How I Passed the TOEFL with a 107 and the INBDE on My First Try

If you're a foreign-trained dentist preparing to practice in the U.S., then you already know—two exams stand between you and your next step:

• ✅ The TOEFL (to prove your English skills)
• ✅ The INBDE (to prove your dental knowledge)

I took both. And I passed both:

• 📍 TOEFL: 107
• 📍 INBDE: First attempt, no retake needed

But here's what matters: when I started, I didn't have perfect English. I had graduated years earlier. And I didn't have mentors, tutors, or fancy programs.

What I did have? Focus, strategy, and the ability to make the most of what I had.

🗣️ TOEFL: From B1 English to 107

When I first decided to take the TOEFL, I was far from fluent. I was probably B1 level—understood basic things, but watching movies or holding fluent conversations felt overwhelming. I gave myself 3 months. And I took it seriously.

Here's what I did:

• 🔹 I turned my entire life into an English-speaking environment—phone, movies, conversations with my husband.
• 🔹 I watched English movies with no subtitles, paused after every line, translated what I didn't know, and took notes.
• 🔹 I kept vocab notes all over my phone and used sticky notes on the walls in every room.

I used two books that changed everything for me:

• 📘 Cracking the TOEFL iBT (2019) — I created flashcards and stuck them everywhere.
• 📗 Delta's Key to the TOEFL iBT — Helped me understand how the test is built, find patterns, and develop strategy.

For Speaking and Writing, I followed NoteFull's free online course, using their templates to structure my answers and take notes effectively.

And most importantly—I practiced. Every day. For hours.

🎯 I scored 107 on my very first attempt.

Two years later, when I had to retake it (because my scores expired), I only needed 2 days to prepare. I used the same resources + ChatGPT to practice speaking, and I was ready.

🦷 INBDE: The First Year, Zero Support, One Shot

In 2021, I took the INBDE during its very first cycle. Resources were almost non-existent. Many platforms you see now didn't even exist back then.

I graduated in 2013, so I didn't have fresh knowledge to rely on. I had to rebuild the entire foundation while using my clinical experience to help with case-based scenarios.

I discovered the TSB course in a Facebook group. Their structure—organized topics, visual explanations, and real-exam-style quizzes—helped me focus and identify my weak areas. Their mock exams were super helpful in adjusting to the INBDE's format. I studied for 6 months, completely solo:

• 🔹 5–6 hours a day
• 🔹 Daily review + note-taking
• 🔹 Quizzes after every topic
• 🔹 Disconnecting every day after study time—hiking and sports helped me recharge
• 🔹 Starting each new day by reviewing the previous day's material

That rhythm saved me. I stayed consistent, and it paid off. 🎯 I passed the INBDE on my first and only attempt.

🎯 What I'd Do If I Took These Exams Today

TOEFL and INBDE prep options have grown. Here's what I'd recommend now:

✅ For TOEFL:

• Use ChatGPT for speaking simulations
• Stick with tried-and-true books: Delta's Key and Cracking the TOEFL
• Use NoteFull templates to avoid freezing on test day
• Join Telegram/Facebook/WhatsApp groups to find study partners and shared resources

✅ For INBDE:

• Use INBDE Booster or Bootcamp — more current and structured than what I used back then
• Watch Mental Dental videos — quick refreshers, great explanations
• Supplement with Dental Decks
• Join Telegram or WhatsApp groups — full of files, explanations, and moral support
• Use ChatGPT for fast answers when you're stuck (but double-check them)

📚 Want Everything in One Place?

All these strategies (and more) helped me get accepted into 3 top U.S. dental schools out of the 7 I applied to. And now I've created the resources I wish I had when I was just starting out.

📘 If you want to prepare for the TOEFL and INBDE effectively and pass on your first attempt, I've created a dedicated guide just for that. It includes:

• ✔️ Complete breakdown of INBDE and TOEFL test formats, content, and scoring systems
• ✔️ Updated INBDE changes (2024-2027 roadmap, scoring fairness, performance standards)
• ✔️ Official links to ADA/JCNDE and ETS resources, candidate guides, and test policies
• ✔️ Comprehensive list of best paid and free prep courses with comparisons
• ✔️ My personal strategy to pass INBDE on the first try and score 107/105 on TOEFL
• ✔️ Free Google Drive folders with PDFs, flashcards, notes, cheat sheets, and lecture videos
• ✔️ Direct links to active study groups (Telegram, WhatsApp, Facebook, Reddit)
• ✔️ Templates and sample answers for TOEFL writing & speaking
• ✔️ Preparation checklists, strategy charts, mistake logs, and realistic practice routines

You don't want to miss this if you're serious about passing fast and smart.

🎯 And if you want to go even deeper—from strategically choosing the right dental schools to writing your personal statement, passing exams, acing the interview and bench test—then I've got you covered in the FULL APPLICATION BUNDLE.

Everything you need to crush every step of the dental school journey is inside.

Click here to get the INBDE + TOEFL Mastery Guide and Full Bundle. Let's get you into dental school—without the stress and second-guessing.