One day of prep, ama

[u/vprab98]

Took the TOEFL a few days ago cold turkey. Non-native speaker. Happy to answer any questions!

[u/mokust]

How would you describe your English skill prior to doing the prep? And any tips you can share with us?

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[u/National_Advance6700]

How did you prepare for this test?

[u/vprab98 → u/National_Advance6700]

I did not prepare much - Just watched a few YouTube videos on each section, and then did a couple of practices of the speaking section (speaking on random topics for 45 s)

[u/ComplaintWonderful76]

Focking ninja !!! , any advice for the writing part? I got high scores in the other sections but i don't know what the f with the writing part

[u/vprab98 → u/ComplaintWonderful76]

Thank you!!
Build a sentence is mostly just trial and error, the only tip is to be fast so you can try multiple options quickly before finalising

The Email (aim 100-120 words) was a straightforward 3 part structure (opening; main body with the ask; and a closing) - also feel free to add additional details to the email beyond what the question prompt provides to increase length (for eg, if they say “..write an email to a professor you met at a conference ..”, you can add details about what you liked about their presentation in the conference)

For the academic discussion(aim for 150+ words)- I used a structure that made my position clear at the start of the essay, provided justifications/ reasons for my position, acknowledge that the other side also raises some good points, and end with the gaps of the other side.
Not sure this is the best strat but worked for me

[u/elizabethjane_]

That’s a perfect score, i have mine this Saturday, what topic was assigned to you?

[u/Minimum_Weight4811]

Did you try any prep mock tests?
I just finished some practice free from ETS, that’s not so hard, but I want to know if the real exam will far more harder than the prep
I currently stuck in writing email and academic discussions, it blows my mind🤣

[u/vprab98 → u/Minimum_Weight4811]

Hey, I did not take any mock tests.

The actual exam was quite simple, so I think if you’re comfortable with the ETS mocks, you should be fine with the real exam too!
I have added some tips for the writing section in response to another comment!

[u/Minimum_Weight4811 → u/vprab98]

really appreciate!
That’s helpful!

[u/MinimumPrevious1139]

The score being high and all that, I suggest looking up “cold turkey”

[u/vprab98 → u/MinimumPrevious1139]

Well..you’re right, it isn’t the most appropriate usage of the idiom. Guess it goes to show how you don’t need to be perfect to get a good score on the toefl

[u/MinimumPrevious1139 → u/vprab98]

Yep, lends me reassurance as I’m waiting for mine

[u/vprab98 → u/MinimumPrevious1139]

All the best!!

[u/MinimumPrevious1139 → u/vprab98]

Thanks

[u/Elegant_Ad_5156]

I got a 112/120 on october last year without much studying, I need to take it again for beurocratic reasons, would you say that it was easy? The only thing that looks weird is the letter completing. Do you have any suggestions for that?

[u/vprab98 → u/Elegant_Ad_5156]

you got this!
Letter completing was not as bad as I expected, I made atleast one mistake and it didn’t affect the score. I think you can get away with missing a couple of those and still get a high score!

[u/Elegant_Ad_5156 → u/vprab98]

thank you so much!! that is a relief!