Hack #2: Listening Don’t take notes on everything. → Listen for transitions (but, however, actually) → Notes = only 3 things: main idea, attitude, changes. → If they repeat it twice → it’s on the test.
When the professor says: “Now, the traditional view was X, Y…” toefl hackers
Here’s a listening hack they don’t teach you. Hack #2: Listening Don’t take notes on everything
Hack #1: Reading Don’t read the passage first. → Skim topic sentences → Go straight to questions → ETS reuses the same 12 question types. Learn patterns, not paragraphs. When the professor says: “Now, the traditional view
Listening hack: If the professor says “interestingly…” → write down the next 3 words. That’s the question. If they say “remember when we discussed…” → that’s a trick – it won’t be tested.
❌ “You might want to consider practicing note-taking strategies.” ✅ “Your notes are wrong. Here’s the fix.”