TOEFL Secrets

atics. 8-10 hours of study will 
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 become one hundred percent more effective if it is spread out over a week or 
at least several days, instead of doing it all in one sitting. Recognize that the 
human brain requires time in order to assimilate new material, so frequent 
breaks and a span of study time over several days will be much more 
beneficial. 
Additionally, don’t study right up until the point of the exam. Studying should 
stop a minimum of one hour before the exam begins. This allows the brain to 
rest and put things in their proper order. This will also provide the time to 
become as relaxed as possible when going into the examination room. The 
test-taker will also have time to eat well and eat sensibly. Know that the brain 
needs food as much as the rest of the body. With enough food and enough 
sleep, as well as a relaxed attitude, the body and the mind are primed for 
success. 
Avoid any anxious classmates who are talking about the exam. These 
students only spread anxiety, and are not worth sharing the anxious 
sentimentalities. 
Before the test also involves creating a positive attitude, so mental 
preparation should also be a point of concentration. There are many keys to 
creating a positive attitude. Should fears become rushing in, make a 
visualization of taking the exam, doing well, and seeing an A written on the 
paper. Write out a list of affirmations that will bring a feeling of confidence, 
such as “I am doing well in my English class,” “I studied well and know my 
material,” “I enjoy this class.” Even if the affirmations aren’t believed at first, it 
sends a positive message to the subconscious which will result in an 
alteration of the overall belief system, which is the system that creates reality. 
If a sensation of panic begins, work with the fear and imagine the very worst! 
Work through the entire scenario of not passing the test, failing the entire 
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 course, and dropping out of school, followed by not getting a job, and pushing 
a shopping cart through the dark alley where you’ll live. This will place things 
into perspective! Then, practice deep breathing and create a visualization of 
the opposite situation - achieving an “A” on the exam, passing the entire 
course, receiving the degree at a graduation ceremony. 
On the day of the test, there are many things to be done to ensure the best 
results, as well as the most calm outlook. The following stages are suggested 
in order to maximize test-taking potential: 
Begin the examination day with a moderate breakfast, and avoid any coffee 
or beverages with caffeine if the test taker is prone to jitters. Even people 
who are used to managing caffeine can feel jittery or light-headed when it is 
taken on a test day. 
Attempt to do something that is relaxing before the examination begins. As 
last minute cramming clouds the mastering of overall concepts, it is better to 
use this time to create a calming outlook. 
Be certain to arrive at the test location well in advance, in order to provide 
time to select a location that is away from doors, windows and other 
distractions, as well as giving enough time to relax before the test begins. 
Keep away from anxiety generating classmates who will upset the sensation 
of stability and relaxation that is being attempted before the exam. 
Should the waiting period before the exam begins cause anxiety, create a 
self-distraction by reading a light magazine or something else that is relaxing 
and simple. 
During the exam itself, read the entire exam from beginning to end, and find 
out how much time should be allotted to each individual problem. Once 
writing the exam, should more time be taken for a problem, it should be 
abandoned, in order to begin another problem. If there is time at the end, the 
unfinished problem can always be returned to and completed. 
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Read the instructions very carefully - twice - so that unpleasant surprises 
won’t follow during or after the exam has ended. 
When writing the exam, pretend that the situation is actually simply the 
completion of homework within a library, or at home. This will assist in 
forming a relaxed atmosphere, and will allow the brain extra focus for the 
complex thinking function. 
Begin the exam with all of the questions with which the most confidence is 
felt. This will build the confidence level regarding the entire exam and will 
begin a quality momentum. This will also create encouragement for trying the 
problems where uncertainty resides. 
Going with the “gut instinct” is always the way to go when solving a problem. 
Second guessing should be avoided at all costs. Have confidence in the 
ability to do well. 
For essay questions, create an outline in advance that will keep the mind 
organized and make certain that all of the points are remembered. For 
multiple choice, read every answer, even if the correct one has been spotted - 
a better one may exist. 
Continue at a pace that is reasonable and not rushed, in order to be able to 
work carefully. Provide enough time to go over the answers at the end, to 
check for small errors that can be corrected. 
Should a feeling of panic begin, breathe deeply, and think of the feeling of the 
body releasing sand through its pores. Visualize a calm, peaceful place, and 
include all of the sights, sounds and sensations of this image. Continue the 
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 deep breathing, and take a few minutes to continue this with closed eyes. 
When all is well again, return to the test. 
If a “blanking” occurs for a certain question, skip it and move on to the next 
question. There will be time to return to the other question later. Get 
everything done that can be done, first, to guarantee all the grades that can 
be compiled, and to build all of the confidence possible. Then return to the 
weaker questions to build the marks from there. 
Remember, one’s own reality can be created, so as long as the belief is there, 
success will follow. And remember: anxiety can happen later, right now, 
there’s an exam to be written! 
After the examination is complete, whether there is a feeling for a good grade 
or a bad grade, don’t dwell on the exam, and be certain to follow through on 
the reward that was promised…and enjoy it! Don’t dwell on any mistakes that 
have been made, as there is nothing that can be done at this point anyway. 
Additionally, don’t begin to study for the next test right away. Do something 
relaxing for a while, and let the mind relax and prepare itself to begin 
absorbing information again. 
From the results of the exam - both the grade and the entire experience, be 
certain to learn from what has gone on. Perfect studying habits and work 
some more on confidence in order to make the next examination experience 
even better than the last one. 
Learn to avoid places where openings occurred for laziness, procrastination 
and day dreaming. 
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 Use the time between this exam and the next one to better learn to relax, 
even learning to relax on cue, so that any anxiety can be controlled during the 
next exam. Learn how to relax the body. Slouch in your chair if that helps. 
Tighten and then relax all of the different muscle groups, one group at a time, 
beginning with the feet and then working all the way up to the neck and face. 
This will ultimately relax the muscles more than they were to begin with. 
Learn how to breath deeply and comfortably, and focus on this breathing 
going in and out as a relaxing thought. With every exhale, repeat the word 
“relax.” 
As common as test anxiety is, it is very possible to overcome it. Make 
yourself one of the test-takers who overcome this frustrating hindrance. 
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 Special Report: Additional Bonus Material 
Due to our efforts to try to keep this book to a manageable length, we’ve 
created a link that will give you access to all of your additional bonus material. 
Please visit  to access the information. 
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