TOEFL iBT Experience – Score 108
TOEFL Test Taking Experience – Shared by Karthick
I got a TOEFL score of 108.
- Reading-30
- Listening-29
- Speaking-24
- Writing-25
TOEFL Preparation – To be true, I didn’t prepare much for TOEFL.
- List of TOEFL Testing Experience
Reading Section
I did some practice exercises in Barron’s TOEFL 12th edition. There were 6 Model Tests, but I did only 2-3, as I found Reading exercises to be easy. I found that I got nearly all right and I was confident of getting above 28. Reading passages won’t be very tough. It will have the same standard as that of a good English Newspaper.
Listening Section
Again I did some practice exercises from Barron’s book. Again I found it easy. One of the main reasons is that I am an avid viewer of English movies. I watch lot of classic movies and drama genres. These movies contain more conversations and are quite realistic. Use headphones while watching as it will improve the clarity of listening. Initially I used subtitles to assist, but later turned them off.
Speaking Section
I thought speaking was my big problem. I generally don’t have the confidence to speak and I am afraid of my pronunciation. Started to practice 3 days before the test. Googled and found out the TOEFL topics and got video guides in You Tube. My suggestion is to go with the standard patterns suggested. Quantity of speech is not important, but the quality is important.
Writing Section
I never practiced for writing section. I am a blogger and have written more than 100 posts over the past 2 years. So I was confident of the section. Yet, I got 25 only (a bit low). I read the sample iBT writing given in TOEFL official guide and used them. I followed the standard paragraph construction.
TOEFL Test Center Experience
The center was neither too good nor too bad. I went in by 9.15 am and a few other students were already there. We were taken inside a room, where the TOEFL exam guide video was playing again and again. After some half an hour the instructor came and called one by one. I went in 4th (out of 7) by 10.10 am
The reading section was the first and initially they ask us to adjust the microphone and headphone settings. Initially there was some hindrance as others came and settled down. So, after the nervous start the section went well. Finished reading 15 minutes before allotted time.
Listening had experimental section. So, it was tiring and I got a feeling of finishing it soon. It went well and I was the first person to take break.
Taking break first is a big advantage. After break I went in and started the speaking section. My throat was dry and drank water before going. I was nervous and spoke poorly in the 1st topic. Naturally, my 1st part score was less. But then I got confidence and improved dramatically towards the end.
When I was in the 6th topic only, another person started his 1st topic. So, I had complete freedom. After that everyone started speaking and it was quite confusing. keep the mic close to your mouth and when system asks you to speak for testing, speak with the same clarity and loudness as you will speak during the actual session.
Then I started writing. Writing was easy. Again I finished quickly due to my practice with blogging. If you not a good typer of keyboard please practice it.
On the whole, I was excited with the score and if you are comfortable with the basic English Language, then there will be no problem.
Thanks for posting the videos Karthick!!! 🙂 I feel much better after watching Joseph’s videos for the speaking section…
Hi
where are those videos, my friend?
I really need them
thanks
Hi ALL,
I have tofel in december, not yet started preparing more worried .if any one has materials or links to prepare online (practise test).Thank you to karthick for sharing the links.Please help ALL.
Wow…Congrats…
Same story here…Only had a prep of 5 days, Prior to the test..And scored 103.
Being of a community that does not care the pronunciation,grammar,clarity or accent; i was more concerned on the speaking section. I went through the format only two days before the test, when i discovered a speaking section..lol.
Like mentioned i watch a lot of English movies so listening was not a problem.I also lacked a good base in Writing.Examples on Speaking and writing responses helped me a lot..
My specific scores are:
Reading : 29
Listening: 24
Speaking : 28
Writing : 22
Well i hope i had proper training with writing…as some top institutes ask for a 23 individually in each section.
Hope this eases the tension for some…
congrats… i think other than writing all others r good for u…
it won’t be a great problem… just 1 less… most universities would not mind…
Congratulations for ur success da!!!!!11
thanks… great to see u here…
i got 110 in toefl, my test was on sunday, and i started studying for it from friday. spent friday trying to figure out the toefl format, got the old format from google and practised tht 😀 but then downloaded the kaplan toefl ibt and practised tht 🙂
reading writing listening went ok, but in speaking i had a little difficulty as the other test takers were speaking too loud and instead on focusing on my own test my mind wandered away listening to them and comparing myslef with them…. so i ended up doing a lot of ahh errr sorryy in the listeing section. so guys my tip : if someone is speaking too loud, either let the staff know, or dont let ur mind loose the focus. best of luck!
i saw the following videos in youtube… it helped me…
Q.1-2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K682Oune_YM
Q.3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-n_nOBDLd4&feature=related
Q.4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMUWevT3o8A&feature=related
Q.5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2dU1JqlWS0&feature=related
Q.6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf3yr-EoUQI&feature=related
Thanks a lot for your share…..
I got 109 with 29 in speaking…I think before u take the actual test just do a mock speaking section from a mock test…u can hear yourself once done.. it will help you understand where and how you can improve…
Use the topics from the TOEFL prep test available at the ETS TOEFL website and record your voice using a microphone. Playback and look out for the grammar/diction mistakes and ways to improve.
If you have some more time, invest time in the The Barron’s book for TOEFL.
yes… this is a very good one… i did this and was highly benefited… when i was free i recorded in mobile phone and I was able to improve…
Nice Job done……………..Congratulation…….
thanks…
Congratulations 🙂 I really think the importance of reaching early should be emphasized more! Because it makes such a world of difference to be able to finish your speaking tasks before everyone else starts, and it makes for much less distraction overall because you can spend less time concentrating on what others are speaking and more time on your test.
thanks… yes, reaching early is important…
in my case, everyone started at nearly the same time. even if we reached early, we were asked to wait.
so, please enquire about the test center before u book the slot.