TOEFL 6 Month Preparation Plan: Tips and Tricks

The TOEFL exam is a widely recognized test that measures English language proficiency. It is a necessary test for non-native speakers aiming to study or work in English-speaking countries. The test consists of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, and takes about four hours to complete.

This 6-month TOEFL study plan is designed to guide you through a comprehensive preparation process, ensuring you build a strong foundation in each section. In this article, we will provide a detailed month-by-month breakdown of the study plan, along with tips and strategies to help you succeed in the TOEFL exam.

If you aim to achieve a high TOEFL score, creating a study schedule is an essential first step. Begin by determining how much time you want to dedicate to TOEFL preparation. To do this, you’ll need to know your target TOEFL score and assess your current level of English proficiency. Generally, TOEFL iBT students fall into two categories:

1. Students with advanced academic English proficiency who want to familiarize themselves with the TOEFL iBT structure, format, and test-taking strategies.
2. Students who lack advanced English proficiency aim to score at least 85 or improve their TOEFL score by more than 15 points.

The second group must first enhance their vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills before focusing on TOEFL-specific strategies. Based on seven years of experience assisting students, those in the second group typically need at least four months to elevate their academic English to a level where they can comfortably tackle the TOEFL. An additional two months of study will further boost their confidence and test-taking skills and should not be overlooked.

Research indicates that taking a break from TOEFL study, even for a few weeks before the test, can lead to a decline in English proficiency, potentially preventing you from reaching your target score. Therefore, if you belong to the second category (which is common, as over 50% of our students do), it is strongly recommended to prepare for a minimum of four months using our six-month TOEFL study plan.

Preparing for the TOEFL over six months helps build strong language skills. This plan ensures thorough practice in all sections of the test. Each month focuses on different areas, gradually increasing the intensity of your studies. By following this structured approach, you can improve your reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills systematically.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the six-month preparation plan:

• Month 1: Build basic English skills, and start practicing reading and listening.
• Month 2: Continue with reading and listening, and start writing and speaking practice.
• Month 3: Focus on complex passages, advanced listening, and essay refinement.
• Month 4: Engage in critical reading, comprehensive listening drills, and integrated writing tasks.
• Month 5: Intensify practice sessions, and increase the frequency of full-length tests.
• Month 6: Final review, solidify knowledge, and practice relaxation techniques.

Below is a table on preparing of the different sections:

The first month of your TOEFL preparation should be focused on building a solid foundation in English. This is crucial for tackling the more complex aspects of the exam in later months. Begin by enhancing your general English skills, and then move on to specific sections of the TOEFL: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.

English Skills Section

1. Grammar and Vocabulary: Spend 30 minutes daily on grammar exercises and vocabulary building. Use resources like “English Grammar in Use” by Raymond Murphy or online tools like Grammarly and Quizlet. Focus on high-frequency TOEFL words using apps like Magoosh TOEFL Vocabulary Flashcards.

• Example Topics for Vocabulary: Technology advancements, environmental issues, historical events, and everyday activities.

2. TOEFL Vocabulary Interactive Training Program: Complete all exercises in this program. Write down all vocabulary words you learn in your notebook. When studying, ask yourself the following:

• Can you pronounce each vocabulary word correctly?
• Can you identify these vocabulary words when you hear them?
• Can you use these vocabulary words correctly in your speaking and writing answers?
• Do you understand all the usages of prepositions and other vocabulary words in the example sentences?

3. Academic Skills Lessons: Complete all lessons in this category to build a strong academic language base.

4. Optional Grammar Lessons: Study additional grammar materials, such as books or YouTube videos, focusing on the following topics:

• All tenses including conditional tenses
• Nouns (countable and uncountable), adjectives, and adverbs
• Subject-verb agreement
• Determiners (quantifiers, articles, etc.)
• Relative pronouns and relative clauses
• Verb complementation (infinitive, gerund, that-clause)
• Noun, adjective, and adverb clauses
• Prepositions
• Coordinating and subordinating conjunctions
• Joining two sentences using participial phrases
• Comparative and superlative

Reading Section

• Complete TOEFL Reading Lessons. Work through all the TOEFL reading lessons provided in your study materials.
• Read one TOEFL passage each day. Focus on understanding the main ideas, details, and the structure of the text. Use practice books like “The Complete Guide to the TOEFL Test” by Bruce Rogers.
• Develop note-taking skills by summarizing passages. This will help retain information and improve your ability to answer questions related to the text.
• Example Practice Passages: Use passages on topics like the history of jazz, the process of photosynthesis, and the impact of globalization.

Listening Section

• Complete 40 Campus-Conversation Listening Exercises. These exercises help you get comfortable with the speed of native speakers and study vocabularies, idioms, and phrasal verbs used in campus conversation settings.
• Go through all listening lessons provided in your study materials.
• Listen to English podcasts, news, or TED Talks for 30 minutes daily. Focus on understanding different accents and styles of speech. Podcasts like “NPR News Now,” “Science Vs,” and “TED Radio Hour” are excellent choices.
• After listening, summarize the content in your own words. This improves comprehension and helps you practice extracting key points from spoken English.
• Example Listening Topics: Listen to talks on scientific discoveries, personal growth stories, and educational lectures.

Writing Section

• Complete All TOEFL Writing Lessons. Work through all the writing lessons provided in your study materials.
• Write one essay per week on common TOEFL topics. Focus on clear structure and coherence. Use prompts from “Official TOEFL iBT Tests Volume 1” by ETS.
• Read and study 7 sample essays from each of the following TOEFL independent writing question types:
  • Preference questions
  • Agree & disagree questions
  • If/imaginary questions
  • Comparison and contrast questions
  • Description or explanation questions
• Exchange essays with a study partner for feedback. Use the feedback to improve your writing skills.
• Example Essay Topics: Write about the pros and cons of social media, the importance of education, and the effects of globalization.

Speaking Section

• Complete All TOEFL Speaking Lessons provided in your study materials.
• Practice speaking for 10-15 minutes daily on various topics. Record and review your responses to identify areas for improvement. Use tools like “TOEFL Speaking Practice” on YouTube for prompts.
• Focus on improving your pronunciation and intonation. Practice difficult sounds and word stress.
• Engage in English conversations with friends or language partners. This helps improve fluency and confidence. Use language exchange apps like Tandem or HelloTalk to find speaking partners.
• Example Speaking Topics: Discuss your favorite book, describe a memorable trip, or explain your opinion on a current event.

In the second month, you will continue to build on the foundation from Month 1. This month, focus on deepening your skills in reading, listening, writing, and speaking. You will also start taking TOEFL simulated tests to measure your progress and adjust your study plan accordingly.

Reading Section

• Practice reading passages under timed conditions to simulate exam pressure. Aim to complete each passage within the allotted time.
• Familiarize yourself with different question types, such as inference, main idea, and detail questions. Practice strategies for answering each type effectively.
• Example Practice Topics: Articles on climate change, technological innovations, and historical events.
• Work through a variety of TOEFL reading exercises to enhance comprehension skills and speed.

Listening Section

• Focus on understanding specific details and implied information in audio clips. Listen to academic lectures and campus conversations.
• Improve note-taking skills while listening to longer audio segments. Write down key points and details.
• Example Listening Topics: Listen to lectures on biology, sociology, and economics.
• Complete Listening Exercises in Specific Categories:
  • 5 exercises in the “Anthropology & Archaeology” category
  • 4 exercises in the “Astronomy” category
  • 4 exercises in the “Sociology” category
  • 5 exercises in the “Biology” category
  • 3 exercises in the “Botany” category
  • 2 exercises in the “Film History” category

Writing Section

• Practice writing essays based on integrated reading and listening tasks. Aim to complete one integrated task per week.
• Review and practice common grammatical structures used in academic writing. Focus on sentence variety and coherence.
• Example Writing Topics: Write essays comparing two theories, describing processes, and explaining causes and effects.
• Complete All TOEFL Integrated Writing Lessons in your study materials.
• Write 8 Independent Writing Essays. Focus on the “Agree and Disagree” question type.
• Practice 8 TOEFL Integrated Writing Questions. Develop skills to combine information from different sources into a coherent essay.

Speaking Section

• Practice TOEFL speaking tasks, focusing on clear and concise responses. Complete at least three tasks per week.
• Work on improving pronunciation and intonation by mimicking native speakers. Record your responses and review them.
• Example Speaking Topics: Talk about personal experiences, describe favorite places, and express opinions on various issues.
• Complete Specific Speaking Questions:
  • 14 questions of independent speaking question 1
  • 14 questions of independent speaking question 2
  • 6 questions of integrated speaking question 3
  • 8 questions of integrated speaking question 4
  • 6 questions of integrated speaking question 5
  • 8 questions of integrated speaking question 6

TOEFL Simulated Test

• Full-Length Test: Take a full-length simulated TOEFL test to assess your current level. Use the results to identify areas for improvement.
• Review Results: Thoroughly review the test results. Focus on understanding mistakes and developing strategies to avoid them in the future.
• Test Preparation Tips: Create a quiet test environment, time each section accurately, and simulate exam conditions as closely as possible.

In the third month, you will focus on advancing your skills and tackling more complex tasks. This month emphasizes critical reading, advanced listening, refining your writing, and improving your speaking fluency. Additionally, you will take another TOEFL simulated test to measure your progress.

Reading Section

• Read and analyze more complex and challenging passages. Focus on understanding nuanced meanings and inferences.
• Practice speed reading techniques to improve reading efficiency without losing comprehension.
• Complete TOEFL advanced reading lessons to enhance your skills.
• Example Practice Topics: Articles on philosophical ideas, scientific research, and literary analysis.
• Complete 20 TOEFL Reading Exercises to enhance comprehension skills and speed.

Listening Section

• Listen to more complex and academic audio materials. Focus on understanding the main ideas and supporting details.
• Participate in interactive listening exercises that require immediate responses.
• Example Listening Topics: Academic lectures on psychology, engineering, and environmental science.
• Complete Listening Exercises in Specific Categories:
  • 9 exercises in the “History” category
  • 5 exercises in the “Art History” category
  • 3 exercises in the “Architecture” category
  • 2 exercises in the “Human Biology” category
  • 2 exercises in the “Ecology” category

Writing Section

• Continue writing essays with a focus on refining structure, coherence, and argumentation. Write at least two essays per week.
• Use feedback from previous essays into new writing tasks to continuously improve.
• Example Writing Topics: Write essays on current global issues, technological advancements, and cultural differences.
• Complete All TOEFL Integrated Writing Lessons.
• Practice 8 TOEFL Integrated Writing Questions: Enhance your ability to integrate information from multiple sources.
• Write Independent Writing Essays:
  • 8 essays for the “Preference” questions.
  • 4 essays for the “Comparison and Contrast” questions.

Speaking Section

• Participate in mock speaking interviews with peers or tutors to simulate the exam environment.
• Practice speaking on a wide variety of topics to build versatility and confidence.
• Engage in drills that focus on improving fluency and coherence in speaking tasks.
• Example Speaking Topics: Discuss your career goals, explain a challenging situation, and share your opinion on societal trends.
• Complete Specific Speaking Questions:
  • 14 questions of independent speaking question 1
  • 14 questions of independent speaking question 2
  • 6 questions of integrated speaking question 3
  • 8 questions of integrated speaking question 4
  • 6 questions of integrated speaking question 5
  • 8 questions of integrated speaking question 6

TOEFL Simulated Test

• Second Simulated Test: Take another full-length TOEFL test to measure progress. Compare results with the previous test to identify improvements and remaining weaknesses.
• Review Results: Analyze your performance in detail. Focus on areas where you need further improvement.
• Test Preparation Tips: Simulate exam conditions by creating a quiet test environment and timing each section accurately.

In the fourth month, you will continue to build on the progress made in the previous months. This month will emphasize refining your skills, increasing your practice intensity, and working on any remaining weaknesses.

Reading Section

• Engage in critical reading exercises. Focus on evaluating arguments and inferring meanings.
• Continue practicing reading sections under timed conditions to build speed and accuracy.
• Complete 20 TOEFL Reading Exercises to enhance comprehension and speed.
• Example Practice Topics: Articles on economic theories, literature analysis, and historical events.

Listening Section

• Focus on drills that test comprehension of lectures and conversations. Practice summarizing audio content.
• Engage in interactive listening and discussion sessions with peers to enhance understanding.
• Example Listening Topics: Listen to academic lectures on anthropology, physics, and sociology.
• Complete Listening Exercises in Specific Categories:
  • 7 exercises in the “Earth Science” category
  • 4 exercises in the “Literature” category
  • 4 exercises in the “Marine Biology” category
  • 1 exercise in the “Marketing” category
  • 2 exercises in the “Psychology” category
  • 4 exercises in the “Geology” category

Writing Section

• Increase the frequency of integrated writing tasks. Aim to complete two tasks per week.
• Work on improving the academic style and tone of your essays. Focus on clarity and conciseness.
• Example Writing Topics: Write essays discussing the impacts of global warming, advancements in technology, and cultural exchanges.
• Ensure you have reviewed and understood all the TOEFL integrated writing lessons.
• Practice 8 TOEFL Integrated Writing Questions. Continue enhancing your ability to combine information from different sources.
• Write Independent Writing Essays:
  • 8 essays for the “If / Imaginary” questions.
  • 4 essays for the “Comparison and Contrast” questions.

Speaking Section

• Engage in drills that focus on improving fluency and coherence in speaking tasks.
• Record and share speaking responses with peers for constructive feedback.
• Discuss your educational experiences, describe a significant historical event, and express your views on modern technology.
• Complete Specific Speaking Questions:
  • 14 questions of independent speaking question 1
  • 14 questions of independent speaking question 2
  • 6 questions of integrated speaking question 3
  • 8 questions of integrated speaking question 4
  • 6 questions of integrated speaking question 5
  • 8 questions of integrated speaking question 6

TOEFL Simulated Test

• Third Simulated Test: Take another full-length TOEFL test to measure progress. Compare results with the previous test to identify improvements and remaining weaknesses.
• Review Results: Analyze your performance in detail. Focus on areas where you need further improvement.
• Test Preparation Tips: Simulate exam conditions by creating a quiet test environment and timing each section accurately.

In the fifth month, focus on reviewing everything you have studied over the past four months. This month is about strengthening your knowledge, practicing consistently, and addressing any remaining weaknesses.

In the sixth and final month, concentrate on a complete review of everything you have learned. This is the time to solidify your preparation and ensure you are ready for the exam.

TOEFL Simulated Test 4

• Take a final full-length TOEFL test to assess your readiness.
• Review all your work and focus on any last-minute improvements.

Also Read :

• How is the TOEFL writing exam structured?
• What are the 4 sections of the TOEFL test?
• Is TOEFL speaking face to face?
• TOEFL Preparation Tips for Beginners 2024

What is the best way to start a 6-month TOEFL study plan?

Begin by building a strong foundation in English grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. Dedicate the first month to enhancing these basic skills before moving on to specific TOEFL sections.

How should I structure my TOEFL study plan for six months?

Divide your study plan into monthly sections focusing on reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Increase the intensity and complexity of practice materials each month.

How often should I take TOEFL practice tests in a 6-month study plan?

Take a simulated TOEFL test every two months to measure your progress. In the final month, take one more test to assess your readiness.

Is the TOEFL more difficult than the IELTS?

The difficulty depends on individual strengths. TOEFL is more focused on American English, while IELTS includes British and other English accents. TOEFL has more multiple-choice questions, whereas IELTS has varied question types.

How many sections are there in the TOEFL test?

The TOEFL test consists of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each section assesses different language skills.

Are there two kinds of TOEFL?

Yes, there are two types: TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) and TOEFL PBT (paper-based test). The iBT is more commonly used and widely accepted.