What about toefl

[Hobaboba]

I searched but most topics about gre! What about toefl questions and resources, experiences!

[Yana]

Hey,

 

I decided to start with the TOEFL, as the GRE is more complicated. I haven't studied for a long time, so I need to start with something easier.

 

I just registered for the test. I'm going to take it in three weeks. I purchased Kaplan's TOEFL iBT book. It has 4 practice tests on CD. Also I found a lot of good lessons on YouTube. My plan is to write two essays a day and to record myself while I am talking, so that I can hear my weak points and try to improve them, if possible, within these three weeks. I hope I can make it! 

[Andean Pat]

Hey,

 

I decided to start with the TOEFL, as the GRE is more complicated. I haven't studied for a long time, so I need to start with something easier.

 Because of this reason, I started with GRE. I devoted more time and money to GRE because it's more difficult. TOEFL is a piece of cake after GRE. I only took two classes! I practised the week before and that was it. And I got an 116.

[Yana]

Andean Pat,

 

at first, I also thought that I would start with the GRE. Although, I can't motivate myself to begin preparing for it. It seems to be so difficult now   , as I haven't studied for 8 years. That's why I changed my plan. If I pass the TOEFL, it will give me some positive thinking about myself    . Also, the TOEFL results should be no older than two years when you are applying. Knowing that will stimulate me to study for the GRE hard and quick. 

 

Good job on your TOEFL!

[Yana]

I took my TOEFL ibt test last week, and I am still waiting for my score. I decided to write about my experience just to let my anxiety go away.

I spent two weeks preparing for the test, 1-2 hours daily. I used the ETS site and Kaplan's book with 4 online tests for my preparation. As I mentioned before, I found some YouTube lessons on how to prepare for the speaking section of the test, as well.

On the test day my performance wasn't as good as I hoped it would be. When I started my reading section, a lot of the test takers were screaming "Describe the city you live in" to adjust their microphone volume, and one of the girls had already started her speaking section. So, I had some difficulty in concentrating. Also, I thought that there would be separate timers for the first reading passage and the following 2 or 4 passages. It made me nervous to realize that I had just one timer while I wasn't sure how many passages I would have as I skipped the instructions. All in all, the passages were not very difficult, and I had only four of them, but they were very long. Because of that, I decided just to scan them, instead of reading. While preparing for the test at home, I always was able to read the passages and to make some notes. The questions were tricky, and I have no idea how I performed on the reading section because very often I wasn't 100% sure when I was selecting my answers. I was very nervous, couldn't concentrate, that's why I have a bad feeling about my reading score.

The listening section was all right. I took a lot of notes and, finally, was able to calm down. I think I had 4 lectures and 2 conversations, but I might be wrong.

The speaking section wasn't too bad, but I know that I made two mistakes that I'm aware of. I corrected myself, but, of course, it might spoil all the impression. I didn't manage to give a final statement in some of the tasks too. Also, as I was anxious, I was speaking too fast, and I'm worried now that it might lower my score.

I think that my performance on the writing section was just average. I followed the structure, the word count in both of the essays was higher than needed, but I made some mistakes in spelling, and I used a British variant of the spelling in one word. On top of that, my ideas in the independent essay were not so bright.   

I need a score of 100 and higher. I feel really upset that I didn't prepare enough for the test, and that I will, more likely, need to retake it. The scores will be released only in a week. I know that I need to let it go, as I can't change anything now, but it's not easy to do so. The good part is that this experience has spurred me to study hard for the GRE.  

[Yana]

I received my score. 111/120 

Now, I'm ready to start my GRE preparation. 

Good luck on your TOEFL everyone!