My toefl experience - Rewinding ..!

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My toefl experience - Rewinding ..!

by papgust » Tue Jul 20, 2010 9:39 pm
Hey Dana!

It's amazing to see that there is some activity going on TOEFL forum too! :)

Anyways, I just wanted to share my test experience around 1 year back. I gave the exam with very limited preparation immediately after my first GMAT attempt. I was highly disappointed with my GMAT score and I had scheduled for TOEFL 1 week after GMAT. By just pondering over my terrible GMAT attempt, I never bothered to study for TOEFL or atleast understand the new format of TOEFL. Just 1 day before the D-day, I borrowed Barrons TOEFL book from my friend and practised Listening section. I also got hold of a site that really helped me to understand the speaking section format and practised a few exercises. That was my only preparation. Although I didn't practise or understand the format of reading and writing sections, I was confident that I can nail these 2 sections pretty easily as they're far more easier than that of GMAT.

But what was highly shocking to me was the test center. Oh man..! the test centers can't be so bad. The center was so disgustingly noisy that I just couldn't focus on my reading and listening sections. By the time I started the test, some guys sitting around me were already through with the reading and listening sections and started with speaking section. The noise was so horrible that I just couldn't read the passage or understand the questions/answers. I never knew that the test centers would be noisy, otherwise I would have prepared much better for the exam.

After reading and listening, I clearly knew that the test was gone completely out of my hands. I just changed my mind that I'm going to start my test all over and tried to focus the next two sections. After the test, few days pass by and never bothered to check my score in the internet. After a month, I just wanted to see what my score was although I wasn't interested.

90 (Reading-20, Listening-20, Speaking-26, Writing-24).

Honestly speaking, I was expecting a much lower score than 90. But 90 is still a very low score when most of the universities ask for a score of 100 or more.

I'm just thinking of giving the exam again, but with much better plan and preparation. I'm just planning to buy Official guides TOEFL CATs to practice better. But I need to ensure now is I should be able to focus even when there is all irritating noises around me. I'm sure that I can get a score of 105 minimum.

Can you suggest some tips/plan to overcome this problem? I'm sure that you're the right person to approach to. :)
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https://www.beatthegmat.com/download-gma ... 59366.html

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My toefl experience - Rewinding ..!

by DanaJ » Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:25 pm
Congrats! A 90 is a pretty good score, it's about how much an European school asks for. Well, top American b-schools ask for more, but you can still improve a lot.

The OG TOEFL is pretty good, I believe, it's a very useful book.

I've also written some tips for writing:

https://www.beatthegmat.com/writing-tip ... 51509.html

I can't say anything about the noise though... I guess you just need to practice zoning out :) A good idea would also be to do listening excerpts in a crowded place, where there's some noise, to get used to it.

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by papgust » Fri Jul 23, 2010 12:31 am
Thanks Dana..! Those headsets at the center are terrible. They actually claim that their headset to be noise-cancelling but on the flip side, its rather a noise-allowing headset. lol!!

I hope that the test center wouldn't bother if we bring earplugs which i feel is better (when doing reading or writing). I found it extremely useful in GMAT exam. I was able to focus better.
Download GMAT Math and CR questions with Solutions from Instructors and High-scorers:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/download-gma ... 59366.html

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GO GREEN..! GO VEG..!

Daily Quote:
"Stop feeling sorry for the Butcher if you had to go Veg. The butcher can find another job but the poor animal cannot get back its life"

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by Metora06 » Sun Mar 29, 2015 11:22 pm
I would like to appreciate your effort in organizing the TOEFL forum. Honestly speaking, your inputs were of great help while preparing for the TOEFL. I would like to share my experience of taking TOEFL as it would benefit someone.
HyBriDe TEkkEN

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by alicetom » Thu Apr 02, 2015 11:48 pm
Thank papgust for helpful information, keep up health