🎯 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!