TOEFL FOR FOREIGN GRADUATE PHARMACIST

I sit in for the TOEFL iBT last May 30, 2008 in Ontario, CA. This is my first attempt for the test and I was very anxious since the requirement for the National Pharmacy Board is too high in some areas for instance in a scale of 30 we need 26 for the speaking which is around 89%. This has been the waterloo of most pharmacist intern. Thankfully, I was able to meet all the requirements and I will be able to start to work as an intern already. There are several materials that I used for this exam. I wouldn’t personally recommend it for everybody because that is just how I react when I am stressed. Books are my security blanket. To mention some of what I have are Barrons 12 ed. TOEFL iBT this is helpful as a practice test, Princeton’s TOEFL iBT is more of techniques which I will highly recommend, another is the ets official guide since it is from the test takers themselves this is good view of what is to be expected for the test, and Longmans speaking guide focused more on the speaking section. Although I have this books, I never had a chance to read everything. Well not because of time constraints, it was more of I am lazy to do so. I had two months to prepare for the test but in most days I would only put 2-4 hours a day, I think 3 weeks of 8 hours study would be enough to prepare for this test. The reason why I had two months is because that was the only date available in our location. There are a lot of people taking the test so depending on the area one should schedule the test months ahead. Also, I studied how to type faster since in our country in the Philippines we didn’t have this subject to improve our skill. It is important to learn this since for the writing section the time is limited, it is already hard enough to compose an essay that is why it would be an advantage to learn how to type faster. I underestimated the reading section, that is why after my exam that is the area that I was worried the most. During the practice test, I would often get a high score and I would even have spare time after each passage. This was totally different during the actual test. In the reading section, since this was the first area of test there were a lot of distraction since some of the test takers are just being seated and they are making noise as they test their microphone. This should be taken into consideration since I would often practice in a quiet environment. Listening part is the easiest and the dreaded Speaking part is easy if you did practice a lot by recording your answer so you can keep playing it back and improving your response. For all those taking this test, just practice a lot and put a lot prayers cause that always makes a difference and it has always been the key for me.

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7 Comments

  1. I was checking the Foreign Medical Graduate Website, they are not required to pass TOEFL. I think that is quite unfair for us that foreign physician are not required to pass TOEFL, they have similar deficiencies on their spoken english skills as well.Any foreign pharmacist interested can check at the Foreign Medical Graduate Website: http://www.ecfmg.org/2010ib/2010ib.pd... . Note: LOOK AT PAGE 21

  2. Thanks for this post. Congratulations! Actually, I’m more nervous about the TOEFL iBT than about the FPGEE. But just as you said, I believe that prayers and hard work are the keys to success. Nothing is impossible! 🙂

    1. I know after the FPGEE this is another tough obstacle. Just keep practicing since for this “practice makes perfect”. I felt stupid sometimes talking to myself and laugh when I hear my answer spontaneously but as you try to repeat it each day it gets better. I remember when I took the test for my answers were less formal and I sounded more comfortable rather than using proper words. I mean grammar is important but you need not use highfalutin words as long as you deliver the message properly in a timely manner.Best of luck. Keep us posted

  3. Please, I need some advise, I took TOEFL at least three time, nothing works out, always the same score. The reading and speaking are my big nightmare. I took the FPGEE since 2009, therefore, i have only two more years left. I don’t know what to do to pass this test. Please give me some advise.Judith

  4. Hi everyone, my question is that is it possible to take toefl after taking fpgee? Because in fpgec bulleton it is mentioned that toefl is required for fpgec! Im confused

      1. hi ar u pharmacist?bca im pahrmasit graduated in philipin i want to take fpgee but i heard they accepte 5 years studies but me 4 years studies i want to know do u have any information?thanks

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