Summary
Before: I had been studying TOEFL by myself relying only on test prep books and sticking to ineffective strategies. Despite all the efforts, my scores didn’t improve, especially in the Speaking and Writing sessions.
After: After taking a 4 hour TG tutoring session and getting my tutor’s detailed feedback, I changed my approaches and finally scored 95 at my first real TOEFL test! Listening and Writing scores, which I had little confidence in, improved significantly.
Why did you start studying for the TOEFL test, and what was your target score?
I needed a TOEFL score of 70 to 80 for a student exchange program. I scored 910 in TOEIC and got the IH level in OPIc, but I didn’t have a TOEFL score.
How did you prepare for the TOEFL test before meeting TG Tutoring?
I studied on my own, without any assistance from online courses or TOEFL classes.
For the Speaking section, I started with getting myself used to the test format.
I recorded my responses and asked others to listen to them to see if my responses were understandable enough.
For the Writing section, I wrote at least one essay a day using the template from my test prep book. Afterward, I compared my response with the model answer in the book.
Why did you need private tutoring?
I was self-confident in English tests, but TOEFL was much more challenging than the other tests I had taken before due to its length and difficulty of the topics and vocabulary. The Speaking and Writing sections, in particular, were too tough to prepare for by myself..
With only one month left for the exam, I found TestGlider. After taking the practice tests, I realized that I had improper approaches to the Speaking and Writing questions. Therefore, I signed up for the TG Tutoring session to get more detailed guidance.
How did you study for TOEFL with TG Tutoring?
I needed a curriculum focused intensively on the Speaking and Writing sections. My tutor assigned some Speaking and Writing practice questions before the session and then gave feedback and corrections to my responses during the session.
Also, my tutor advised me to focus more on the overall flow of my response rather than details such as misspellings or grammatical errors, and the advice proved right on the actual test.
Additionally, I made new templates for the writing responses based on my tutor’s advice. At first, I thought I should write more about the lecture in the integrated essay. However, to get a higher score, you should perform the given task in a balanced manner.
For the Reading section, my score had been fluctuating, so I focused on stabilizing my performance on the test.t.
Finally, I tried to apply all the strategies I learned from my tutor to the mock tests. This helped me a lot on the actual test.
What were the results of your TOEFL test after taking the TG tutoring session?
My final scores were RC 25/LC 26/SP 20/WR 24, with a total score of 95. I was especially pleased with my Writing and Listening scores because I had little confidence in those sections.
Do you recommend TestGlider membership with TG tutoring?
Of course, I highly recommend it!
You can make the best use of it when you take TG Tutoring sessions.
The membership also provides a realistic test experience, which you should consider before taking an actual test.
In addition, I used Glidy, the AI chatbot to get more tips and explanations about the questions. It was so helpful and interesting.
Are there any regrets about your TOEFL experience?
I wish I had met TG Tutoring earlier. I took a 4-hour session due to the lack of time left for the test, but had I taken more sessions, I would have been able to improve my scores more significantly. My tutor’s guidance and advice were so helpful.
Do you have any tips for TOEFL test-takers?
Start practicing with computer-based mock tests at least one month before your test. It would help if you get yourself used to the real test environment to do your best at the actual test.
Also, please keep in mind that you will take the test with other test-takers, which can be distracting. I recommend developing your strategy to remain focused on listening and speaking throughout the test.
What do you think is the strength of TG Tutoring?
You are matched with a tutor who perfectly fulfills your learning needs. I wanted a tutor with experience and expertise in improving the Speaking and Writing scores, and TG Tutoring matched me with the right one.
Also, flexible scheduling is a great benefit. You can take sessions any time of the day.
Analyze your weaknesses with TestGlider mock tests and boost your score with detailed feedback from TG tutors!
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