The 10 Best TOEFL Test Guides
This wiki has been updated 27 times since it was first published in January of 2017. International students seeking acceptance to English-language university programs generally take the TOEFL, which measures proficiency in the language. But scoring well requires more than just the ability to speak or comprehend; test takers also need an adequate vocabulary, strong writing skills, and even strategies specific to this exam, all of which can be learned from these handy test guides. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Official Guide
2. Cracking the TOEFL iBT
3. Barron's Superpack
Editor's Notes
August 26, 2019:
We’ve updated our choices to include all of the latest editions of the best TOEFL prep books, including the 2019 edition of Cracking the TOEFL and the 2020-2021 version of Kaplan Prep Plus. You’ll also find the fifth edition of our top pick, the Official Guide with DVD-ROM, from ETS. We elected to add two choices that are more general, the TOEFL iBT Preparation Book and the Mometrix Secrets Study Guide. Students who have the luxury of time may find these to be light on in-depth content; students who have left test prep to the last minute and need a quick overview with actionable strategies might find them to be just right. Finally, we also decided to add The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation for those who need to brush up on usage, grammar, or punctuation rules. Although it isn’t a TOEFL guide per se, it’s a great resource to add to your collection of guides, dictionaries, and assorted learning materials. It’s on the dry side, but it has tons of quizzes and questions that help you learn and practice, rather than read and forget.
Special Honors
Preply Sometimes, learning from a teacher is the best way to go, but what can you do if there aren’t any in your area? Luckily, with Preply, you won’t have to leave your house to get personalized instruction. Pricing varies, as do the qualifications of the individual instructors, so be sure to research potential teachers thoroughly. preply.com
Magoosh TOEFL Prep For those who want a highly interactive approach, but who aren’t quite ready for a personal tutor, Magoosh TOEFL Prep might be the way to go. This service provides a huge number of videos, practice questions, and more, and you can select from a week, a month, or six months of access. toefl.magoosh.com
4. Kaplan Prep Plus
5. Cambridge Preparation Book
6. 400 Must-Have Words
7. The Complete Guide to the TOEFL
8. TOEFL iBT Preparation Book
9. The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
10. Mometrix TOEFL Secrets
Melissa Harr is a language-obsessed writer from Chicagoland who holds both a bachelor of arts and master of arts in English. Although she began as a TEFL teacher, earning several teaching certificates and working in both Russia and Vietnam, she moved into freelance writing to satisfy her passion for the written word. She has published full-length courses and books in the realm of arts & crafts and DIY; in fact, most of her non-working time is spent knitting, cleaning, or committing acts of home improvement. Along with an extensive knowledge of tools, home goods, and crafts and organizational supplies, she has ample experience (okay, an obsession) with travel gear, luggage, and the electronics that make modern life more convenient.