TOEFL Exam Preparation in 10 Days: A Quick Guide

There is no doubt that TOEFL is the most reputed English eligibility test for admission procedure and it could turn out to be a nightmare if the candidate needs to prepare. However, following the right strategies can help you excel in the exam so this article will showcase certain ways to excel in TOEFL exam preparation in 10 days. You might wonder its possibility but aggressive and focused TOEFL preparation in 10 days can lead you to the success door of your dream university.

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1. TOEFL Exam Preparation in 10 Days: A Quick Guide
2. How to prepare for TOEFL in 10 days?
3. TOEFL preparation in 10 days: An overview
4. TOEFL preparation tips
5. TOEFL test day tips
6. TOEFL preparation eBooks

TOEFL Exam Preparation in 10 Days: A Quick Guide

Here are some tips designed for non-native English speakers to effectively prepare in the shortest period of 10 days:

Exam pattern and your weakness

The very initial step is to have proper knowledge about the exam pattern and the kind of questions that would be asked in each module of TOEFL exam - reading, writing, listening, and speaking so the moment you decide to start preparing you should first give a full attempt to anyone TOEFL practice test available online. This will not just help you understand the exact pattern but also the problem areas you need to work on, the vocabulary you need to gain, and also the time you need to manage to complete the test effectively.

Selecting the difficult module

After completing the first practice test, you will be able to analyze the most difficult module and the specific questions that took a lot of time to answer. Hence, the difficult part should be first preferred in your TOEFL exam preparation in 10 days.

Time management

As you have analysed your difficulties, prepare a day-wise plan to use time effectively and efficiently so that you can stay focused and be exam ready, your timetable should include a division of time for different modules and more time for the weaker areas.

For example: if you know that the reading section was the most difficult, you should be giving at least 30 minutes to read authenticated English reading material daily.

• The best resource here could be reading from newspapers or using academic texts available in libraries or e-books of native English authors and writers.

• While you read the material, concentrate on the basic ways the text is presented and what it indicates.

• You should be able to highlight the main ideas, also differentiate if the topic had some debatable discussion.

Using an annotation strategy can help you highlight opinions with different colours, conflicts can be underlined, Square brackets can be used to highlight the phrasal verbs, and the main idea can be written as a gist in the notepad.

List of phrasal words, linking words, and transitional words

A separate list can be prepared in a different notepad to collect all the phrasal verbs along with their meanings, some of them are given below for your reference:

• Look forward to : anticipate with pleasure

• Give up: stop trying

• Come across: find unexpectedly

• Put off: postpone

• Take up: begin a new activity

• Run into: encounter unexpectedly

• Get along with: have a good relationship

• Work out: resolv

Some examples of linking words are as follows:

• Addition: furthermore, in addition, moreover

• Cause and effect: because, since, due to

• Comparison and contrast: similar to, just as, likewise

• Result or consequences: Hence, therefore, as a result

• Sequence words: Firstly, secondly, next, then, afterward

All these will help you attempt many reading questions and also retaining the vocabulary used in the reading section will be helpful in the speaking and writing module. Practising the same for 4-5 days will help you eventually succeed in your roadmap of TOEFL exam preparation in 10 days.

Preparing a list of academic topics and Templates

The next important step in TOEFL exam preparation in 10 days is to have a list of topics that are academic and are generally found in TOEFL exam, the same is easily available on the official website of TOEFL and some of them are listed below for your quick reference. Select the topics you are familiar with and the ones you need to explore.

• Advancement in technology and artificial intelligence

• Education, its impact and the changes required

• Cultural diversity, psychology and human behavior

• Health and medicine

• Global issues related to population, poverty

• Environmental concerns

Self-analyze the topics that you need to research and they are the ones you should either be reading from academic texts or listening to English podcasts of native English speakers.

As you know, the writing module requires you to write in a proper format, check out the templates, and naturally memorize them so that you do not have to cram words but are in a position to write in a particular style. The more naturally you present your work the more is the score. Do not follow any crammed resources as they would not give you a high score.

Read to understand and time the reading while using annotation

Whenever you read the academic texts of any topic you should have a stopwatch with you and should set the time to go through the reading material and be in a position to discuss the topic or share your opinion about it.

The average reading speed should be 180- 200 words in a minute.

Taking notes and using short forms

As you practice the listening module, taking notes is the most effective way to retain the audio and the same can be done by:

• creating your own short forms, using abbreviations and attaining the habit of scribbling in an understandable manner.

• You can make charts and use arrow keys to list down the sequence.

Stay focused to notice the paraphrased words

Role-playing in front of the mirror and self-talk

Its really not necessary that in your TOEFL exam preparation in 10 days, you will fing a native speaker to practice speaking in English or anyone to regularly evaluate your work. So, to gain confidence, stand in front of the mirror and self-talk to yourself, make eye contact with yourself, and share opinions about the topic you have heard or read, day by day increase the time limit of self-practice speaking so that you are ready and confident about your own skills.

Self-care

Stay motivated, consistent and also take care of your physical, and mental health by having a good diet.

How to prepare for TOEFL in 10 days?

TOEFL preparation is journey. The candidates can make use of TOEFL preparation materials such as TOEFL preparation books to enhance their journey. When it comes to this journey, one of the major questions asked by the candidates are 'can I prepare for TOEFL in a week'. The answer is Yes. There are numerous TOEFL preparation free online courses available to the candidates. These materials can teach them how to prepare for TOEFL. The candidates can engage themselves in TOEFL preparation online or attempt offline classes to enhance their TOEFL preparation. Given below is a TOEFL study plan which equips the candidates to successfully complete the challenges set by the TOEFL section in a TOEFL preparation time period of 10 days.

TOEFL preparation day 1: Select Your TOEFL Test Type

First, you need to decide how you want to take the TOEFL exam.

There are two options: TOEFL iBT and paper-delivered.

TOEFL iBT is conducted online at designated test centers. You must physically go to the center to take the test.

TOEFL revised paper-delivered is a newer version of the traditional paper-based test and is available where TOEFL iBT isn't offered. The main difference is that the paper-delivered test does not include the speaking section due to specific recording technology requirements. Otherwise, both formats are considered equivalent.

These differences also affect how quickly you receive your results. Scores for the iBT format are made available online within a week. Paper-delivered test results may take about a month to arrive by mail.

Consider which format aligns better with your needs and goals. Availability is often the deciding factor, with the internet-based test being faster and more convenient if it's accessible to you.

TOEFL preparation day 2: Understand your TOEFL preparation level

To understand your readiness for the TOEFL exam, it's crucial to assess your starting point. Even if you feel confident in your English skills, the TOEFL format might be unfamiliar. The best way to evaluate your preparedness is by taking a TOEFL practice test. There are numerous options available, including some that require payment.

A convenient option is to visit the official TOEFL website and take their practice test. Try to replicate real testing conditions as closely as possible; the test lasts about 4 hours, so eliminate any potential distractions.

Taking a practice test is essential to realistically assess how prepared you are for the TOEFL in the near future. After completing the practice exam, review your score and compare it to your target score. Many universities accept scores above 80, though top institutions may require scores of 100 or higher. It's wise to verify the specific score requirements of your desired colleges or programs beforehand. This process will help you determine what constitutes a good TOEFL score for your personal goals and aspirations.

TOEFL preparation day 3: Decide on how you want to move forward

Now the day has come for the candidate to decide on how they must move ahead with their TOEFL preparation. You have two options. Either be a part of TOEFL preparation online within the comforts of your home or go to an institution and enroll yourselves. The choice is up to you.

TOEFL preparation day 4: Start with the reading section

The reading section of the TOEFL exam evaluates your understanding of written English. It uses authentic academic texts taken from university-level study materials. These passages are typically only slightly modified to accurately assess your reading abilities. The topics covered in these texts vary widely, but you don't need to be an expert in any specific subject. All the information necessary to answer the questions is contained within the passage itself. This means you can rely on the text to guide your answers without needing prior knowledge of the topic. Since it is the first day of preparation, the candidates are advised to begin with the reading section due to its vast syllabus.

TOEFL preparation day 5: Move on to the listening section

The listening section evaluates your ability to comprehend spoken academic English in various contexts. To achieve high scores, you must demonstrate strong listening skills. The recordings used in this section are derived from lectures and conversations. You can practice for this part using the sets available on the official website, but it's also beneficial to listen to additional materials in any format that suits you best. Regular TOEFL practice enhances your skills regardless of the source, so choose what works conveniently for you.

TOEFL preparation day 6: The speaking section

Next, you can move forward to the speaking section, designed to assess your ability to communicate effectively in standard English. The four tasks simulate various scenarios, such as classroom discussions or outdoor settings. You'll have access to a headset with a microphone to record your responses. The TOEFL website offers valuable resources for practicing this section. Additionally, take every opportunity to converse in English; chatting with friends from abroad can be particularly helpful.

TOEFL preparation day 7: Study the writing section

The final section of the TOEFL exam focuses on writing, assessing your ability to express thoughts clearly and coherently in English. Writing in academic English can be challenging, but thorough TOEFL preparation is essential for success.

TOEFL preparation day 8: Understand your weaknesses

Today is a great day for extra practice. Remember the mock test you took earlier? It's time to revisit and review your results. Identify the section where you scored the lowest. Focus on that section and delve into it deeply. Incorporate as many practical exercises as you can to improve that particular skill. This targeted practice will help you level up and enhance your performance in that area.

TOEFL preparation day 9: Engage in more TOEFL practice

More practice is key. By now, you probably realize that the more you practice, the better your chances of achieving your desired score. Consider dedicating a day exclusively to taking mock tests. You can easily find them online or at your local library. For convenience, you might prefer downloading several from the official website. This approach ensures you have a variety of tests to work through, helping you become more familiar with the exam format and better prepared for the actual TOEFL.

TOEFL preparation day 10: Relax and keep a fresh mind

The day before the exam can be stressful for everyone. However, it's important not to succumb to the urge to study excessively. Overdoing it can be counterproductive and exhausting. Instead, try to relax and take it easy. Going for a walk can be refreshing, or you might consider treating yourself to a movie, preferably in English. This can serve as a pleasant distraction and help you be relaxed before the big day.

TOEFL preparation in 10 days: An overview

The candidates are advised to engage themselves in an extensive TOEFL preparation to successfully complete their TOEFL preparation in 10 days. Given below is an overview of the various TOEFL preparation methodologies discussed above.

TOEFL preparation tips

• Practice regularly using official TOEFL materials to get comfortable with the test format.
• Work on improving your reading comprehension skills by reading academic texts.
• Listen to lectures and conversations in English to enhance your listening abilities.
• Practice speaking English fluently and confidently on various topics.
• Write essays or responses to academic prompts to strengthen your writing skills.
• Take mock tests to simulate exam conditions and practice time management.
• Review your mistakes and learn from them to improve your performance.
• Familiarize yourself with the TOEFL scoring system and criteria used for evaluation.
• Stay organized and create a study schedule that includes all sections of the TOEFL.
• Stay positive and confident in your abilities as you prepare for the exam.

TOEFL test day tips

• Arrive early at the test center to avoid any delays.

• Bring your identification and test admission ticket.

• Eat a balanced meal before the test to maintain energy.

• Stay calm and relaxed throughout the exam.

• Read instructions carefully for each section.

• Manage your time wisely to complete all questions.

• Use provided breaks effectively to rest and refocus.

• Focus on answering questions accurately.

• Apply test-taking strategies you've practiced.

• Review your answers if time allows before submitting.

TOEFL preparation eBooks

These TOEFL preparation eBooks designed by Careers360 cover all sections of the test comprehensively—Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. They provide in-depth explanations of the test format, question types, and scoring criteria.