Like IELTS, TOEFL is an English proficiency test used by universities primarily in the U.S. TOEFL’s main objective is to see whether you can study at a foreign university where English is the primary language.
Unlike IELTS, TOEFL only tests you on your English for academic purposes. If you are thinking of taking TOEFL, then a good prep book or online course is your first step towards studying at an international university.
There are hundreds of different books and courses in the market that promise perfect results but not all of these are the same in quality. This is why I have made a list of the 10 best TOEFL books and other online resources.
In this Article
- 10. TOEFL Pocket Vocabulary by Kaplan
- 9. TOEFL iBT: 8 Online Practice Tests by Barron’s
- 8. Princeton Review TOEFL iBT Prep
- 7. TOEFL Preparation Book by Mometrix
- 6. TOEFL Preparation Book by TPB
- 5. The Complete TOEFL iBT Success on Udemy
- 4. TOEFL iBT Prep Plus by Kaplan
- 3. The Official Guide to the TOEFL by ETS
- 2. ETS: TOEFL Test Preparation
- 1. Magoosh Online Prep
10. TOEFL Pocket Vocabulary by Kaplan
The first book on our list is not exactly a comprehensive TOEFL prep book but a pocket vocabulary book that contains the most common 600 words that you will encounter on TOEFL. It also features 420 idioms as well as practice questions.
Key Features:
- More than 500 words and more than 400 idioms in flashcard-like page design
- Definitions, parts of speech, and sample sentences for each word to help you learn the meanings in the context
- Content is focused on higher-level vocabulary and terms related to U.S. campus life.
- Practice exercises help you test your knowledge.
Get it here.
9. TOEFL iBT: 8 Online Practice Tests by Barron’s
This Barron’s TOEFL prep book is a comprehensive solution to TOEFL prep. It has eight full-length practice tests and a complete and detailed review of all the contents of the TEOFL test.
Key Features:
- Eight full-length TOEFL iBT practice tests with answer explanations.
- Eight one-hour practice tests
- A review of required academic and language skills with four video lessons and a grammar review. That supports the Speaking and Writing Sections.
- An online pronunciation guide that features over 200 campus flashcards with vocabulary terms, .and example sentences.
- MP3 audio files online for all prompts.
- A general overview of the TOEFL iBT.
- PowerPoint review presentations with handouts and resources for tutors and teachers.
Get it here.
8. Princeton Review TOEFL iBT Prep
Princeton Review’s TOEFL prep takes a more strategic approach to TOEFL preparation. It features step-by-step strategies for every section of the test and various lessons to help you identify the main ideas of a passage or lecture. You will also find a complete review of basic grammar and explain all the core TOEFL concepts.
Key Features:
- Step-by-step strategies for every section of the exam.
- One full-length simulated TOEFL iBT with accompanying audio sections on CD
- Lessons on how to identify the main ideas of a passage or lecture.
- Tips on how to effectively organize your thoughts.
- Grammar review to brush up on the basics.
- Expert subject reviews for the core concepts of the TOEFL iBT.
- Comprehensive guidance on how to write a high-scoring essay.
Get it here
7. TOEFL Preparation Book by Mometrix
Mometrix is a somewhat new company in the world of test prep, but their TOEFL and IELTS guides are very well regarded. Their TOEFL prep contains a practice test question with detailed explanations and step-by-step video tutorials that are available online.
Key Features:
- Practice test questions with detailed answer explanations.
- Step-by-step video tutorials to help you master difficult concepts.
- Tips and strategies to help you get your best test performance.
- A complete review of all TOEFL test sections.
Get it here.
6. TOEFL Preparation Book by TPB
TPB’s TOEFL prep is a comprehensive guide covering all the various sections of the test and provides a detailed explanation of all the main concepts and strategies.
Key Features:
- Quick Overview of the test.
- Test-Taking Strategies for a better score.
- Complete review of the Reading, listening, speaking, and writing sections.
- Practice Questions.
- Detailed Answer Explanations.
Get it here.
5. The Complete TOEFL iBT Success on Udemy
There are hundreds of TOEFL courses on Udemy, but the one I have chosen has over 4,500 ratings with an average of 4.5/5 stars. Maria Guryeva teaches this course, and more than 16,000 students have taken it so far. It covers the entire TOEFL test in detail, and by the end of it, there won’t be a single topic you won’t know.
Key Features:
- You will be able to pass the NEW TOEFL iBT test for 100 points or more.
- Complete and detailed coverage of all four sections.
- Learn tactics, strategies, and templates that make questions easy.
- Learn what traps to look for and avoid.
Get it here.
4. TOEFL iBT Prep Plus by Kaplan
Unlike the previous Kaplan book on this list, Kaplan Prep Plus is a comprehensive TOEFL guide covering absolutely every aspect of the test. It contains four full-length practice tests as well as 450 practice questions throughout the book to help you retain information as you go along.
Key Features:
- Four full-length online practice tests with detailed answers and explanations
- More than 450 practice questions.
- Focused practice for each section of the test helps you reinforce critical concepts
- More than 95 minutes of audio for Listening, Speaking, and Writing sections included on CD and online, plus complete transcripts in the book
- Exclusive score-raising tips and strategies for each language skill: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking
Get it here.
3. The Official Guide to the TOEFL by ETS
ETS is the company that makes the TOEFL, and this guide is their official TOEFL guide written by them. As far as authenticity is concerned, an official guide will always be superior to a third-party one. Much like the previous books on this list, this guide contains four full-length TOEFL tests; however, what is unique about these tests is that they are actual TOEFL tests.
Key Features:
- Four full-length Official TOEFL practice tests.
- Complete review of all four sections of TOEFL.
- Multiple test-taking strategies.
- 100s of authentic practice questions.
Get it from here.
2. ETS: TOEFL Test Preparation
One of the very top course on this list comes from the same company that makes the TOEFL test. ETS’s online course is the most authentic course on the internet. It is developed by actual TOEFL experts and features examples from past TOEFL tests.
Key Features:
- Developed by the experts who design the exam.
- Examples used are real past test questions.
- Advice for how to register, how the exam is scored, and how to prepare for the test day.
- Highly interactive course facilitated with videos, quizzes, and discussion boards.
- Free resources and discounts for other test prep courses included.
Get it here.
1. Magoosh Online Prep
Magoosh TOEFL Prep is an online course that features detailed video lessons and hundreds of practice questions for you to master your English skills. Their online prep courses are top-rated and highly rated with mostly positive reviews. Their TOEFL prep features more than a hundred video lessons and covers every little aspect of the TOEFL test.
Get discount on Magoosh TOEFL here.
Key Features:
- 330+ practice questions.
- 330+ explanation videos.
- 150+ lesson videos.
- Professional tutors answer all your questions.
- Gives you navigation through the entire exam structure.
- Complete review of all the sections in detail.
Get discount on Magoosh TOEFL here.