Score requirements vary by institution and program—most U.S. colleges require scores between 70-100, while competitive universities often expect 90-110 or higher. Graduate programs and professional certifications may have different thresholds depending on the field. Varsity Tutors can connect you with tutors who understand specific program requirements and can help you target the score you need.

Many students struggle with the speaking section, which requires clear pronunciation and natural pacing under time pressure. The listening section is challenging because test-takers hear academic lectures only once and must take notes while understanding complex content. Reading comprehension requires both vocabulary knowledge and the ability to identify main ideas quickly. Personalized tutoring addresses these specific weak points rather than reviewing material you already know well.

In a typical Milwaukee classroom with a 20.5:1 student-teacher ratio, instructors can't customize lessons to your specific needs—whether that's strengthening listening skills, reducing pronunciation anxiety, or mastering academic vocabulary. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction lets you focus entirely on your weak areas, practice speaking with immediate feedback, and work at your own pace. Tutors can also tailor lessons to your target schools' specific requirements and test format changes.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of consistent preparation, though timeline varies based on current English proficiency and target score. Students starting from an intermediate level may need 3-4 months, while those already near their goal score might prepare in 4-6 weeks. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can assess your baseline and create a realistic timeline tailored to your application deadlines.

Your first session focuses on understanding your current English level, identifying your strongest and weakest skill areas (reading, writing, listening, or speaking), and learning about your target schools and score goals. The tutor may administer a practice test or section to assess where to focus your preparation. From there, you'll develop a personalized study plan that prioritizes the areas where you'll see the most improvement.

The speaking section is difficult to practice alone—you need someone to listen, evaluate your pronunciation and grammar, and provide real-time feedback. Tutors can conduct mock speaking tasks, help you organize your thoughts quickly, reduce filler words and hesitations, and build confidence speaking about unfamiliar academic topics. Regular speaking practice with constructive feedback is one of the fastest ways to raise your speaking score.

Varsity Tutors matches you with tutors who have expertise in TOEFL preparation and understand your specific goals. After you share your current level, target score, and timeline, you'll be connected with qualified tutors who can work with your schedule. Most students start with an initial consultation to ensure the tutoring approach aligns with your needs before committing to a full program.