(Please don’t follow them. Seriously.)
So you’re preparing for the TOEFL test. You’ve downloaded the apps, made a fresh study plan, and maybe even signed up for a prep course. Great start. But just for fun – let’s take a look at what not to do.
Here are 5 surefire strategies to sabotage your TOEFL success (and how to avoid them, obviously).
1. Turn the Speaking Section into a Therapy Session
The prompt: “Describe a time you helped a friend solve a problem.”
Your brain: “Let’s start with childhood trauma.”
We get it – emotions run deep. But TOEFL raters aren’t here for your life story. They want a clear, organized response, not an open mic night.
❌ Fail Strategy: Ramble, overshare, go off-topic.
✅ Better Idea: Stick to a simple structure – problem, action, result – and save the deep stuff for your journal.
2. Ignore the Clock
Sure, take your time. Read that passage three more times. Stare out the window. Maybe even check your texts. What could go wrong? Well… everything.
The TOEFL is timed for a reason. It’s not just about what you say – it’s about how quickly and clearly you can say it under pressure.
❌ Fail Strategy: Act like time is flexible. Pause mid-sentence. Spend five minutes planning your response. Answer one reading question really well — and run out of time for the other eleven.
✅ Better Idea: Train with a timer. Practice every section under real conditions. Learn what 45 seconds feels like. Build a rhythm so that pacing becomes second nature – not a panic moment.
Remember: TOEFL rewards clear thinking on the clock.
3. Use Fancy Words You Don’t Understand
Why say “important” when you could say “paramount”? Or better yet – “antidisestablishmentarianism”? Sounds impressive… unless you mispronounce it halfway through and forget what you were even talking about. Big words aren’t bonus points – clarity is.
❌ Fail Strategy: Throw in complex vocabulary you found on Reddit yesterday. Hope for the best. Confuse the grader (and yourself).
✅ Better Idea: Stick to words you actually know how to use. Choose accuracy over ambition. It's better to say something simple correctly than something complicated badly.
TOEFL isn’t testing how “fancy” you sound – it's testing how well you communicate.
4. Write Like It’s Instagram, Not an Academic Test
“This passage totally blew my mind lol 😭🔥”
Great for your group chat. Not so much for the TOEFL Writing section. TOEFL essays are meant to sound like something you’d write in a college class – not a comment under a meme.
❌ Fail Strategy: Use slang, emojis (yes, some people try), and ultra-casual phrasing, aiming to sound like a "real American" 🦅.
✅ Better Idea: Keep it formal, clear, and structured.
Use full sentences, logical transitions, and academic tone – but don’t sound like a robot. You’re writing for humans, just educated ones. Think: Email to a professor, not a tweet.
5. Cram Vocabulary the Night Before
What’s the best way to master a language? Obviously, stare at 500 flashcards at 2 AM while stress-eating pretzels. Right? Wrong.
Vocabulary is important – but TOEFL isn’t a spelling bee. It tests how well you can use language in context across reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
❌ Fail Strategy: Memorize words in isolation, panic, and hope “photosynthesis” magically comes up on the test.
✅ Better Idea: Learn vocabulary in action.
Read real texts. Watch videos. Practice using new words in sentences. Build depth, not just lists.
Because knowing a word is one thing – using it naturally under pressure? That’s what TOEFL is really about.
So… Ready to NOT fail the TOEFL test?
Avoiding these five traps is a great start – but real success comes from smart prep, structured practice, and a little help from people who know the test inside and out. That’s where we come in.
At ICLS, our TOEFL preparation courses are designed to build not just your test-taking skills, but your confidence. You’ll get:
- Small group or private class options
- Experienced instructors who actually teach, not just assign practice tests
- Targeted feedback on all four skills – speaking, listening, reading, and writing
- Real strategies, real progress, and even a few laughs along the way
Because toefl exam doesn’t have to feel like a trap. It can feel like a challenge you’re ready for.
[Explore TOEFL prep at ICLS]
