Every year, thousands of TOEFL test-takers hit the same wall: 24. 25. 24. Again. And again. If this sounds like you, you're not alone—and you’re not broken. You’re just missing a better way to train.
This post is the summary of a "deeper dive" from one of my "pump calls" for my Elite TOEFL Speaking group. You can watch the whole 90-minute Zoom call here.
In this post, I’ll share the most important advice and tactics from this coaching session I hosted with real TOEFL test-takers—many of whom have taken the test 20+ times.
You’ll learn what works, what doesn’t, and how to finally break through the hardest part of the TOEFL Speaking mountain: getting from 25 to 26.
🎯 The Core Idea: TOEFL Speaking Is Its Own Genre
TOEFL Speaking isn’t conversation. It’s not academic English. It’s its own thing—its own genre.
Think of it like becoming the world’s best wedding speech giver. There’s a format, a rhythm, a set of expectations. And the more you train for that specific performance style, the better you’ll do.
🗣️ “You don’t need more theory. You need data-powered practice.”
🧱 The TOEFL Speaking Success Formula
There are only three kinds of problems in TOEFL Speaking. And they must be solved in this order:
1. Structure
Can you organize your response with the right framework and transitions?
2. Content
Can you develop clear, relevant reasons with specific examples?
3. Speed
Can you deliver that content at 150+ words per minute without awkward pauses?
You solve these one at a time. Not all at once.
🔍 Task-by-Task Strategy Breakdown
🔹 Task 1: Paired Choice
This is where most test-takers panic.
Your goal: Pick one side quickly and use the “Good Thing / Bad Thing” strategy.
📊 Sample Task 1 Template
Practice tip: Play “coffee or tea?” games with yourself all day. Make up binary prompts and respond on the fly.
🔹 Task 2 & 3: Reading + Listening
Framework:
“The [man/woman] in the conversation strongly [supports/opposes] the university’s plan for two reasons…”
Then give Reason 1 + Example, and Reason 2 + Example.
📝 Note-taking tips:
- Only write 40–50 words
- Organize notes to match your response flow
- Don’t write down the entire lecture—capture only what you need to speak fluently
🚀 The 150 WPM Rule
If you want 26+, your speaking rate must be at least 150 words per minute. That’s the gold standard.
Below 130 WPM? You’re almost guaranteed to get stuck in the 23–25 range.
Above 190 WPM? You risk sounding like white noise.
Practice reading aloud 150-word texts daily. Use a Chrome extension like Word Counter Plus to highlight the right length and train your rhythm.
❌ Why You Might Be Stuck
Here are the top three reasons TOEFL test-takers hit the wall:
1. False Hope
“If I keep trying, maybe I’ll get lucky.”
No, you won’t. You’re not failing because of the test. You’re failing because your approach hasn’t changed.
2. Bad Habits
You freeze up on test day and go back to your old style. The one that already got you a 24. You must reprogram your instinct.
3. Ineffective Practice
“I practice 2 hours a day. Why aren’t I improving?”
Because repetition isn’t progress. You need deliberate practice, not just more hours.
✅ What To Do Instead
- Fix structure first.
Master your frameworks for each task. Use the grid method or Jun’s “universal reasons” list. - Then fix content.
Give specific examples. Stop using vague phrases like “this is important in life.” - Then fix speed.
Use SpeechRater or My Speaking Score to monitor your speaking rate. Aim for 150 WPM. - Don’t just generate 100 reports.
Focus on one weak area. Repair it. Then check the data. - Practice with intensity.
No Netflix in the background. No baby in the room. 30–90 minutes of focused, quiet, deliberate practice per day.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why do I always score 24 or 25?
Because your responses are getting 3s across all tasks. To get 26+, you need at least two 4s and two 3s. That means you need to be perfect on at least two tasks.
Q: Can grammar or vocabulary alone hold me back?
Not usually. Delivery and fluency are more important. But consistent grammar issues (e.g., subject-verb agreement, missing -s) can drag you down.
Q: Does SpeechRater count mistakes in pronunciation?
Yes. If native speakers can’t easily understand your speech (e.g., missing -ed endings or distorted vowels), you lose points in intelligibility and fluency.
Q: What’s the fastest way to improve?
Find your weakest construct (structure, content, or speed), fix it in one task (e.g., Task 1), then check for improvement. Don’t try to fix everything at once.
Q: Should I take fluency classes?
If pronunciation is holding you back, yes. Even a few sessions with a coach who gives targeted corrections (e.g., dropped -s, rhythm issues) can help.
🏁 Final Words: You're Closer Than You Think
“You’re not 10 points away. You’re two tasks away. That’s the difference between 25 and 26.”
This is a solvable problem. And it doesn’t require eight hours a day or fifty test attempts. It requires a plan, data, and practice that’s designed to move the needle—deliberately.