Why I Took the GMAT Before TOEFL: A Study Abroad Strategy Breakdown

 

Why I Took the GMAT Before TOEFL: A Study Abroad Strategy Breakdown

Let’s just get one thing straight, applying for higher studies abroad especially in the US (I have only one reference — That’s Me!) isn’t about getting the perfect score on a few exams. It is a strategy game. Think Hunger Games but for Universities. I guess, that was too dramatic. But my point is, if you are juggling different tests, application deadlines and life’s constant chaos, the order in which you take the exams, then apply for the Colleges, request LORs and so on, can make or break your momentum.

Just because I was a crazy mess, doesn’t mean you have to be. So, let me give you a breakdown of why I chose to take the GMAT before TOEFL, what I learned from it, and whether or not YOU should do the same.

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🎯 The Original Plan: GMAT First, TOEFL Later

I knew I wanted to pursue a graduate program in the U.S. Something that combined my technical background in Engineering, my academic background in HR, my work experience in L&D with my love for research and teaching. Most programs required two things:

• A strong GMAT/GRE Score (mostly GMAT for business programs).
• A TOEFL Score to prove English proficiency.

Naturally, I felt “Let me get done with the toughest exam first.”

Spoiler alert: GMAT will crush your soul!

This is just me being real, no fluff.  

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⏳ Why I Prioritized the GMAT

1. Higher Weightage in Admissions

For many Graduate Programs, especially in Business or Organizational Strategy, the GMAT is seen as a core indicator of your analytical and verbal reasoning skills. Although TOEFL is seen as more of a formality like a checkmark that you’re fluent enough to survive grad school but it is important nonetheless.

Therefore, for me, logically it made more sense to dedicate my energy to the exam that would really help me. 

2. GMAT Prep Time is WAY Longer

I planned a solid 3–4 months of GMAT prep. Between Verbal Comprehension, Quant strategies, and Data Sufficiency (which I absolutely hated by the way), it was like training for an academic marathon. It was tough and totally drained me by the end of each week even though I had a clear-cut strategy and study schedule. In the initial days it felt like a LOT!

TOEFL, on the other hand, seemed more like a sprint, a quick weekend getaway. It felt intense like any other high tension, quick rewards exam, but manageable if you are like me who spent her entire academic years in English Medium Schools and Universities.

3. Valid for Longer

The GMAT score is valid for 5 years, while TOEFL is valid for only 2, from the date the test is taken. So even from a shelf-life point of view, it made sense to do the GMAT early and push TOEFL closer to the application season.

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🧠 What I Learned (the Hard Way)

By the time I finished the GMAT, I was exhausted, both mentally and physically. It seems like my willpower had drained and I was working away on leftover fuel. I didn’t realize how much brainpower it would require from me to complete one exam. Although, trust me I was relieved this was over but now I had something else waiting for me. The ‘Sprint’ that I thought was easy and kept it at the back of my mind was now slowly creeping upto me. TOEFL was now just two weeks away.

Why the “Two week margin”? Well, that’s because I had to start applying for my Universities, if I wanted to be considered as an early applicant. Which I did.

That’s how I ended up doing a two-week crash prep for TOEFL and scored a 105. (Yes, I wrote a whole blog on how I did it. You can read that here.)

If I could go back, would I space things out more? Absolutely. But I don’t regret doing GMAT first — because it gave me the confidence and rhythm to handle the rest of my application.

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📌 Should You Take GMAT Before TOEFL?

Here’s a decision-making guide for you: If you are 

✅ Applying to business/PhD programs that require GMAT- You can give GMAT first

✅ Strong in English but rusty in quant- You can give GMAT first.

🟡 Struggling with verbal/analytical writing- Maybe TOEFL first for a confidence boost

🟡 Facing tight timeline with rolling deadlines- It really depends on the school deadlines on which tests scores they want first along with your Application.

❌ Just understanding Tests in general with no clear plan yet- TOEFL first might make more sense

 

Your Situation	Take GMAT First?
Applying to business/PhD programs that require GMAT	✅ Yes
Strong in English but rusty in quant	✅ Yes
Struggling with verbal/analytical writing	🟡 Maybe TOEFL first for a confidence boost
Tight timeline with rolling deadlines	🟡 Depends on school deadlines
Just understanding Tests in general with no clear plan yet	❌ TOEFL first might make more sense

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💡 Final Thought: Know Your Bandwidth

Let’s be real — if you’re aiming for a 115+ TOEFL, you’ll likely need 2–3 months of focused prep, especially if English is NOT your first language. But if you’re in a time crunch like I was, and you already use English daily, then a strategic, focused 2-week push might just be your last resort.

Of course, you can retake tests and come back like an experienced candidate who knows better, however these exams are usually very expensive and not everyone can go through multiple attempts. Moreover, the mental toll it takes to get through them is something that should be kept in mind.

No one path fits all. But if you plan well, stay honest about your bandwidth, and prep with intention, I am sure you will make it through.

One exam at a time.

 

🎯 How I Scored 105 on the TOEFL With Just 2 Weeks of Preparation

 

🎯 How I Scored 105 on the TOEFL With Just 2 Weeks of Preparation

Let’s be real, if you want a TOEFL Score of 115–117, you need to start preparing at least 2–3 months in advance. No shortcuts. But, if you are like me and running out of time by the minute then give this Article a quick read. Here’s exactly how I tackled TOEFL prep in 14 days — and walked away with a score of 105.

🧠 Why I Took the TOEFL

As a PhD applicant aiming to study in the United States, I needed a strong TOEFL score to prove my English proficiency which is a mandate for every International Student. With a background in English-medium education and professional experience in communication training, I felt confident in my language skills — but TOEFL is more than just knowing English, and let me tell you it is not piece of Cake.

It’s about understanding the format, timing, and scoring strategy. And with only 2 weeks left before the exam date, I had to make every minute count. This is EXACTLY how I did it!

📅 Week 1: Build the Foundation and Stick to a Routine

✅ Step 1: Learn the Exam Format

Before diving into prep, I spent a day understanding the structure:

• Reading
• Listening
• Speaking
• Writing

I watched videos on the official ETS TOEFL YouTube channel, followed by quick explainers from a few Youtube Creators and Magoosh helped me as well to understand the basic structure of the Test.

✅ Step 2: Take a Diagnostic Test

Using a free sample test from ETS, I assessed my strengths and weaknesses. Although Reading and Writing needed some polishing but the results were quite evident and just what I thought — Listening and Speaking needed the most work.

✅ Step 3: My Daily Routine (2–3 hrs/day)

I structured my prep like this:

• 🧾 1 Reading passage
• 🎧 1 Listening section
• 🎤 15 minutes of speaking practice
• ✍️ 30 minutes of writing (on alternate days)
• 📚 Vocabulary review (Quizlet)

Although it might feel overwhelming but all you need to do is be consistent. The days I didn’t feel like completing a test, I looked into YouTube videos which showed how others are solving theirs. It also included short examples and best way to solve them. What helped me most is the various tips and tricks the educators shared that really helped me get a grip on my weakest points.

🔁 Week 2: Sharpening Skills and Taking Full-Length Tests

🎤 Speaking Practice

This was the game changer. This is what I did:

• Practiced daily speaking prompts (free test websites such as BestMyTest.com)
• Timed myself
• Recorded and evaluated using ETS rubrics
• Watched YouTube creators solving sample questions for benchmarking

I focused on clarity and coherence, not accent.

✍️ Writing Practice

For writing, I practiced both:

• Integrated tasks (based on reading + listening)
• Independent essays (short 150–200 words timed as well as untimed)

I followed a clear structure:

• Introduction with opinion (Why I agree or disagree with the statement)
• 2–3 body paragraphs with examples (adding personal experiences)
• Brief conclusion (What the experience taught me) 

The idea is tie your thoughts and opinions into a final thought. 

Used Grammarly and ETS rubrics for evaluation. If you are unable to find any online tests on writing that involves reading and listening, you could make use of ChatGPT to suggest prompts.

⏱️ Took 2 Full-Length Mock Tests

I took the First Full- Length Test on Day 10. Free simulated Tests are available on

· BestMyTest.com

· Testden

However, these require you to log-in/register and then complete the simulation. The Scoring is the same as TOEFL but does not share proper explanation. That is a paid feature.

If you want to purchase books to prepare, Cambridge TOEFL book is very helpful and has a lot of TOEFL iBt exam exercises. You can use the Online Practice Tests through this as well.

With the first simulated test of 2 hours I scored well but was still not able to cross the 100 Score mark. This meant I still had to pay a lot of attention to the Speaking Segment. The major issue I faced was the use of fillers and difficulty in channeling my thoughts into proper statements. Remember the preparation time is only 15–30 seconds and Speaking Time is 45–60 seconds which was proving to be very difficult for me.

For the Second Simulated Test I took it on Day 13 after focusing my time and effort on the Speaking Segment. Thankfully it went better than before and I finally Scored 102 which was okay but I knew I could do better.

This constant process of testing myself and working on my weakest parts helped me build stamina, manage timing, and reduce test-day anxiety.

📚 Free & Low-Cost Resources I Used

• ETS Official Guide to TOEFL (PDF version)
• Magoosh TOEFL YouTube Channel
• Notefull Speaking Tips
• Grammarly (for grammar + clarity)
• Quizlet (for Academic Vocabulary)
• Testden.com (Mock tests)

💡 Top 5 Quick Tips for Last-Minute TOEFL Prep

1. Don’t aim for perfection. Structure and clarity win.
2. Use templates for writing and speaking — they save time.
3. Speak out loud every day. Fluency builds fast.
4. Time everything. Overrunning is a common score-killer.
5. Take breaks. Overstudying can burn you out.

🏁 Final Thoughts

Getting a 105 on the TOEFL in two weeks is totally possible with the right strategy and commitment. You don’t need months of preparation or expensive coaching — you need focus, structure, and smart resources.

If you’re prepping for TOEFL or want help structuring your study plan, I’d love to connect!