29August scores are OUT !!!!

[ivanstanchev]

I have 103 points
Reading - 28
Listening - 28
SPeaking - 23
Writing - 24

I was a bit confused when I saw my scores.I really expected at least 26 on speaking ,and maybe 28 on Writing.
I now know my errors.I used too many introductory sentences on Speaking - I really thought I was making my speech more organized,but the raters probably thought that I was somehow ''escaping'' from the point.
On Writing ,I didnt organize my writing a lot.I used a good range of vocabulary,but didnt develop the topic well enough.

I am on the one hand happy that I broke the 100-point-barrier ,but on the other hand I am disappointed with my speaking and writing.
However , there are about 3 month before applying ,so I have plenty of time to retake.
Good luck to Everyone

[mathematician]

I got 98 Have to take it again.

[yassin]

hi
I took test on 29 augest 2009 too, but i havent recieved my paper score and mail score. please help me. how can take score from ets site.

thnks in advance

[Englishraven]

Originally Posted by ivanstanchev

I now know my errors.I used too many introductory sentences on Speaking - I really thought I was making my speech more organized,but the raters probably thought that I was somehow ''escaping'' from the point.

That's a good point. When checking students' submissions in my own online speaking course for TOEFL, one of the problems is that students use up too much time with phrases like:

* Some people like to -------, and others like to ------; personally, I like to ------

* I prefer this for many reasons. The first reason I prefer this is ----

* ... and these are the reasons why ----


Using elaborate phrases like these causes problems, because:

1) Everybody tends to say them and use the same phrases - makes it hard for you to stand out

2) They don't really express any content and often just result in repetition of content

3) They add up and use up crucial time that you could be using to support a reason or give an example

It's better to keep your "frames" simple and direct, and, with such strict time limits, maximize your chances to express actual content. If your advanced and polished language is limited to these sort of memorized "stock phrases", you're unlikely to get much reward for them from the test assessors.

All the best,

~ Jason