Week 1
Build a Solid Foundation: Know Yourself and the Test
In the first week of preparation, the most important thing is to lay a solid foundation: understand the content, section distribution, process, and key points of the new TOEFL test. Know what challenges you will face so you can prepare mentally. Sharpening the axe won't delay the job of chopping wood—this step is crucial!
Step 1: Understand the TOEFL Test
If you are not yet familiar with the content and format of the new TOEFL, it is recommended that you carefully study the Official Guide (OG) (preferably the bilingual Chinese-English version for better understanding).
Additionally, spend five to seven days doing the sample questions and examples in the book to gauge where you stand on the scoring scale—what your strengths and weaknesses are. As the saying goes: Know yourself and your opponent, and you will win every battle!
Step 2: Steadily Master Vocabulary
In addition to studying the OG, another crucial task must begin from week one: memorizing vocabulary!
Whether for reading, listening, speaking, or writing, vocabulary accumulation is an unavoidable step. In the reading section, a sufficient vocabulary is the guarantee of completing questions with quality and efficiency.
It is worth noting that vocabulary learning can be prioritized. For example, for less common nouns, you don't need to memorize detailed usage; just remember their meaning so you can recognize them in the test. But for key words, such as verbs and common adjectives, you need to master specific usages and be able to write and use them.
Tip: Don't overdo it—around 50 words a day is plenty. Consistency is what counts, and small steps add up!
Week 2 – Week 4
Focus on Reading and Listening, Warm Up Speaking and Writing
In the three weeks of this second phase, focus your review on reading and listening, and use these input skills to warm up your speaking and writing.
From the perspective of language transmission, reading and listening are input, while speaking and writing are output. Therefore, in the early review stage, it is recommended to focus on language input, which strengthens reading and listening skills while also accumulating materials for language output, cultivating a sense of the language, and laying a solid foundation.
Of course, this doesn't mean you should wait until you feel very proficient before starting writing practice; otherwise, you might delay too long. In fact, you can begin writing practice almost simultaneously with reading. From initially struggling to squeeze out a few words to gradually writing fluently and effortlessly, this is a process of progress through practice.
Also, TOEFL writing mainly tests everyday, life-related topics. Therefore, pay more attention to events around you. When writing, describe things in detail, organize logic clearly, and especially focus on the overall structure and coherence of the essay.
After finishing a reading passage, don't rush to the next one; instead, go back and treat that article as learning material, read it aloud repeatedly, and memorize and digest the new words. If time and energy permit, you can also do intensive reading analysis, extract and memorize useful phrases and sentence patterns. If you carefully study a reading passage, your vocabulary and grammar will improve greatly, which is highly effective for enhancing writing.
When using listening materials for practice, you can do shadowing exercises with the recordings. If the passages are not too academic, you can also try imitating the pronunciation and intonation, or use them for dictation. Moreover, by combining the original scripts, you can summarize many useful grammar and sentence patterns. Practice at this stage should focus on quality over quantity. Basically, ensure you do intensive practice on one or two reading passages and one or two listening sets each day, and alternate speaking and writing practice every other day..
But amid all the reading and listening, don't forget your daily homework—memorizing vocabulary!
Week 5 – Week 8
Full-Scale Launch: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing
This third stage lasts about four weeks and is a critical period for comprehensively improving all four skills. During this phase, we will conduct targeted practice for each of the four sections, strengthen areas we struggle with, and fill gaps.
The specific schedule can be adjusted according to your situation, but here is a sample reference:
Monday, Wednesday: Reading + Writing
Tuesday, Thursday: Listening + Speaking
Friday: Targeted reinforcement for weak areas (e.g., speaking drills)
Saturday: Complete a full set of practice questions and review
In this period, practice materials are not limited to TOEFL question banks or mock tests. Beyond intense practice, you can add news listening and reading, such as authentic audio and articles from American sources like CNN, VOA, The New York Times, and TV speech programs like TED Talks, which are similar in content and format to TOEFL. These are all excellent practice resources.
Of course, these materials are much more difficult than TOEFL questions, so you may find them challenging at first. Be mentally prepared!
Week 9 – Week 11
Return to Test Questions for Rapid Improvement
After a month of all-round training, your English should have improved solidly. In this fourth stage, 'Do questions! Lots of questions!' – real test simulations and targeted breakthroughs, don't miss any!
Week 12 – Week 13
Adjust Your Mindset and Sprint for a High Score
In the final two weeks, start by taking a TPO (TOEFL Practice Online) to experience real test conditions. After completing it, you should have a rough idea of your current level. Then, in the last half-month sprint, focus your efforts accordingly!
During this time, it's recommended to follow a balanced approach of combining section-specific practice with full-length tests. However, increase the frequency of full-length tests to about three times per week, strictly adhering to the exam timing to maintain test readiness. Also, shift your section-specific training somewhat toward your weakest areas, and slightly reduce the emphasis on your stronger sections, but don't completely neglect them.
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