How I got 119/120 on the 2024 TOEFL test

Summary

Andrew, a university student in Korea, shares his strategies for acing the TOEFL, scoring 119/120. He emphasizes that success isn't just about being a native speaker but having a systematic approach. He covers tips for reading, listening, speaking, and writing sections, offering practical strategies like rephrasing questions, focusing on key ideas, and using templates for writing and speaking. Andrew also provides free downloadable resources, including TOEFL vocabulary flashcards and detailed guides, to help others achieve similar results.

Takeaways

• 📘 Andrew scored 119/120 on the TOEFL and wants to help others achieve similar results by sharing his strategies.
• 📝 Success on the TOEFL is 50% language familiarity and 50% test familiarity—having a system for approaching each section is essential.
• 💡 Andrew recommends reading only the first sentence of each paragraph before jumping to the questions in the reading section, as TOEFL questions follow the passage sequentially.
• 🔄 Rephrasing complex questions into simpler terms and looking for synonyms in the text are effective strategies for the reading section.
• 🎧 For listening, Andrew emphasizes active listening and advises not to daydream or get caught up in small details like unknown vocabulary words.
• 🗣️ In the speaking section, clear delivery is important. While a native accent is not required, speaking audibly and enunciating clearly helps the AI and human graders.
• 📋 Andrew encourages the use of speaking templates to avoid awkward pauses, suggesting that structured templates eliminate the need to hesitate or search for words.
• ✍️ For writing, Andrew suggests using templates for both the integrated and independent essays, focusing on structure and predictable question patterns.
• 🧠 The rule of thumb for writing is to emphasize the listening section more than the reading in the integrated task and to follow a clear introduction, body, and conclusion format.
• 💻 Andrew offers free resources like TOEFL vocabulary flashcards and detailed templates on his Notion page, designed to aid preparation and practice.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the video and what is the purpose of the video?

The speaker is Andrew, a university student in Korea who scored 119 out of 120 on the TOEFL. The purpose of the video is to provide tips, strategies, and resources for students preparing for the TOEFL, with the goal of helping them achieve high scores.

What is Andrew’s opinion on the relationship between being a native speaker and performing well on the TOEFL?

Andrew believes that being a native speaker doesn't guarantee success on the TOEFL, just as attending high school in America doesn't ensure high SAT scores. He emphasizes that test familiarity and having a systematic approach are equally important to language proficiency.

What strategy does Andrew recommend for tackling the reading section of the TOEFL?

Andrew recommends reading the first sentence of each paragraph to get a quick overview, then going straight to the questions. He suggests finding answers in the text first without looking at the answer choices, as the questions are arranged sequentially with the text.

How does Andrew suggest dealing with complex and scientific questions in the reading section?

Andrew advises rephrasing complex questions into simpler words to make them easier to understand and approach. This helps when looking for answers in the text.

What tip does Andrew give for handling synonyms in the reading section?

Andrew suggests looking for synonyms in the text, as many questions are reworded versions of what’s stated in the passage. Recognizing synonyms will make it easier to match questions with answers.

What caused Andrew to lose a point in the listening section, and what advice does he give to avoid this mistake?

Andrew lost a point due to daydreaming and missing a key detail. He advises focusing completely on the listening passage, avoiding distractions, and being an active listener.

What does Andrew mean by being an 'active listener' during the listening section?

Being an active listener means knowing what to expect from the listening passages (e.g., the structure of campus conversations or academic lectures) and taking notes on key points rather than trying to remember everything. This helps in systematically solving the questions.

What does Andrew suggest about taking notes during the listening section?

Andrew suggests finding a balance in note-taking. If you’re taking too many notes and missing key points, cut back. If you’re not taking enough notes and missing details, take more. The key is to be mindful and strike a balance.

How does Andrew recommend improving delivery in the speaking section?

Andrew recommends focusing on clarity and volume, ensuring the grader can understand what is being said. Mumble less, open your mouth clearly, and articulate well. An AI component also tracks the speech, so being audible is crucial.

What is Andrew's tip for using templates in the writing and speaking sections?

Andrew advocates using templates for both speaking and writing sections, stating they can cover 50% of the answer structure. Templates provide a framework, and the remaining task is to fill in relevant content. He shares that he used templates and achieved a high score.