The 10 Best TOEFL Prep Courses 2024

English is one of the most widely-spoken languages in the world, and English proficiency is necessary to succeed in many industries around the world. If you want to prove your English proficiency to employers or so that you can attend an international university, it’s essential to take the TOEFL test. While the exam is geared toward academics, a TOEFL score can come in handy in other areas as well.

TOEFL is accepted as the standard for scoring non-native English speakers by over 10,000 institutions in more than 130 countries. It’s definitely worth taking the test if you intend on studying or working in a field that requires English proficiency.

Orientation

TOEFL is designed to help give employers and educational institutions a well-rounded picture of your language abilities across all areas. On the test, your skills are tested in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. When choosing a course, you will want to get the most out of it, so there are a few things to consider.

Subject Preparation

Most prep courses will cover all four areas of the TOEFL test using sample questions and videos to give you an idea of the content you’ll encounter during the actual test. Most courses will also share some test-taking strategies because it’s common knowledge that being good at taking standardized tests is a skill in itself.

It’s normal for students to have areas they’re stronger in and areas they are less confident about. Some courses will focus more on one particular skill so you can better use your time to build up your weak areas.

For most students, speaking is the hardest thing to practice when it comes to learning another language. It may seem impossible to prepare for a speaking test without a one-on-one tutor, but many online courses do share strategies to help you improve the way you respond verbally.

If you’re mostly looking to improve your skills in one area, choose a course that focuses on that. If you’re looking for a general prep course, make sure your selection covers reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Instruction Style

You should also choose a course that will help you learn in a way that works best for you. Some courses are entirely self-directed and based mainly on taking practice tests. Other courses are just as independent but offer more instruction. These courses will still offer practice tests but provide test tips.

Some courses will go beyond the independent structure by giving students feedback on their work or even offering interactive lessons. You can even get a private tutoring experience online to help you receive intense personalized instruction.

Type of Test

There are two options for taking the TOEFL: iBT (internet-based) and PBT (paper-based). PBT is an in-person exam that is being phased out is still be available in some areas (though not all). You will need to register in advance at a test center near you, which you can find here.

With most students now taking the iBT, some prep courses have started adapting their information to that test in particular. The two tests cover the same four basic areas of English proficiency, but the PBT has more focus on grammar rather than on speaking.

More and more, the PBT is considered a bit outdated. Most universities would rather have students who can express themselves verbally over students who can only write the definition of a prepositional phrase. Speaking will have a lot more practical benefit, so many schools are only accepting iBT scores, though some accept both.

With these factors in mind, let’s get to our picks for the best TOEFL prep courses available today.

Top 10 Best TOEFL Prep Courses 2024

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1. Best Interactive TOEFL Class: TOEFL iBT Complete Preparation Course

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Why we like it

This class is a great resource that will make you feel more confident and prepared for all parts of the TOEFL

Course Review

Broken into 26 sections with 244 individual lectures, this course is easy to follow and gives a well-rounded prep experience. All the videos and the 90 downloadable resources are available on-demand, so you can easily go back over areas that you find more challenging for extra practice.

This course doesn’t just have students practice their English skills, but it also goes over test-taking skills and strategies that will help you on the day of the exam. Coping with anxiety, finding keywords in questions, and how to take more effective notes are all covered alongside the academic practice.

Throughout the course, there are sample tests and activities to practice the skills you need. The class focuses specifically on the iBT test but does still offer some grammar tips for students. The material is also frequently updated to help students know what to expect from the most recent edition of the test.

What makes this course particularly valuable is the way students get to interact and receive feedback. With this class pack, students have access to live online lectures, get feedback on their essays, and can participate in a peer review of their writing. Each month, there are also 20 slots available for a special speaking class to students who have completed the online course

Who It’s For

If your TOEFL exam is still a few months away, this course will help you build up your skills over time. It’s not a cram session (if you’re looking for that, you may prefer the Emergency TOEFL Course), but offers practical ways to prepare and improve your score. This class is intended for students who have taken a practice test and have scored a 79 or higher, so it’s for students whose English is already intermediate to advanced.

Students who have several hours a week to dedicate, as well as a strong internet connection, will benefit the most. This course does eat up a lot of bandwidth, with slower internet resulting in choppy audio and pixilated video. It may also be harder for casual students to get the full benefit of the interactive portions since the speaking course and essay feedback are first-come-first-served with limited space.

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2. Best Independent TOEFL Study Program: Kaplan TOEFL

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Why we like it

Kaplan has been a well-respected name in test-prep for many years, and they are so certain that their course will help you that they guarantee a higher test score or your money back.

Course Review

Kaplan brings experience and a history of success to all of their test prep courses, and Kaplan TOEFL is no exception. One of the methods they use to ensure their students’ high performance is to constantly update their material, so that you’re studying what’s going to be on this year’s test—not what was on the test 10 years ago.

The prep course gives you six months of access to 190 online video lessons that cover concepts you’ll be tested on as well as audio recordings like the ones you’ll hear on the actual test. Each student also receives a textbook full of lessons and practice questions. Unlike most online courses, this prep book is available as a physical copy if you choose. This is great for students who like to make extensive notes as they study and prefer physical books.

The course leans heavily on this textbook, but it has a few other unique features as well. There is a good deal of information about coping with test stress and learning to manage your time when it comes to studying, but also how to use your time wisely while taking the test.

You’ll also get to take four full-length practice tests as part of this class to help you understand the test structure and scoring. You’ll receive scores and essay feedback so you can focus on weak areas as you continue studying.

Who It’s For

Students who prefer studying from a book will appreciate this course since it gives an experience similar to attending classes in school. You can listen to lessons from an instructor that relate to book subjects. This does make it more challenging if you’re looking to have the convenience of quick lessons on the go since there’s not an app or easy online interface for accessing lessons from a mobile device. If that’s what you’re looking for, you may prefer the Magoosh prep course. This course is geared toward students studying at home with their computer and textbook.

It’s also good practice if you’ve never used headphones for studying or test-taking before. Since the iBT will require you to listen on headphones, by the time you finish this course, you’ll feel comfortable with that method of learning.

If you like learning at your own pace and grasp ideas through independent study, you’ll probably get a lot out of this class. Some students may find the video content a bit dry, as it mainly reviews the book’s content, rather than teaches new ideas.

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3. Best Beginner TOEFL Class: TOEFL Test Preparation: The Insider’s Guide

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Why we like it

Edx offers an introductory course on the TOEFL that focuses on the four main test subjects and offers a look at how the test is structured. Nine different instructors offer their expertise in teaching and moderating the course.

Course Review

A paced study plan that divides the coursework into units of 2-4 hours a week will help you stay on track with preparation without overwhelming your already busy schedule. Since this is self-directed, you can go through the material more quickly and use any remaining time to review. There is one free practice test in the course that is scored by AI in the writing and speaking sections.

Over 6 weeks, students have access to video lessons and online resources to help them get familiar with the TOEFL and practice the English and testing skills they’ll need to succeed. The class is offered in two tracks: the free auditing track and the verified track that costs $49. On the audit track, students will have access to all the course materials only for the duration of the class. Verified students will have unlimited access to these resources as well as additional support from the instructors and a certificate of completion.

All students will be able to access the online learning community where students are encouraged to interact with others taking the course. Students can collaborate, assist each other, and share study tips and resources through this forum.

Who It’s For

If you’re on a tight budget but need to start getting ready to take the TOEFL, this is a great way to start. Many students have studied English for years but have no idea what to expect from this test. If you’re in that position, this class gives you an inside look at what kind of questions to expect and which skills to bone up on before the test.

The self-paced structure is convenient for those who work or study full-time and need to fit their study time in whenever they can. Although, if you’re taking the free course, you only have a six-week window to take advantage of the class, unfortunately. You also have to wait to take the course at various starting intervals, not whenever you want.

This class probably won’t be as valuable to students who are very advanced and have already taken a practice test. However, as a run-up to your first practice test, this class will help you feel more prepared.

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4. Most Engaging TOEFL Class: The Complete TOEFL iBT Success Course

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Why we like it

This course is packed with info and presented by an enthusiastic instructor with tons of experience.

Course Review

Over the course of ten hours, this class walks you through each section of the TOEFL iBT exam. Broken down into highly digestible units, the class digs into the nuance of testing. In the reading section, for example, there are lessons on understanding the meaning of words in context and how to make inferences from the text.

The speaking section is very comprehensive and helps you learn how to structure your responses. The instructor provides templates to help you build comprehensive and grammatically correct answers to the test’s speaking section.

In each section, there are practice units for you to review the different concepts being demonstrated. This course also comes with 25 downloadable resources and 2 practice tests.

The instructor is a native Russian speaker who has experience taking the TOEFL exam herself and her experience is extremely valuable. She helps other students of English prepare for the unique challenges of the TOEFL, particularly in terms of time management and structuring your answers. Her engaging instruction style can help you feel more confident and prepared, not overwhelmed.

Who It’s For

This is a great overall course for anyone who needs to prepare for TOEFL. There are plenty of helpful strategies and practice questions that will give you a chance to apply the structural templates demonstrated in the class. If you’re fluent in English but don’t know how to approach this kind of standardized test, this course is a confidence builder.

It is important to note, though, that the test information in this class is from 2018. In 2019 there were some changes to the test, and even more in 2020 (there is even a Special Home Edition of the TOEFL now being offered that’s not mentioned here). If you want to prepare for the questions you’ll find specifically on the current exams (particularly in the listening section), you may need to supplement it with a more up-to-date course. If you’re just looking to increase your skills and learn some test strategies, you’ll still appreciate this class.

This class also has practice tests based around sample questions from each section, rather than complete mock tests with questions you’ll find on the TOEFL. It may not be enough practice for students who need more speaking experience. You might want to pair it with a class that spends more time on speaking like this one.

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5. Best Targeted TOEFL Practice Class: BestMyTest Online TOEFL Preparation

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Why we like it

BestMyTest is serious about practice, so they give you over 1,500 TOEFL practice questions and 20 test simulations in this course.

Course Review

BestMyTest truly takes the old adage “practice makes perfect” to heart. Their TOEFL Tutor class starts you off with a practice test that will then analyze what you need to improve on. From there, it recommends lessons across TOEFL exam subjects, as well as tips for improving your test-taking methods.

As you finish instructional units, you can delve into practice questions that allow you to use your newly acquired skills. You also have access to 20 full practice tests based on what you’ll experience in the actual TOEFL iBT.

While some resources, like a few practice questions and one practice test, are offered for free, by signing up for one of their membership tiers, you’ll be able to track your progress and get personalized study tools based on your needs. You also have to opportunity to ask for help if you’re struggling by messaging their team of instructors.

Some of your essays will also receive written feedback with notes on the grammar and corrections by a real human reviewer. This offers you personal suggestions to improve on.

Who It’s For

This course is flexible, so if you only have a short time to prepare, you can subscribe to their less expensive membership tier, or if you are preparing well in advance, you can get a six-month subscription.

It’s a good option if you want personalized classes that will give you the most benefit, but don’t want to get a private tutor. The online portal is easy to navigate, and you can view study plans that give you a sort of roadmap to reach your goals.

Sometimes, the course can be a little frustrating when it comes to the practice questions. If you get a question wrong, it doesn’t always give a satisfying explanation about why the answer was wrong. There are also a limited number of personalized reviews you can have for your writing or speaking practices, so use them wisely. If you’re really looking for human feedback, you may want to try one-on-one tutoring like the one from Princeton Review.

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6. Best On-The-Go TOEFL Practice Class: Magoosh TOEFL Prep Course

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Why we like it

This convenient online course gives you access to resources and experts all in one place.

Course Review

Magoosh aims to be a convenient interface for students to get a well-rounded TOEFL prep course. Their website is streamlined, and subscribers can also download the mobile app to access study resources any time, anywhere. When you log in, there are daily tasks for you to complete, so you don’t have to wonder what your next step is.

Depending on the length of your subscription, the service helps you develop a study plan so you can methodically go through all areas of TOEFL prep. It’s logical and intuitive. You can also use their analytics to track your progress, seeing where you’ve improved the most and where you still need help.

Students also have unlimited access to a team of tutors. You can ask as many questions as you like and will receive helpful feedback on your areas of concern.

This prep course focuses a lot on vocabulary and grammar practice. It utilizes things like digital flashcards to help you memorize terms. There are also video lessons walking you through all the sections of the test and the kinds of questions you’ll encounter. Their listening section is particularly strong, focusing on strategies to avoid common traps during this part of the test. The reading sections of this course also give you passages and questions very similar to what you’ll encounter on the actual test.

Who It’s For

If you already have a busy schedule and need to fit TOEFL prep around everything else in your day, you will really appreciate Magoosh’s mobile app. Their website and app are modern and easy to use. Practicing a little bit every day, rather than trying to study for hours on the weekend, is ultimately going to be better for you—especially if you study over the course of several months.

This course is strongest in the reading and listening sections, with strong practice questions for these areas. With extra help on the subject of grammar, this course could also be valuable if you are taking the PBT test rather than the iBT.

If you need extra help in speaking and writing, this course is a little weak. It may be a little out of date compared to the type of questions you’ll actually see on the test. For more emphasis on those areas, you may want to check out the iBT Complete Preparation Course.

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7. Most Customizable TOEFL Class: E2 Language Test Prep

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Why we like it

Instead of requiring you to follow a set curriculum, this resource is a repository of both live lessons and self-paced study tools that let you focus your studies however you need.

Course Review

E2 Language offers several flexible packages to help you choose what kind of preparation you need to successfully pass the TOEFL exam. The course offers you the ability to attend live classes virtually, take practice tests, and become informed about test-taking methods—all on their free tier. From there, you can choose higher levels that give you access to more classes and mock tests with feedback.

In the paid levels of this course, you also have access to a number of 45-minute tutorials that let you speak one-on-one with one of their expert instructors. Writing and speaking assessments are also available. In fact, if you just want to focus on writing or speaking, which tend to be particularly hard for many students, E2 offers special packages to let you focus solely on your weakest subject.

Their website allows you to track your progress as you move through the hundreds of practice questions and mock tests. It also helps you develop your own study plan based on your timeline.

Who It’s For

If you really enjoy learning in a classroom setting, then the live class feature of this course will make it stand out to you. In higher-level tiers, you not only attend the classes, but you’ll have access to class recordings so you can review the information later.

It’s also valuable for students who don’t need an expensive and bloated prep course with hundreds of questions on a subject they’ve already aced. Instead, you can customize your experience and focus your time on the subjects where you need the most practice.

Of course, for many students, the paid tiers of E2 may not be worth it. On the free level, you still have access to some classes and practice. For listening practice, you may actually find the same material on video-sharing sites. E2 and other prep courses often share a lot of their lessons there, and the paid version may not offer much more.

It may also be hard for students of certain backgrounds to fully grasp the teaching methods of some instructors. Many of the teachers are native English speakers, so they haven’t experienced being an ESL learner or taking a TOEFL exam before.

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8. Best TOEFL Class for Last-Minute Cramming: Emergency Course for the TOEFL

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Why we like it

This course is up-to-date and designed to give you a last-minute boost two days before the exam.

Course Review

This course is designed for students to get some last-minute preparation within two days of their exam. Most importantly, the course has been updated to reflect the recent changes to the iBT from 2019 and 2020. This means you can feel confident that it prepares you for what to expect on your exam.

Instead of teaching you language skills, the class focuses on using the skills you already have and figuring out how best to apply them to the TOEFL. Strategies like identifying reading keywords and sounding more natural in your speaking responses can help you demonstrate your English skills in a way that will gain you the highest score.

Included in the course are several practice questions with scoring rubrics for you to self-assess. There are also 60 downloadable resources and some homework assignments for you to practice with between units.

Who It’s For

If you already have a good grasp of the four basic skills of the TOEFL exam, you might find this course to be a valuable way to get some more practice before your test. It’s not going to teach you new language skills, but it may help boost your confidence and prepare you for what you’ll see on the test.

While this course can be beneficial, it is a little odd that a last-minute prep class has so many “what’s next?” units that are supposed to help you make a study plan to improve weak areas. If you’re taking it as intended, a few days before the TOEFL, it will be too late. It’s also odd to have additional homework assignments in a class designed for a time crunch.

This class won’t give you all the language skills you need to succeed on the TOEFL, you’ll need a more regimented study program over the course of several months for that, like the one from Kaplan. However, if you’re looking for an extra boost just before your test, this can be a great option.

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9. Best One-On-One TOEFL Class: Princeton Review Full-Service TOEFL Private Tutoring

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Why we like it

If you want personal instruction to give you that competitive edge, you can find reliable instructors online with Princeton Review.

Course Review

Some students thrive with one-on-one teaching and the Princeton Review offers a private tutoring experience online. Their system matches you with a tutor that will help you reach your specific goals for the TOEFL. You also get a personalized study plan developed for you.

Their online portal has a student dashboard that is very functional. It allows you to communicate with your tutor and schedule sessions. You also can track your progress through the dashboard.

Princeton Review requires their tutors to pass a 37-hour training course before they start engaging with students. Their tutors use their own expertise to help customize the most efficient study program for you. They also use the printed resources from Princeton Review as the basis of the class.

Who It’s For

If you struggle with independent, self-paced learning, then a private tutor may be a good option for you. It can be hard to find a reliable tutor with the right credentials on your own, so Princeton Review takes the guesswork out of it by already vetting and training a pool of tutors.

However, since the program is through Princeton Review, the tutors will only be using resources developed by them. These textbooks are easy enough to find online, and while some students find them useful, others don’t like the instruction style, finding it overly complex and bloated.

Besides that, one must consider that using Princeton Review’s private tutoring course is one of the most expensive options. For students on a budget, you may only be able to afford the lowest tier package, which only offers three hours of instruction. Even their top package is only 18 hours long, so you will likely still need to do quite a lot of prep on your own with a more complete course.

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10. Best TOEFL Speaking Skills Class: Master the TOEFL Exam: Speaking Practice Tips

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Why we like it

Take this course to feel more prepared and calm about the speaking portion of the TOEFL.

Course Review

For students who mainly learned English in an academic setting, speaking is an area where they may feel the weakest. And speaking can be difficult to practice on your own. This class slows down and focuses on the fundamentals of TOEFL speaking.

The instructor has plenty of experience with the TOEFL and instructing students from other countries. He focuses a lot on the mental preparation students need to make for the course to help students remain calm and focused.

The course goes through four units, with exercises distributed throughout for students to practice. Strategies for notetaking and assembling your answer are given as well as some examples of well-structured answers you can use as a template.

Who It’s For

While this course doesn’t give any revolutionary strategies on how to take the TOEFL, it does help you manage your anxiety. The instructor is calm and soothing and makes mental preparation a focal point of his lessons. If you’re panicking, you won’t be able to perform at your highest level.

For students looking for elevated discourse on the TOEFL and test-taking strategies, this probably won’t be as useful. The video quality is also not top-notch. However, if you want a low-pressure option for a little extra speaking practice, this will give you that chance and help you get in a calmer headspace.

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TOEFL Prep FAQ

Here are some common questions people have about the TOEFL exam.

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