Taking a test can be daunting. Before your test it's normal to worry about the questions, the topics covered and whether you’ve prepared enough.
But here’s the thing...
With the right preparation and mindset, you can go into your TOEFL test feeling confident, looking forward to showing off your English skills, instead of worrying about the mechanics of the exam.
With this in mind, here’s how you can feel confident going into your TOEFL test.
One of the best ways to eliminate fear is to remove the unknown. If you want to feel confident going into your TOEFL test, you should be so familiar with the test format that it bores you.
You should know:
The best way to do this is to take advantage of TOEFL’s practice tests. On the official TOEFL website you can find full length practice tests, eBooks, guides, and more.
You can use this link to find out more: https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/prepare.html?version=before-jan-2026
Top Tip: As part of your study sessions, you want to not only take practice tests but also take them under timed conditions. This will better prepare you for how the questions will flow on test day.
While completing an entire TOEFL test every day might feel like a little much, you can give yourself “mini tests” to focus on certain sections of the exam.
For example:
For your speaking section, answer a TOEFL style question while using a timer. Complete this 3-5 times and then analyze your performance.
For your writing section, complete a short, timed essay, then use TOEFL scoring metrics to assess your writing.
For the reading and listening sections, practice scanning texts, then giving yourself a timeframe to summarize the main ideas.
These short spurts of preparation keep your mind fresh while preparing you for test day.
No matter how much you prepare sometimes the pressure can cause you to make a mistake. While many test takers freeze when this happens, you can prepare using the 5-second rule.
When you make a mistake, don’t panic. Instead, take a slow, deep breath and think of a simple idea. You can then structure your answer around this idea, building on the preparation you’ve already completed.
Here’s the thing about confidence. You can be strong in all areas but one, but that one will be the area you worry about most. Instead of worrying about what could go wrong, use your time to analyze your weaknesses and improve them.
Do you have a particular area that makes you nervous?
Is one skill in particular bringing down your score?
Is there a section you dread before you start?
This is the section you need to focus on. While this may feel uncomfortable at first, your weakest section could soon become your favorite. Spend an extra 10 to 20 minutes on the section each time you study, and you’ll go into your exam knowing that no section can hold you back.
Learning English can feel like a roller coaster. One week you feel like you’re making progress, the next you feel as if you don’t know anything. While this is part of the process, tracking your progress can help you in those moments where you don’t feel like studying anymore.
Each week write down:
This list will keep you focused on your progress and help you build self-belief as you move through your study program.
While you can’t take the test itself, you can mentally prepare for test day.
You can do this at home by taking practice tests under “test circumstances” using a timer and locking away your study resources. You can even set up a second camera and have your friend play the role of proctor to assess your test.
Mental preparation is also key. You can visualize yourself feeling confident before the exam, acing each individual section and celebrating when finished.
Just make sure you do the preparation to make this vision a reality!
While TOEFL is designed to assess your English proficiency, the exam isn’t designed to test perfection. You can get a high grade without having an English accent, without having perfect grammar and without understanding every complex word.
The test looks at your ability to communicate.
You don’t need to sound like a native speaker. You need to be clear, coherent, and calm. That’s enough to get a high score.
Feeling confident going into your TOEFL test is all about preparation. Make sure you book your test well in advance to give yourself months to prepare. Build a weekly study schedule and assess your progress every week to ensure you’re learning effectively.
The better you prepare, the more confident you should feel on the day!
Check out our official tools and resources to maximize your confidence today: