First Time Acing TOEFL ITP Test

Here’s a little story.

Back in October 2020, I set a goal to improve my English-language proficiency and apply for scholarships in 2021. To achieve this, I took the TOEFL ITP test, a challenging English proficiency exam that consists of listening, reading, and grammar sections. To succeed, I had to prepare myself as if I were training for a triathlon. Each section is like a different stage of the competition that requires distinct skills and a lot of effort.

Listening — Running

For the listening section, I treated it like running, a fast-paced activity that demands absolute focus and stamina. To train, I listened to various audio materials, including podcasts, videos with closed captions, sample test audios, and movies — another reason for procrastinating, huh? With consistent training for two to three weeks, dedicating one to two hours each day, I achieved an impressive 80–90% score in listening comprehension. Touche.

Reading — Swimming

When it comes to Reading Comprehension, it’s like swimming — FYI, I sucked at swimming. You start by reading passages or paragraphs, analysing them, and then answering a set of questions. However, you’ll often come across unfamiliar words, like “mawkish,” even if you’ve spent a lot of time studying vocabulary. Even native speakers and English teachers may not know every word in the reading test. But you can use context clues to infer the meaning of new words by reading sentences or words around them. Another helpful tip is to use the skimming and scanning methods. Skimming is reading quickly to get general information, while scanning is reading rapidly to find specific facts.

To improve your reading skills, you should practice by doing Reading Comprehension tests on a weekly basis. Doing 3–5 passages per week will definitely help you sharpen your skills.

Grammar — Cycling

Finally, the grammar section is like cycling — should I say how bad I am at racing — where following specific rules and understanding the fundamentals of English grammar is paramount. To prepare for this section, I went back to the roots, and the basics, and studied everything from subject-verb agreement to advanced grammar rules like conditional tenses. I highly recommend the book CLIFF TOEFL PREPARATION GUIDE to anyone looking to improve their grammar skills. With consistent practice and study, I was able to achieve an impressive 80% score in the grammar section.

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In summary, preparing for the TOEFL ITP test is not an easy feat, but with the right mindset, dedication, and effort, one can succeed.

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