One-Week TOEFL Study Plan: Maximize Your Score in 7 Days
A comprehensive day-by-day guide to prepare for the TOEFL test in just one week.
Can You Really Prepare for TOEFL in Just One Week?
Welcome to our new guide where we talk about tips and tricks you need to ace the TOEFL test! My name is Anastasia, I scored 119 on the TOEFL and have been helping students from all over the world prepare for this exam for more than 10 years now. If you're planning to take the TOEFL test in a week or so, this article is for you.
The good news is that you're lucky to be taking the test now because in July 2023, the TOEFL was significantly shortened to make it easier to take and will now take less than 2 hours to complete.
While one week isn't a lot of time, it's definitely possible to significantly improve your TOEFL score with focused, strategic preparation. This article will provide you with a day-by-day study plan and essential tips for each section of the test to help you maximize your score in just seven days.
Remember, the key to success with limited preparation time is to focus on understanding the test format, learning effective strategies for each section, and practicing under test-like conditions. Let's get started!
Step 1: Understanding the TOEFL Format
The first thing to do with any language test is to understand its format. The TOEFL consists of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
Reading Section
- 2 academic passages
- 10 questions per passage
- 35 minutes total
Listening Section
- 3 lectures (3-5 minutes each)
- 2 conversations (about 3 minutes each)
- 6 questions per lecture
- 5 questions per conversation
- 36 minutes total
Speaking Section
- 4 tasks total
- 15-30 seconds to prepare for each task
- 45-60 seconds to speak for each task
- 16 minutes total
Writing Section
- Integrated Writing Task: 20 minutes
- Writing for an Academic Discussion: 10 minutes
- 30 minutes total
Step 2: Take a Diagnostic TOEFL Test
Your second step is to take a diagnostic TOEFL test to identify your strengths and weaknesses. You can take the free TOEFL practice test available on the ETS website. After taking the test, you'll know what your current level is and which areas need improvement.
Record your results in a spreadsheet and add new scores as you practice so you can track your progress. This will help you focus your limited preparation time on the areas that need the most improvement.
Pro Tip: If you don't have time to take a full practice test, at least do one section from each of the four parts of the TOEFL to get a sense of your strengths and weaknesses.
Step 3: Your 7-Day TOEFL Study Plan
The third step is to create a study plan. You should develop your daily study plan based on your weakest section, but here's an example of how your preparation could be organized:
Days 1-2: Reading Section
- Study the question types (factual information, inference, vocabulary, etc.)
- Complete at least six reading sections
- Analyze your mistakes and identify patterns
- Practice time management (about 17-18 minutes per passage)
Day 3: Listening Section
- Complete 5-6 listening sections
- Practice note-taking on a whiteboard (if taking the test at home) or on paper (if at a test center)
- Listen to each recording multiple times after completing the questions
- Study the transcripts to understand what information was necessary for answering questions
Days 4-5: Writing Section
- Day 4: Focus on the Integrated Writing Task
- Practice summarizing reading passages and lectures
- Learn and apply templates for the integrated essay
- Day 5: Focus on the Writing for an Academic Discussion Task
- Practice answering different types of prompt questions
- Review grammar points that are challenging for you
Days 6-7: Speaking Section
- Find complete TOEFL speaking sections on YouTube
- Practice all four speaking tasks multiple times
- Record yourself and evaluate your responses
- Learn and apply templates for each speaking task
- Take a full mock test on Day 7 to simulate test day conditions
Important: Always analyze your mistakes after each practice session. Many students forget to do this, but it's a very effective way to improve your score.
Finding Preparation Materials and Resources
After you complete the free practice test on the ETS website, you will need to find resources with many full-length tests. Here are several resources you can use:
Official TOEFL Materials
There are many practice tests on the ETS website that you can use for accurate preparation. These are the most reliable resources as they come directly from the test makers.
Free Prep Platforms
Platforms like LinguaTOEFL offer a 3-day trial version, allowing you to experience realistic TOEFL practice tests in test-like conditions.
Vocabulary Books
There are many vocabulary books available, but top picks include Barron's Essential Words for the TOEFL and 400 Must-Have Words for the TOEFL.
Using a mix of these resources will give you a well-rounded preparation experience. Focus on official materials when possible, as they most accurately reflect the actual test.
Essential Tips for Each TOEFL Section
Reading Section Tips
Don't read the entire passage first
Limited time is the main problem of this section, so don't waste time reading the passage. Instead, just read the heading to get an idea of what the passage is about and go straight to the first question.
Study question types
You may consider yourself a good reader and you may even understand every single word of the passage, but that does not mean you're going to get 30 out of 30 in the reading section. The TOEFL is a "test for robots," which means that if you know the strategy and use it calmly without rushing or panicking, you will most likely get a high score even if your level of English is not super high.
Example: Insert Text Question Strategy
For "insert text" questions, use the general-to-specific strategy:
- Read the sentence you need to insert and determine if it's general or specific
- Look for a general statement about the topic in the paragraph
- The sentence to insert usually follows a general introduction of a concept
- Check if the following sentence continues with the same topic
Listening Section Tips
Practice active listening
In the listening section, you will first have to listen to a conversation or lecture for 3-5 minutes and then answer the questions. You will not get a chance to listen to the recordings again, so you will have to rely on your memory. Many test-takers get distracted while listening because they are not used to concentrating for long periods of time and lose track of the recording.
Work on your note-taking skills
I can't stress enough how important note-taking is on the TOEFL. If you don't know how to organize your notes, your scores will be inconsistent, so you might get a 28 on one attempt and a 23 on another. For conversations, organize your notes in two columns—one column for one speaker, another column for another speaker. For lectures, organize your notes in blocks and write down key points, not individual words.
Speaking Section Tips
Use templates for each question
In the speaking section, be sure to use templates for each question. This will help you organize your time, ensure you don't panic, and know exactly what to say. Speaking under time pressure can be challenging, so having effective templates in front of you will really help.
Practice Type 1 questions extensively
Do at least 10-15 Type 1 questions before the test to make sure you have enough practice and can come up with clear reasons and examples in the 15 seconds you have to prepare.
Include details from the listening section
For questions 2, 3, and 4, remember to bring in as much detail from the listening section as possible. For questions 2 and 3, you should spend about 15 seconds of your answer summarizing the reading and then spend the rest of the time summarizing the listening.
Writing Section Tips
Focus on organization for the integrated essay
The integrated essay tests your ability to understand academic texts and lectures and then to present information logically in the form of an essay. Therefore, you should focus on organizing your essay in a clear and understandable manner. Imagine that the person who will be reading your essay has never read the text or heard the lecture you're writing about.
Proofread your academic discussion essay
The Writing for an Academic Discussion essay is more about your writing skills and reasoning. For this assignment, you have to write a small paragraph of about 150 words in 10 minutes. Make sure that you proofread carefully what you wrote to catch grammar and vocabulary mistakes. Also, try to use some idiomatic vocabulary to showcase your language skills.
Day Before the Test: Final Preparation
Don't forget to take a mock test about a day before the exam. On this day, you will simulate test day conditions by taking a full-length practice test. This will give you an idea of what to expect on the day of the test and help you feel prepared. You will also identify areas that may need a final review.
Most importantly, remember that although the TOEFL may seem intimidating and challenging at first, it's nothing more than a regular test that can become very easy once you know how to approach it. So on the day of the test, make sure you stay focused but don't panic, and try to do your best.
Test Day Checklist
Get a good night's sleep
Being well-rested will help you stay focused during the test.
Eat a nutritious meal
Avoid heavy foods that might make you feel sluggish.
Arrive early or set up your testing space
If taking the test at home, ensure your space is quiet and your internet connection is stable.
Have your identification ready
Make sure your ID matches the name you registered with.
Bring a bottle of water
Stay hydrated during the test, especially if you're taking it at a test center.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your One-Week Preparation
When preparing for the TOEFL in just one week, it's easy to make mistakes that can hinder your performance. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:
Trying to improve your overall English level
Focus on test strategies instead of trying to improve your general English skills in just one week.
Not analyzing your mistakes
Always review what went wrong and why to avoid repeating the same errors.
Neglecting to use templates
Templates provide structure and organization, especially for the speaking and writing sections.
Overworking yourself
Make sure to take breaks and get enough rest, especially the day before the test.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for the TOEFL in one week is undoubtedly a challenging task, but with the right approach, it's entirely possible to significantly improve your score. By understanding the test format, focusing on effective strategies for each section, and practicing under test-like conditions, you can maximize your performance even with limited preparation time.
Remember, the key to success is not just about how much you study, but how effectively you study. Focus on understanding the test mechanics and applying the right strategies rather than trying to improve your overall English level in just one week.
I wish you the best of luck on your test day! Remember to stay focused and confident, and use your preparation as effectively as possible. You've got this!
Share your TOEFL preparation stories in the comments below and tell us how long it took you to prepare for the test and what score you got. We'd love to hear about your experience!
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