed by looking at the rubric. The link is here:
Week 6-7: Writing Section
- Focus on developing your writing skills for the TOEFL. Learn how to write complex sentences, and how to use correct grammar and idioms. Luckily, there is an unlimited amount of information online: when I was young, we had to go to the library to learn about anything. This is a great moment in history for learning a new language. We lived in Canada and had to learn French with very few tools or resources.
- Understand the structure and expectations of the writing section.
- Study different essay types, including integrated and independent essays.
- Practice outlining and organizing your ideas.
- Write essays within the given time frame and seek feedback on grammar, vocabulary, and coherence.
- Study grammar as well. I give my students a grammar tutorial I worked on.
- Review and edit your essays for clarity and effectiveness. Yes, you can use Grammarly. I used it to write my book. Make sure you understand Grammarly’s feedback. I think it’s a good tool.
- Understand how you are being assessed. The link is here:
Week 8-9: Vocabulary and Grammar
- Devote time to improving your vocabulary and grammar skills.
- Learn and practice essential TOEFL vocabulary using flashcards, online resources, or vocabulary-building apps.
- Study common grammar structures and practice using them in context.
- Complete grammar exercises and quizzes to reinforce your understanding.
- Read and listen to English materials to encounter vocabulary and grammar in context.
- Take at least two full-length practice tests to simulate the actual TOEFL exam experience.
- Analyze your performance, identify areas that need improvement, and revise your strategies accordingly.
- Review any weak areas and practice specific question types that you struggled with.
- Focus on time management and maintaining consistency throughout the test.
- Review all sections of the exam, focusing on your weaker areas.
- Practice time management and adapt your strategies based on previous practice test performances.
- Take shorter practice tests or individual section-focused exercises to reinforce your skills.
- Review common TOEFL mistakes and strategies to avoid them. I have a lot of videos about these.
- Stay confident, maintain a healthy study routine, and manage test anxiety. Please check out my blog about test anxiety.
- Continue watching Ted-ed talks and listening to podcasts that interest you.
When I have a goal (like a book I want to read) I don’t let myself go to sleep until I meet the goal. For example, I read “Hamilton” by Ron Chenow. It’s a REALLY LONG BOOK but my goal was to finish it. So I did not let myself go to sleep until I finished one chapter a night. It took a long time, but I finished that book a year ago and have read many more since. Slow and steady wins the race.
Remember to adapt this study plan to your personal needs and schedule. Since I do not know your schedule or your life, this is general advice. You may have three children and a part-time job, or you may be taking time out of the workforce to prepare. You must adjust accordingly. Allocate more time to sections you find challenging (or need a higher score in—pharmacists, I’m talking to you—we all know about the speaking 26) and ensure you have ample time for regular practice and review.
One last thing. The TOEFL test is not a “crash study” test. I get test-takers who want the “fastest” way to get a score. I think you need to take your time and prepare well in advance. You may have noticed this study plan is not an 8-day miracle plan, right?
Stay motivated, seek additional resources when needed, and utilize practice materials available online or in TOEFL preparation books. Good luck with your TOEFL preparation!
Kathy
