Skip to content
TOEFLIBTee
GuidesStart practicing

Check this if you haven’t started to set a TOEFL Study plan yet!

Test prepUpdated 2 min read

If you've just started studying for the TOEFL iBT, the process can feel overwhelming, but everyone preparing for this test is in the same position. There's a lot to do, and a clear, written schedule is what keeps it manageable.

Fill in the blanks below to turn "I should study more" into an actual plan: a target score, the hours you need, and the exact times you'll sit down to study.

① Your Target Score

My target score is ______ on the TOEFL iBT test.

My current score (from my last test or a timed practice test) is ______. This means I need to improve by ______.

Note

Since January 2026, TOEFL iBT scores are reported on a 1–6 scale in half-band steps, for each section and overall. Score reports also show a comparable 0–120 score during a transition period through January 2028. Check which scale your university or program uses, and set your target on that scale.

② Time Left

There's no reliable formula for how many hours it takes to raise a score, so measure your own rate instead: study for two weeks, take another timed practice test, and divide the hours you studied by the improvement you saw. Until you have that number, make a cautious estimate and adjust it as you go.

My estimate: _____ hours of study for each step of improvement.

So… _____ (steps to improve) × _____ hours = ______ hours in total.

I need to find ______ hours to study for the TOEFL iBT before _________ (my test date or application deadline).

My deadline is ______ weeks from today.

______ total hours ÷ _______ weeks = _______ hours I need to study every week.

③ Time to Action

I can find ______ hours for studying on…

  • Mondays from ______ until _______.
  • Tuesdays from ______ until _______.
  • Wednesdays from ______ until _______.
  • Thursdays from ______ until _______.
  • Fridays from ______ until _______.
  • Saturdays from ______ until _______.
  • Sundays from ______ until _______.

If the weekly total doesn't add up, you have three options: find more hours, move your test date, or adjust your target.

④ Your Choices

To stay accountable and stick to my schedule, I will use…

  • A calendar app, with each study session booked as an event
  • A to-do or agenda app on my phone
  • A calendar app plus a study buddy who checks on my progress every week
  • A paper calendar on my fridge / bedroom door / bathroom mirror / ___________
  • Telling my friend ________________ when I'm studying so they can support me

Once your schedule is set, measure your starting point with the free, timed Reading practice set, and use TOEFL strategy & tips for section-by-section guidance.

Keep reading