TOEFL Preparation Time 2024: How To Prepare For TOEFL?

Dreaming to study abroad in a dynamic university and transform life has become a common culture these days. Preparing for the TOEFL exam confidently is like a road map to the success one wishes to achieve but planning time to prepare for the TOEFL exam could be a tedious task. So, to enjoy this journey, today we will help you create a personalized study plan so that you can have a dedicated TOEFL preparation time. It is necessary that the candidates have a strong understanding about the TOEFL preparation time before they attempt the test. Lets first analyze some of the prerequisites to prepare a plan which is adequate for the TOEFL exam preparation time. Through this article, the candidates can have a glimpse of the TOEFL preparation time that is required for a candidate to ace in the examination.

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This Story also Contains

1. Pre-requisites for an extensive study plan
2. How Much Time Is Required to Prepare for TOEFL?
3. Preparation of the study plan
4. Phase-1: TOEFL Listening and Speaking Module
5. Phase -2 : TOEFL Reading and Writing Module
6. Phase- 3 : Re-working on errors and building strong vocabulary
7. TOEFL practice books

Pre-requisites for an extensive study plan

· Familiarize yourself with the TOEFL exam pattern

· Check your desired score

· Check the way the TOEFL exam is scored

· Check out the type of questions in each module of the TOEFL exam.’

· Attempt one complete TOEFL exam practice test.

· Analyze your score after the attempt and check all your weak areas.

· List out all important activities of your daily life, for example- work time, health care and so on.

How Much Time Is Required to Prepare for TOEFL?

The standard time required for the TOEFL preparation is 2- 3 months recommended by most of the experts. The rest depends on the proficiency level of the English of the student as well as familiarity with the exam format.

The below table shows the required time for the TOEFL Preparation:

If a student is a beginner or has a lower level of English proficiency, he/she may need more time, ranging from 4-6 months, to improve their language skills and familiarize themselves with the exam pattern. On the other hand, if the student has already a strong command of English or fluency in English and is familiar with standardized tests, he/she may be able to prepare thoroughly in 6-8 weeks.

When a student starts their preparation it’s essential to create a consistent study plan and should strictly follow it. The student must incorporate various practice materials, such as TOEFL practice tests, exercises, and resources from reputable sources. Consistent learning and regular practice are required to achieve their desired TOEFL score.

Preparation of the study plan

Now, as you know your weak areas and the exam pattern, you should prepare strategies and plans that help you make TOEFL preparation time a great success. In today's plan we shall start with the simple technique of language learning process, i.e, to start with TOEFL listening and speaking modules followed by TOEFL reading and writing modules, also focusing on enhancing the general vocabulary so that achieving TOEFL score is not a hard nut.

Hence, let's divide the TOEFL preparation time in 4 phases.

Phase-1: TOEFL Listening and Speaking Module

In the initial phase, we should be concentrating only on the listening and speaking part of the TOEFL exam, so to start with let’s design time in engaging ourselves in different activities keeping in mind that we have to be motivated for the TOEFL exam and not feel bored.

1. As you know that you will be assessed on how much you are able to understand, retain and connect the information. It is ideal to spend a minimum of 30 minutes on a daily basis listening to authenticated native speakers podcasts and making notes while listening.

2. The next 10 minutes post listening should be spent to sequence the notes made in a logical manner and so that you are confident in speaking out the gist of the audio you have just heard.

3. As you need to have pragmatic understanding, now read the notes you have made and next 10-15 minutes you should be speaking on the same topic standing in front of the mirror and having eye contact with yourself.

4. Practice this activity using different topic authenticated podcasts for 3-4 days and the next 3 days you should change the style of speaking, now instead of mirror practice and record your audio and self-check your answers.

5. You will observe that within 7-8 days, you have enhanced your listening and speaking abilities and at this TOEFL preparation time, you should give a TOEFL practice test attempt for both the modules.

6. The above-mentioned activities should be planned according to the question format of the TOEFL listening and speaking modules.

Daily one hour of dedicated TOEFL exam preparation time will help you succeed and reach your goal.

Phase -2 : TOEFL Reading and Writing Module

As we move forward, we do realize that we have built our hands more on the academic vocabulary as we were listening to the native speakers in the TOEFL exam preparation time of the listening and speaking module. Also we could strategies our own ways of making notes and judging the inner thoughts and feelings of the speaker. The same should be realized while reading also.

1. Its now that you have to divide your preparation time in 2 parts, once in the morning and next probably in the evenings, each time practicing any one TOEFL reading or writing module.

2. This time we will just be focusing on extensive reading of authenticated texts, academic books and blogs of native English people; newspapers could also be one of the resources.

3. It is time to develop the reading speed and also be able to retain the information, understand the inner meaning, infer the ideas and note the way the ideas are connected.

4. Dedicated 40 minutes of reading authenticated material will surely be helpful, these 40 minutes should again be divided into 15-15-10 minute strategy and the next 7 days different question types should be practiced focusing more on the questions that were not correct in the TOEFL mock practice test.

5. The next part of preparation is writing practice, here you should start with the independent writing task and should target completing that in 30 minutes.

6. Brainstorm yourself with different essay topics and write the essay keeping in mind the scoring parameters, this will help you be in a habit of writing well within the time limit.

7. Integrated writing tasks can be practiced on alternative days as this is more sequential and opinion-based writing.

8. AT the end of 7 days, do not forget to check your progress by attempting once again the writing and reading TOEFL exam practice.

Phase- 3 : Re-working on errors and building strong vocabulary

By now, you have a good self-realization of all the errors and any improvement areas still required. We will focus on brushing our vocabulary even more, Now follow the given strategies day wise for the next 5 days:

Day:1- Practice the TOEFL listening section Test

Day:2- Practice the TOEFL reading section Test

Day:3- Practice the TOEFL Writing section Test

Day:4- Work on all the mistakes and revise all the concepts and strategies

Day:5- Relax and just do TOEFL independent speaking task

Phase 4: Recapitulation and TOEFL exam Readiness

At this stage you are prepared and just need to revise and practice well, so take care of your health and for the next 4 days just practice the entire test.

You may now register for the exam as you are well prepared and you have managed the TOEFL preparation time very well.

TOEFL practice books

The TOEFL preparation eBooks designed by Careers360 focus on developing specific skills required for the TOEFL, such as academic reading, note-taking, listening for detail, speaking fluency, and writing coherence. Each section typically includes exercises and tips for improvement.