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The Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT, 6th Edition is the latest release from ETS since the TOEFL iBT test was revised in 2019. In our opinion, any test taker who is serious about acing the TOEFL iBT must have this book in their arsenal.
If you wonder why, that's because it is the only TOEFL preparation book that is created and endorsed by ETS - the makers of the TOEFL iBT. Apart from the Official TOEFL iBT Tests Volume 1 & Volume 2, there are no other TOEFL preparation books on the market that are endorsed by ETS.
In this article, we'll expose the strengths and some of the flaws of this book, to help you learn how best you can use the book to get the TOEFL score that you desire.
The Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT book video review
You can also watch the video below for an authentic review experience. Let's go!
Features of the Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT, 6th Edition
The book is available in paperback and eBook format. You can get the eBook version of the book from the ETS website. A new purchase of the book should come with a digital access code. Readers can find this access code in an envelope located at the end of the book, as shown in the image below.
Digital access Code in The Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT - (Image Credit: Sojourning Scholar)
Using this access code, readers can download the digital resource that accompanies this book (for a maximum of 4 times). This digital resource includes the audio tracks you need for the listening, speaking and writing practice questions, as well as on-screen versions of the same 4 full-length practice tests printed in the book. You can find instructions on the publisher's website on how to install the interactive practice tests on a PC or Mac computer.
Review of TOEFL iBT sections
Now let's discuss the quality of the section specific lessons that you can find in the Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT, 6th Edition.
Reading section
In this chapter, ETS does an excellent job of describing the 10 different types of TOEFL reading questions. Using clear examples, they explain in detail how to recognize each type of reading question, and give helpful tips on how to answer them effectively. In our review of the best TOEFL preparation books, there was no other TOEFL prep book that explained the types of reading questions this well.
Next, strategies for the reading section are briefly provided for the 3 reading purposes; reading to find information, basic comprehension, and reading to learn. You're then provided with 6 reading sets from passages created by ETS for an actual TOEFL iBT test to sharpen your skills in the reading section.
Each set comes with 10 questions that capture any one of the 10 reading question types. Answer choices are provided at the end of each set with explanations on what type of question was given and what choices are correct or incorrect.
Listening section
Similar to the reading section, ETS clearly explains the 8 types of listening questions you will come across when listening to conversations and lectures.
A few strategies for the listening section are given in this chapter, as well as tips for test day. Readers are then provided with 5 listening sets, where each set contains 5 listening questions. Similar to the practice sets in the reading section, the listening sets here teach you how to identify any one of the 8 types of listening questions.
You will need to download the audio tracks to appropriately perform these practice sets. At the end of each practice set transcripts and answers to the practice questions are provided.
Unlike the reading section, where explanations of answer choices are given for both the correct and incorrect choice, in the listening section explanations are mostly limited to the correct choice.
Speaking section
This chapter does a good job of describing the question types on the 2 sub-sections of the speaking section. Which are the independent and integrated speaking tasks.
Audio examples for each of these speaking questions are referenced in the book. So you will need to access the audio files to hear these examples.
Next a detailed scoring rubric is provided for the independent and integrated sections of the speaking test. You're recommended to use this scoring rubric when evaluating your speaking response. No practice speaking drills are provided in this chapter.
You will find a page of "tips and strategies" for preparing and taking the practice speaking section. This section also has answers FAQs about the speaking section.
Overall, we found the strategies in this chapter quite weak. Given that the many test takers struggle with the speaking section of the TOEFL, we expected much more from this chapter. You'll find better strategies for the speaking section in other top TOEFL preparation books we reviewed.
Writing section
This section describes the question types on the 2 sub-sections of the writing section, which are the integrated writing and the independent essay. A couple of pages are dedicated to strategies for the integrated task, but there are no strategies provided for the independent essay.
Scoring rubrics are provided for each task along with score samples rated from 1- 5. For the independent writing sub-section, a list of about 40 independent writing prompts are provided for practice.
What stands out in this chapter are the 5 sample responses provided for each task. You would not find this level of detail in any other TOEFL prep book.
However, we found the strategies in the writing chapter somewhat insufficient. If you're looking for really good strategies for the writing section, we recommend you use resources from Barron's TOEFL iBT with 8 Online Practice Tests, 17th Edition and TOEFL iBT Prep 2021 by The Princeton Review. You can also refer to the TOEFL iBT Prep 2021 by The Princeton Review for helpful templates for the writing section.
Quality of practice tests
Readers have the option of taking the test using the book, or downloading the on-screen software on a computer for a test-taking experience that more closely resembles the actual TOEFL iBT test. You can see the main menu of the interactive practice test in the screenshot below.
Screenshot of Official Guide to The TOEFL iBT Interactive Practice Test (Image Credit: Sojourning Scholar)
A flaw of the interactive practice test is that the simulated experience is not exactly like the real TOEFL iBT. After completing each section of a practice test, you will have to return to the main menu to continue on to the next section. Another feature that's lacking is a review button for the reading section (see the image below). This review button is present on the real TOEFL iBT, and it allows you to quickly navigate to any question on the reading section.
Interestingly, we found that the online practice tests in the TOEFL iBT Prep Plus 2020 - 2021 provided an experience a lot similar to the real TOEFL iBT than those of the Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT, 6th Edition.
Screenshot of the reading section on the interactive practice test
Furthermore, the responses on the speaking section are not automatically recorded by the software. So you will need to use another audio recording device when taking the speaking practice test.
Although the user experience of the practice test is weak, what we found invaluable were the detailed answer explanations and sample responses at the end of each practice tests. Both of which are available in the book and on the digital resource.
What we really like is that you can hear sample speaking responses from actual TOEFL iBT test takers on the audio files. These speaking responses are rated as high-level, mid-level, and low-level by an ETS rater. Similarly, you will find rated responses for the writing section.
How to use the Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT in your TOEFL prep
The best way to study with the Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT is to start by taking Practice Test 1 as a diagnostic practice test. You should do this before you study the section guides in this book. This will help you quickly identify what sections of the test you're strong and weak at.
After you've evaluated your performance on the diagnostic practice test, make a study schedule. Depending on how much time you have to prepare for the TOEFL iBT, this could be a 4-week, 8-week, or 12-week study schedule.
You should plan to spend the majority of your study time on the section of the test where you're weak. When you feel like you've achieved a better understanding of each section of the test, take another full-length practice test.
In addition to studying this TOEFL prep book, you should also get some exposure to content in English such as newspapers, magazines, or podcasts. When you read or listen to these resources ask yourself, "what is the main idea of the topic being discussed?". Don't just listen to be entertained.
This is how you can sharpen your reading and listening skills required to ace the TOEFL iBT.
To improve your skills in speaking and writing, it is best to get feedback from a person fluent in English and knowledgeable about scoring the TOEFL.
You can consider investing in a TOEFL prep course to ensure you're receiving the proper guidance based on your performance. At Sojourning Scholar, we have purchased and reviewed about a dozen TOEFL prep courses to help you find one that's the right fit for your TOEFL prep needs.
The best TOEFL prep courses we recommend provide speaking and writing reviews from expert TOEFL instructors. So, you can be rest assured that the guidance you receive will be very effective.
For more unique tips for a high TOEFL score, check out our article on improving your TOEFL score.
FAQs about the Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT, 6th Edition
Where to find the access code for The Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT test sixth edition?
If you purchased a brand new version of the book, you can find the access code to the digital resource in an envelope on the last page of the book. However, certain buyers of the Indian version of this book have complained that the access code was missing in newly purchased books. if you can't find your access code, you can contact the publisher using the contact information in the book.
Where are the audio files for The Official Guide to the TOEFL test, 6th Edition ?
To access the audio files that come with this book, you will need to use the access code. Keep in mind that this access code allows you to download the digital resource a maximum of four times.
Does the TOEFL iBT 6th Edition software work on Mac?
Yes. You can install the software for the interactive practice test on a Mac or Windows computer.
Final thoughts
While the Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT from ETS has some flaws, these are not absolute deal-breakers. The authenticity of the practice questions and tests in the book make this book an excellent resource. So, we strongly recommend you get this book, as it will be a great resource to have during your TOEFL iBT prep.
