Being one of the most popular internationally recognized English tests, TOEFL remains one of the tricky tests I bet you do not know how to prepare well for. Usually, most students join coaching classes to study for the test but the studies can be done on your own as well. Think of it as learning a new language; if you have the right TOEFL books and resources along with motivation and self-discipline, you can do well studying alone. Yet, how many people know how well to do this without a coach? Let me take you through my 30-day study plan that would help you prepare well for the test…
Being one of the most popular internationally recognized English tests, TOEFL remains one of the tricky tests I bet you do not know how to prepare well for. Usually, most students join coaching classes to study for the test but the studies can be done on your own as well. Think of it as learning a new language; if you have the right TOEFL books and resources along with motivation and self-discipline, you can do well studying alone. Yet, how many people know how well to do this without a coach? Let me take you through my 30-day study plan that would help you prepare well for the test.
30-Day TOEFL Study Plan
This one-month TOEFL study schedule is designed for self-studiers looking to prepare for their TOEFL exam date. I highly recommend that you seek out other opportunities to practice, especially conversation with English speakers, but that is not included in the schedule because it depends on what opportunities you have.
This month-long TOEFL study plan is mostly designed to get you familiar with the TOEFL format and question types, but with the ultimate aim of getting your TOEFL scores to an acceptable level. That means some of the material focuses on academic English in general. But if you’re concerned about your overall level of English, one month of study for the TOEFL may not be enough time. In that case, consider taking some time to get your English ability high enough beforehand, studying grammar, vocabulary, and practicing the four skills (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) outside the context of the TOEFL.
Each week, there are 6 days of TOEFL prep. One day per week will be a rest day, which isn’t included in the schedule. Use that day to relax!
if you have more time to devote to your studies, then contact A.O.S Academy to get you prepared and get you the Official TOEFL iBT Tests for additional practice.
TOEFL Prep Resources
To follow this schedule fully, you’ll need four things:
A computer with speakers and Internet access
TOEFL Prep (from A.O.S Academy)
The Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT, 6thEdition with the accompanying downloadable software. If you don’t have the time or ability to quickly access a print version of the book, don’t worry! Just purchase the E-book version which comes with the same software download.
A.O.S preparatory class to prepare you for the exam. Currently available in; full-time, part-time, online and private.One Month TOEFL Study Schedule Breakdown
Week 1, Day 1:
Complete Listening Practice Sets 1 and 2 on the ETS TOEFL Listening Practice sets. You will need to download the second set, complete with audio file, by clicking on the download link under the “Need More Practice?” heading at the bottom of the first set.
Complete Reading Practice Set 1 on TOEFL Reading Practice PDF. Your goal is to become familiar with the format of the test—don’t worry too much about how many right and wrong answers you get.
Week 1, Day 2:
Complete speaking practice questions 1 and 2 from the TOEFL Speaking Practice Questions PDF.
Complete Writing Practice Set 1 from the TOEFL Writing Practice Questions PDF. Your goal is to become familiar with the format of the TOEFL and how much time you have for each task. Don’t worry about grading yourself.Week 1, Day 3:
Take the “Reading” section of Practice Test 1 from the software that accompanies the Official Guide. The format is not identical to that of the iBT, but it will give you a more authentic practice session than the practice tests in the book. Use the self-scoring chart in the back of the book to see where you stand. Review your wrong answers carefully so that you understand why you made every mistake.
Week 1, Day 4:
1. Take the “Speaking” section of Practice Test 1 from the software that comes with the Official Guide. Use either your phone or this online recorder to record your answers. Don’t worry about grading them today. You will listen to them on day 6.2. Complete Reading Practice Set 2 on TOEFL Reading Practice PDF. Review your incorrect answers carefully, learning from your mistakes.Week 1, Day 5:
Take the “Listening” section of Practice Test 1 from the software that comes with the Official Guide. Use the self-scoring chart in the back of the book to see where you stand. Review your wrong answers carefully so that you understand why you made every mistake.
Week 1, Day 6:
1. Take the “Writing” section of Practice Test 1 from the software that comes with the Official Guide.2. Listen to the recordings of your answers that you made on day 4. Compare them to the sample answers that come with the OG.How to Prepare for the TOEFL: Weak Two
Week 2, Day 1:
Read the essay that you wrote on week 1, day 6. Compare them to the sample answers explanations in the book. Grade yourself based on which sample essays yours was most similar to. Edit both your essays to improve them.
Week 2, Day 2:
1. Complete Listening Practice Sets 3 and 4 on the ETS TOEFL Listening Practice sets. To get these later sets, complete with audio files, you’ll need to scroll to the bottom of that page and click the download link under the “Need More Practice?” link.2. Complete speaking practice questions 3 and 4 from the TOEFL Speaking Practice Questions PDF. Record your answers to the speaking section. Review your incorrect answers to the speaking section carefully. Listen to your recordings, and note what could be improved. Then, answer the questions again with those improvements.Week 2, Day 3:
Official Practice:Complete Writing Practice Set 2 from the TOEFL Writing Practice Questions PDF. After finishing, set it aside until later.
Week 2, Day 4:
1. Complete speaking practice questions 5 and 6 from the TOEFL Speaking Practice Questions PDF. Save the recordings of your answers to the speaking section.2. Complete Reading Practice Set 3 on TOEFL Reading Practice PDFWeek 2, Day 5:
1. Return to the essay you wrote for Writing Practice Set 2 from the TOEFL Writing Practice Questions PDF. Edit and add to it to make it even better.2. Return to your answers from speaking practice questions 1 and 2 from the TOEFL Speaking Practice Questions PDF. Listen and note what could be improved. Answer them again with those improvements.How to Prepare for the TOEFL: Week Three
Week 3, Day 1:
Congratulations–you’ve now reached the halfway point of your one month of TOEFL study.
Complete the first three reading practice sets in the Official Guide, in the Reading chapter. Carefully review your wrong answers, learning from your mistakes.Week 3, Day 2:
In the Official Guide, read the first example Independent Writing task in the waiting chapter. Outline your own answer to the question (don’t write the essay yet—just prepare for it). Then, read the sample essays that follow the prompt in the OG. After you read each essay and before you read the rater comments, critique the essay yourself. What are its strengths and weaknesses? What would you have done differently? What aspects of this essay might you try to incorporate into your own writing? Then return to your outline, and write your own response.Week 3, Day 3:
Do the Reading section of Practice Test 2 from the software that comes with the Official Guide. Give yourself exactly one hour to complete it. Score yourself with the table at the back of the book. Review your incorrect answers carefully. Week 3, Day 4:
1. Complete Writing Practice Set 3 from the TOEFL Writing Practice Questions PDF.2. Return to the essay you wrote on week 3, day 2. Edit and add to it to make it even better.Week 3, Day 5:
Do the Speaking section of Practice Test 2 from the software that comes with the Official Guide. Record your answers so you can review them later.Week 3, Day 6:
Today, you’re going to take a full practice test. If you don’t have a full four hours to spend, then switch this day with a day next week when you will have the time. You need four hours with no interruptions at your computer.
Take the practice test 3 from the software that comes with the Official Guide. Do not take breaks during a section, and be careful with the clock. The software will give you the timer for most parts, but here is the timing for reference:
Reading section: 54 minutes
Listening section: 16.5 minutes total to answer the questionsof all five recordings. Stop the timer when you are listening to the recordings.
BREAK: 10 minutes (have a quick snack!)
Speaking section:(You will need to time yourself and record yourself in the speaking section, so be prepared.)
15 seconds to prepare, 45 seconds to speak.
30 seconds to prepare, 60 seconds to speak.
30 seconds to prepare, 60 seconds to speak.
20 seconds to prepare, 60 seconds to speak.
Writing section:
20 minutes
30 minutesHow to Prepare for the TOEFL: Week Four
Week 4, Day 1:
Review all of your answers from the full practice test you took at the end of last week. Pay careful attention to your wrong answers in reading and listening, learning from your mistakes. Grade your speaking and writing tasks by comparing them with the examples that come with the OG.Week 4, Day 2:
Do the Listening section of Practice Test 2 from the software that comes with the Official Guide. Score yourself with the table at the back of the book. Review your incorrect answers carefully.Week 4, Day 3:
Do the Writing section of Practice Test 2 from the software that comes with the Official Guide. Grade your essays by comparing them with the examples that come with the OG.Week 4, Day 4:
1. Return to the speaking task recordings you created on week 3 day 5. Repeat the same tasks better than the first time, attempting to include new vocabulary in every answer.2. Return to the essays you wrote yesterday. Edit them and add to them to make them even better.Week 4, Day 5:
Complete the last three reading practice sets in the Reading chapter of the Official Guide. Give yourself no more than 18 minutes per passage (including the questions). Carefully review your wrong answers, learning from your mistakes.Week 4, Day 6:
Complete the five listening practice sets in the Official Guide, from the Listening chapter. Carefully review your wrong answers, learning from your mistakes.The day before your TOEFL test:
Tell yourself you’re a rock star who’s going to ace the test. Don’t study today—you’ll just build up anxiety! Instead, find out what to expect on test day by reading about what you need to bring on test day and reading ETS’s TOEFL Test Day Tips. If you’ve followed this one month TOEFL study schedule, you should be in good shape for the test. Get a good night’s sleep, and have a healthy breakfast in the morning. Good luck!