Perfect Score: 6/6 (120/120)

How I Scored 120 on TOEFL 2026

I went from 98 to a perfect score in 8 weeks. Here's exactly what I did—and the strategies that actually matter.

Published 12 min read

Sally Qu

TOEFL Expert & Perfect Scorer

6/6 Score 120/120 PrepEx User
98
First Attempt
8 Weeks
with PrepEx
120
Perfect Score

Why I Think TOEFL 2026 Is Easier

The new format actually tests useful English skills

I took the old TOEFL three years ago and honestly? I hated it. The reading passages were about astronomy and geology—topics I had zero interest in. If you didn't know anything about the subject, you were at a disadvantage.

TOEFL 2026 is completely different. The reading section has everyday content like emails and announcements. The questions are practical: "Where would you find information about the student council?" That's something you'd actually need to do in college.

"I actually enjoyed taking this test. I never thought I'd say that about a standardized exam."

— My honest reaction after the test

The old TOEFL tested whether you could decode dense academic English. The new one tests whether you can use English in real situations. If you can have a normal conversation and write a coherent email, you can do well on TOEFL 2026.

My Email Writing Strategy (4 → 5.5)

The tip that actually boosted my score

When I first practiced email writing on PrepEx, I just answered the three bullet points and got a 4. I thought I was doing everything right—I addressed each point, used proper format, kept it professional. What was I missing?

The Key Insight
Don't just answer the bullet points—go beyond them. Add 1-2 extra supporting reasons to your main request. The bullet points are the minimum requirement. Extra relevant details show elaboration and push you from a 4 to 5+.

Here's an example. If the email asks you to write to your maintenance team about a heater issue, don't just say "My heater is broken." Add urgency: "I need this fixed as soon as possible because winter is approaching and temperatures are dropping."

Email Writing: My Exact Process
  • Read the prompt twice. Identify the main request and the three bullet points.
  • Answer all bullet points with Point-Evidence-Explanation structure.
  • Add 1-2 extra reasons that support your main request. Look for keywords in the prompt.
  • If running low on time, prioritize completing the email structure over adding more content. A finished email with greeting, body, and sign-off scores higher than an unfinished one.

Speaking: Just Talk Like a Person

No templates needed—seriously

The speaking section was the biggest surprise. For the old TOEFL, you had to memorize structures: "Point, evidence, explanation, link back to the passage, link back to the listening." It was exhausting.

For TOEFL 2026, I literally just talked. The interview questions were things like "What are your views on indoor exercising?" I said something like "I like it because I can do it anytime. I usually work out at home with my friends after dinner." That's it. Full marks.

What Actually Works
Speak naturally—like you're chatting with a friend. Don't waste time with formal intros like "In my opinion, I believe that..." Just state your answer, give a reason, and add an example from your life. Keep talking until time runs out.
Interview Speaking: What NOT to Do
  • Don't memorize templates. You'll sound robotic and waste time on filler phrases.
  • Don't pause too long thinking of the "perfect" answer. Start talking and figure it out as you go.
  • Don't give one-word answers. Even if the question is simple, expand with reasons and examples.

Reading & Listening Tips

Practical skills, practical tests

Reading felt way easier than the old format. It's all practical stuff—emails, daily scenarios, announcements. The questions test whether you can find information quickly, not whether you deeply understand particle physics.

My advice: practice skimming. The new format rewards speed over deep comprehension. For "Complete the Words" questions, they're pretty formulaic once you've done enough practice. You start recognizing patterns.

For listening, the clips are shorter than the old academic lectures. Choose Response questions are quick—short clips with practical scenarios. The announcements section tests real campus situations you'd actually encounter.

My 8-Week Prep Strategy

What I actually did every day

I used PrepEx exclusively. Here's why it worked:

Daily Practice Routine
  • Morning (30 min): 2-3 reading passages, focusing on speed and accuracy
  • Afternoon (30 min): Listening practice—Choose Response and announcements
  • Evening (30 min): One email writing + one speaking interview set

Total: ~90 minutes/day. Not crazy intense, but consistent. I did this 6 days a week for 8 weeks.

The PrepEx grading was accurate—actually a bit stricter than the real test. My practice speaking scores matched (or were lower than) my real scores, which was reassuring. If you can score well on PrepEx, you'll do at least as well on the actual exam.

Do You Need a Tutor?

My honest opinion

For the old TOEFL, tutoring centers had an advantage because they'd developed structured prep methods over years. For TOEFL 2026? Nobody has a structure yet. The format is too new.

That means self-study is just as effective—maybe more effective, because you can practice at your own pace. If you can hold a normal English conversation and you're willing to practice consistently, you don't need to pay for tutoring.

Bottom Line
TOEFL 2026 rewards real English fluency over test-taking tricks. If you have a solid foundation in English—enough to have everyday conversations—you can absolutely prepare on your own with a platform like PrepEx.

Start Your TOEFL 2026 Prep Today

The same platform that helped me go from 98 to 120. Practice all TOEFL 2026 task types with instant AI feedback—reading, listening, speaking, and writing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get 120 on TOEFL 2026?
I did it in 8 weeks with consistent daily practice (~90 minutes/day). But it depends on your starting level. If you're already comfortable with English conversations, you might need less time. If you're building foundational skills, give yourself more time.
Is TOEFL 2026 easier than the old TOEFL?
For most people, yes. It tests practical English skills—writing emails, having conversations, understanding everyday content. The old test required you to read dense academic passages about subjects like astronomy. If you have solid conversational English, TOEFL 2026 will feel more natural.
Do I need to memorize speaking templates?
No—that was the biggest surprise for me. The interview speaking section rewards natural conversation. Just talk like you're chatting with a friend. Give your opinion, add a reason, share a personal example. Templates will make you sound robotic.
What's the best strategy for email writing?
Answer all bullet points, then go beyond them. Add 1-2 extra supporting reasons to your main request. This is what pushed me from a 4 to 5.5. If you're running low on time, prioritize completing the email structure over adding more content.
Is PrepEx accurate for TOEFL 2026 practice?
Yes—the grading matched my real scores (or was slightly stricter). For reading and listening, it was very accurate. For speaking, my practice scores were lower than my actual scores, which meant I was pleasantly surprised on test day.

My final advice: Don't overthink it. TOEFL 2026 rewards real English skills, not test-taking tricks. Practice consistently, speak naturally, and go beyond the minimum in writing. You've got this.