TOEFL assesses four core skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. The test typically takes about 3 hours and is scored on a scale of 0-120. Each section measures your ability to understand and communicate in academic English, with questions based on university-level content and realistic classroom scenarios.

With personalized 1-on-1 instruction, a tutor can target your specific weak areas—whether that's understanding rapid English speech, organizing complex essays, or building academic vocabulary—rather than following a one-size-fits-all curriculum. Tutors also adapt pacing and teaching methods to your learning style, which research shows significantly accelerates progress compared to group classes.

Many students struggle with the Speaking section, which requires quick responses and clear pronunciation under time pressure. Others find the Listening section difficult because of accents and fast-paced academic lectures, or the Writing section because it demands organizing complex ideas in English with proper grammar. Personalized tutoring can address each of these challenges with targeted strategies and repeated practice.

Score improvement depends on your starting level and study commitment, but students typically see gains of 10-20 points with focused preparation over 8-12 weeks. The most significant improvements often come in the Speaking and Writing sections, where personalized feedback on your actual responses helps you understand exactly what test raters are looking for.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to identify your current strengths and weaknesses across all four sections. The tutor will discuss your target score, timeline, and learning goals, then create a customized study plan focused on the areas where you'll see the fastest improvement.

Most students benefit from 8-16 weeks of consistent preparation, depending on their starting level and target score. With personalized tutoring, you can often compress this timeline by focusing intensively on your specific weak areas rather than reviewing content you already know well.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in TOEFL preparation. Once you share your goals and availability, we match you with a tutor experienced in helping students reach their target scores, and you can start personalized sessions right away.