rafath Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Hi Everyone. Posting a little bit late, this post contains TOEFL test day experience I had on 22 september 2012. I will be glad if it help you in anyway. The booking of TOEFL was done 15 days before . Actually I had a bad experience with my previous TOEFL attempt when I got 86 but the score was cancelled because the test centre was declared unfit.:( This time the test centre was Prometric. I used ETS's official TOEFL guide as my reference. This book is simple and straight to point.I went through all the sections once. Apart from one practical speaking session with one of this forum member,I didn't prepare much for speaking practically. I was overconfident to say the least. A day before exam, I was relaxed and went to an iStore (Apple's premium store in India) and was having a nice time using iPad, iPhone and MacBooks(Actually decided to buy it after coming from TOEFL exam). The point here is don't be too stressed a day or two before the exam. A little anxiety is good but too much stress levels will only lower your performance in the exam. On the exam day. Actually the test was scheduled at 10AM and I started well at 8:45 and was at the point at 9:15 only to discover that the test centre was not there and has been shifted somewhere else. The test centre was located there for many years and was present above some bank and the fact that this new location was near some bank confused me. By God's grace I met another person who, like me was confused about the test centre. He was in a taxi and was kind enough to help me reach the centre. It was 9:45 AM when I reached the test centre :) Phew. Had to undergo test centre formalities. After this little bit of adventure of address location, my stomach felt strange. I took some time, had a glass of water and reported myself to the lady there.I was located towards my desk. By then everyone in the hall started their test. Exam Seriously speaking, I never gave any mock tests before exam, knowing well that apart from taking time, if not performed well, it would create a negative mindset for the exam. Read the instructions and started the reading section. My mindset for this exam was to take one question at a time and not to panic after seeing the clock. At the same time making sure I am not lagging behind. In reading section, I never worried about reading the entire passage. As for the 3 mins given to read the passage, I utilized them fully and read initial sentences and sometimes rather than writing points, I read it to know what the passage wants me to understand. Overall this section was above average. At times I felt I was lagging behind the time, but I picked myself up rather than panicking. For Listening section, I knew that I need to note points and there was no way I am using the logic of just listening and then answering the questions. So I was hyperactive at this part of test. Focused entirely on what the person is saying and what the discussion is about. At the same time I was taking notes(Note: don't write full notes or sentence. I wrote single words then used arrows to link them. For me this way of notemaking was good as it consumed less time at the same time I had my focus on the speaker). Apart from one or two doubts, this section went pretty well. At the last question of last listening task, I had full 3.5 mins left. So instead of just answering the question. I marked it and then relaxed knowing fully that I had another 10 mins break apart from this time which I saved for myself. Had my break , washed my face, drank some water and relaxed. Told myself to focus on one question and one task at a time. Funny but I was remembering how to frame the speaking answers for this section in break time. Speaking section went average. For some tasks I couldn't complete my speaking in time . At some times I fumbled, at some times I was confident and gave some good points. Overall, this section was pretty much average. This section went passed quickly . Finally, the writing section. I didn't made the disappointment of speaking get over me.I consider myself as an average writer. I got some unexpected questions but I took time to understand the questions. Brainstormed some ideas and wrote the main words on paper. Later I used them in my essay. Overall this section was good but rather than finishing in limited words, I crossed the word limit. I would like to suggest you to take some time in the end so as to give finishing touches to your essay. By the time I finished my exam, I was the only one sitting in the hall. :) Fingers crossed, Waiting for my result In the end , I would like to share some points that might be useful for anyone who takes this test. 1. Be calm, utilise your time. No need to be in a hurry of finishing entire book or notes. Rather try to understand what you are doing. In other words, spend quality time rather than merely glancing questions and worrying. 2. If you have time to give mocks, then well and good but if you don't, then my personal opinion is to avoid them at the same time don't panic that you didn't give any mocks. 3. Be thorough about the test pattern, different time allotted for different sections and what different sections contain. Know them thoroughly. 4. Except if you have not even started studying for exam, I suggest not to be too tough on yourself a day or two before the exam. A casual glance on sections is enough. 5. Be cool on test day, make sure you know the test centre address and unlike me you can be at ease well before the exam. 6. If possible relieve yourself and have a glass of water. Stay calm and don't worry after seeing test takers there. Dont try to interact with any test takers. Their preparation plans etc might cause you lose your confidence in last moment. This is nearly fatal. Dont give a **** about anyone at the test centre and be calm and silent. 7. Manage your time well. Focus on task at hand. Dont worry about next questions which you dont know. And please for God's sake dont try to be in a hurry to finish the exam. TOEFL wont reward you extra score if you finish it early. Make full use of your time. Also manage your time well. Dont panic after seeing the clock. Be at pace with it and at the same time don't lag behind too much. 8. For those who know the test pattern, there are some sections for ex: listening section where you have 10 mins for 17 sections. If you are in 17 question in 7th minute. Rather than clicking next and finishing. Wait for the time to finish itself and rather calm yourself. Tell yourself that your are better than anyone else.Motivate yourself. Remember any one who motivates you. For me it was Steve Jobs, I remembered him, I got motivated. 9. Also don't forget to go through NoteFull's youtube videos. You can call him or ask him any queries. His videos are amazing. They helped me a lot, they might help you too. Once again make yourself at ease by knowing the pattern of the exam and the amount of time allocated to each of them. Make sure you are in pace with the clock and don't panic. You'll crack it I know that. Everyone has the potential. Just focus on task at hand :). Phew!! what a big post. Hope this can help you folks. Feel free to ask any query :) And yes after my TOEFL exam, I went and gifted myself a Macbook Pro. Cool laptop by the way :) Kind Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liman Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Thanks very much for this post, it will definitely help me prepare well and be confident in my upcoming TOEFL exam. Keep up the good job and i wish you all the best in your endeavour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jojo Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Hi Everyone. Posting a little bit late, this post contains TOEFL test day experience I had on 22 september 2012. I will be glad if it help you in anyway. The booking of TOEFL was done 15 days before . Actually I had a bad experience with my previous TOEFL attempt when I got 86 but the score was cancelled because the test centre was declared unfit.:( This time the test centre was Prometric. I used ETS's official TOEFL guide as my reference. This book is simple and straight to point.I went through all the sections once. Apart from one practical speaking session with one of this forum member,I didn't prepare much for speaking practically. I was overconfident to say the least. A day before exam, I was relaxed and went to an iStore (Apple's premium store in India) and was having a nice time using iPad, iPhone and MacBooks(Actually decided to buy it after coming from TOEFL exam). The point here is don't be too stressed a day or two before the exam. A little anxiety is good but too much stress levels will only lower your performance in the exam. On the exam day. Actually the test was scheduled at 10AM and I started well at 8:45 and was at the point at 9:15 only to discover that the test centre was not there and has been shifted somewhere else. The test centre was located there for many years and was present above some bank and the fact that this new location was near some bank confused me. By God's grace I met another person who, like me was confused about the test centre. He was in a taxi and was kind enough to help me reach the centre. It was 9:45 AM when I reached the test centre :) Phew. Had to undergo test centre formalities. After this little bit of adventure of address location, my stomach felt strange. I took some time, had a glass of water and reported myself to the lady there.I was located towards my desk. By then everyone in the hall started their test. Exam Seriously speaking, I never gave any mock tests before exam, knowing well that apart from taking time, if not performed well, it would create a negative mindset for the exam. Read the instructions and started the reading section. My mindset for this exam was to take one question at a time and not to panic after seeing the clock. At the same time making sure I am not lagging behind. In reading section, I never worried about reading the entire passage. As for the 3 mins given to read the passage, I utilized them fully and read initial sentences and sometimes rather than writing points, I read it to know what the passage wants me to understand. Overall this section was above average. At times I felt I was lagging behind the time, but I picked myself up rather than panicking. For Listening section, I knew that I need to note points and there was no way I am using the logic of just listening and then answering the questions. So I was hyperactive at this part of test. Focused entirely on what the person is saying and what the discussion is about. At the same time I was taking notes(Note: don't write full notes or sentence. I wrote single words then used arrows to link them. For me this way of notemaking was good as it consumed less time at the same time I had my focus on the speaker). Apart from one or two doubts, this section went pretty well. At the last question of last listening task, I had full 3.5 mins left. So instead of just answering the question. I marked it and then relaxed knowing fully that I had another 10 mins break apart from this time which I saved for myself. Had my break , washed my face, drank some water and relaxed. Told myself to focus on one question and one task at a time. Funny but I was remembering how to frame the speaking answers for this section in break time. Speaking section went average. For some tasks I couldn't complete my speaking in time . At some times I fumbled, at some times I was confident and gave some good points. Overall, this section was pretty much average. This section went passed quickly . Finally, the writing section. I didn't made the disappointment of speaking get over me.I consider myself as an average writer. I got some unexpected questions but I took time to understand the questions. Brainstormed some ideas and wrote the main words on paper. Later I used them in my essay. Overall this section was good but rather than finishing in limited words, I crossed the word limit. I would like to suggest you to take some time in the end so as to give finishing touches to your essay. By the time I finished my exam, I was the only one sitting in the hall. :) Fingers crossed, Waiting for my result In the end , I would like to share some points that might be useful for anyone who takes this test. 1. Be calm, utilise your time. No need to be in a hurry of finishing entire book or notes. Rather try to understand what you are doing. In other words, spend quality time rather than merely glancing questions and worrying. 2. If you have time to give mocks, then well and good but if you don't, then my personal opinion is to avoid them at the same time don't panic that you didn't give any mocks. 3. Be thorough about the test pattern, different time allotted for different sections and what different sections contain. Know them thoroughly. 4. Except if you have not even started studying for exam, I suggest not to be too tough on yourself a day or two before the exam. A casual glance on sections is enough. 5. Be cool on test day, make sure you know the test centre address and unlike me you can be at ease well before the exam. 6. If possible relieve yourself and have a glass of water. Stay calm and don't worry after seeing test takers there. Dont try to interact with any test takers. Their preparation plans etc might cause you lose your confidence in last moment. This is nearly fatal. Dont give a **** about anyone at the test centre and be calm and silent. 7. Manage your time well. Focus on task at hand. Dont worry about next questions which you dont know. And please for God's sake dont try to be in a hurry to finish the exam. TOEFL wont reward you extra score if you finish it early. Make full use of your time. Also manage your time well. Dont panic after seeing the clock. Be at pace with it and at the same time don't lag behind too much. 8. For those who know the test pattern, there are some sections for ex: listening section where you have 10 mins for 17 sections. If you are in 17 question in 7th minute. Rather than clicking next and finishing. Wait for the time to finish itself and rather calm yourself. Tell yourself that your are better than anyone else.Motivate yourself. Remember any one who motivates you. For me it was Steve Jobs, I remembered him, I got motivated. 9. Also don't forget to go through NoteFull's youtube videos. You can call him or ask him any queries. His videos are amazing. They helped me a lot, they might help you too. Once again make yourself at ease by knowing the pattern of the exam and the amount of time allocated to each of them. Make sure you are in pace with the clock and don't panic. You'll crack it I know that. Everyone has the potential. Just focus on task at hand :). Phew!! what a big post. Hope this can help you folks. Feel free to ask any query :) And yes after my TOEFL exam, I went and gifted myself a Macbook Pro. Cool laptop by the way :) Kind Regards Congratulations! Do let us know the outcome of your hardwork when the results are out. Wishing you and your cool laptop the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafath Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 Thanks very much for this post bro, it will definitely help me prepare well and be confident in my upcoming TOEFL exam. Keep up the good job and i wish you all the best in your endeavour You're welcome :) bro. I am glad it helped you. Yes buddy, be confident about everything in life. Thanks and I wish you the same :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafath Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 Duplicate comment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafath Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 Congratulations! Do let us know the outcome of your hardwork when the results are out. Wishing you and your cool laptop the best Thanks :). Sure buddy , I will post my result, once its out. Wish you the same bro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpratik Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 dude i have given the exam same day (22nd) and now its 02 oct, what you think when its going to come (center : Prometric, Hyderabad)..i am waiting hellishly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafath Posted October 2, 2012 Author Share Posted October 2, 2012 dude i have given the exam same day (22nd) and now its 02 oct, what you think when its going to come (center : Prometric, Hyderabad)..i am waiting hellishly Yeah Same day, Same Centre, My time 10AM :). If my guess is not wrong, result should be declared sometime this week. And how was you exam. looks like you nailed it. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpratik Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Don't know. Expecting atleast above 80, although, sometimes i get a feeling that i wont score above 40 :P. Its like 20 to 120 i think evey hour. Really I cant predict as it is totally dependent on them. What you think about scores ? how was it ? (mine around 80) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafath Posted October 2, 2012 Author Share Posted October 2, 2012 Don't know. Expecting atleast above 80, although, sometimes i get a feeling that i wont score above 40 :P. Its like 20 to 120 i think evey hour. Really I cant predict as it is totally dependent on them. What you think about scores ? how was it ? (mine around 80) Why you would get that feeling. Take it easy bro. You gave your exam, hope for the best. My exam was good but I have not tied any hopes you know. Just give your best and take a chill pill. Don't worry and hope for the best :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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