Choosing a TOEFL prep course to buy is entirely subjective, as a course that may be ideal for some learners may not be suitable for you.
But how exactly should you find a TOEFL course that's the right fit without spending lots of money and time trying different online TOEFL courses?
Well, you're in luck! From our experience reviewing several online TOEFL prep courses, we've gathered some essential factors you should consider when shopping for an online TOEFL prep course.
By the end of this article, you will not only understand how to find the best TOEFL course for you, but you'll also find links to our in-depth reviews of different top TOEFL courses that we believe will be a great fit for your needs.
Sound good? Let's get started.
TOEFL Prep Course Buying Guide
We've broken this article into six sections highlighting the most important questions to consider when buying a TOEFL prep course. In each section, you will learn how to evaluate each of these critical questions in a personalized way.
In no particular order, here is the list of the top questions that we will be exploring in subsequent sections. Please feel free to click and jump around to any of these sections located further down in this article.
What is Your Preferred Learning Style?
Do you learn best when the contents are presented in an audio/visual form, or do you prefer learning by reading/writing text? If you identify as an audio/visual learner, a video-based TOEFL prep course will be your best choice.
On the flip side, if you understand and retain information best when it is presented in the form of a text, you should look for TOEFL prep courses that are primarily text-based.
It's also essential to identify your preferred language learning style.
For non-native English speakers, your preferred learning style for the TOEFL might differ from your preferred learning style when the content is in your native language.
For example, you might be someone who learned the English language primarily through reading and writing. Which is the dominant teaching mode in many countries where English as a Second Language is taught.
Since your English foundation was dominant in the text format, you will find it much easier to learn English-based content by reading and writing than listening/watching. Although you might be an audio/visual learner when the content is in your native language.
So, as you answer this question, you should consider your learning style preference when the learning material is in your native language and in a second or third learned language.
Our Best Recommendation for Different Learning Styles
For audio/visual learners we recommend the Magoosh TOEFL prep course for its highly engaging video-based lessons. While text-based learners will benefit the most from the Prepscholar TOEFL course, which uses an algorithm to personalize your learning experience.
What Learning Environment Do You Thrive In?
Just as important as your learning style preference is choosing a learning environment where you're sufficiently motivated.
If you're a self-motivated learner, TOEFL prep courses designed in a self-study format, where you complete the course at your own time and pace, are a great choice.
But if you're a student who struggles with holding yourself accountable, studying with a self-paced TOEFL course won't be the best fit.
Maybe you're the type of student who thrives in a group learning environment or a learning environment where you get the attention and support of a teacher, or you enjoy the social interaction with other students.
Your best bet will be to go with a TOEFL prep course with a live class component or one that offers 1-on-1 tutoring with a TOEFL expert instructor.
Our Best Recommendation for Group Learners
Suppose you prefer learning in a group setting over self-studying. In that case, our top recommendation is to go with the TOEFL prep course from E2Language for their engaging live online TOEFL classes.
How Long Do You Intend to Study for the TOEFL?
How long do you plan to prepare for the TOEFL exam? To best answer this question, you'll need to determine how far away your starting TOEFL scores are from your target TOEFL score.
Quick Tip: To determine your starting TOEFL scores, you can take a free full-length practice test from ETS - the makers of the TOEFL exam.
Are you shooting for a triple-digit TOEFL iBT score, but your starting score is in the mid 70s? Well, that just means that you'll need to prepare for the TOEFL iBT exam a lot longer than if your starting score was in the high 80s or low 90s.
Given that your TOEFL prep will take some time, you should look for online TOEFL prep courses that offer a more extended access period. This could be anywhere between 6 months to 1 year.
This longer access period will allow you to study comfortably at your own pace as you take your time to build your English language skills.
And suppose you don't hit your target TOEFL score during this period. In that case, you will be saving money by not purchasing another course subscription.
On the contrary, if you're someone who has a starting TOEFL score that's close to your target TOEFL score, then looking for a TOEFL prep course with a more extended access period may not be a factor to consider. As your TOEFL prep duration would be on the shorter side.
How Much Student Support Do You Need?
Unlike other popular standardized tests like the SAT or GRE, English language proficiency tests like the TOEFL and IELTS have more sections (speaking and writing) graded by humans.
Given that the TOEFL speaking and writing sections are graded subjectively, it is crucial that you receive unbiased feedback during your TOEFL prep.
While you can use a grading rubric to assess your responses in these sections, it is best to get the feedback of an expert TOEFL instructor.
This is one of the main advantages of studying for the TOEFL using a high-quality online TOEFL prep course. A great TOEFL prep course should provide student support features such as graded feedback for the TOEFL speaking and writing tasks.
So, suppose you've identified that your TOEFL speaking and writing sections are your weak areas. In that case, you should look for TOEFL prep courses that provide helpful feedback to students in these sections.
Furthermore, you might be someone who needs a coach for guidance with your TOEFL prep. In that case, a TOEFL prep course with private 1-on-1 tutoring might be your best solution.
Our Best Recommendation for Student Support
For the best quality of student support during your TOEFL prep, we recommend E2Language TOEFL. With E2 Test Prep, you can get real-time feedback from a TOEFL expert through their live online classes. And if you desire more 1-on-1 attention, they offer an optional private tutoring session with a helpful TOEFL expert.
Are You a Practice-Test Warrior?
We coined the term "practice-test warriors" to describe students whose test prep strategy relies heavily on taking several practice tests.
For these students, mastering the test-taking strategies for each TOEFL section is not enough to build their confidence. Instead, they get a confidence boost by completing many full-length practice tests and tracking improvements over time.
If this is your ideal prep strategy, you should look for TOEFL prep courses with a large bank of TOEFL practice questions and simulated full-length practice tests. Also, the TOEFL practice questions and practice test experience should be similar to those found on the actual TOEFL exam.
But a large bank of practice questions is not enough. It's also crucial for the prep course to provide detailed answer explanations and feedback after each full-length TOEFL practice test is completed. This way, you can quickly learn from your mistakes and see improvements in your overall score.
In contrast, if you're not a practice-test warrior, a course with fewer TOEFL practice questions and full-length practice tests may suffice. As long as the practice questions in the course are comparable to those on the actual TOEFL iBT exam.
Our Best Recommendation for TOEFL Practice Material
If taking several full-length practice tests is a critical strategy in your TOEFL prep, you will get a lot of value from the BestMyTest TOEFL prep course. In addition to the massive bank of TOEFL practice questions in this course, you will also get quality feedback in their TOEFL speaking and writing section assessments.
What is Your Budget?
Before investing in a TOEFL prep course, it's natural to consider the size of your budget in relation to your target score goals.
For some, getting a high TOEFL score is an absolute necessity to achieve their dreams of immigrating to a Western country for better career opportunities or admission into a highly-competitive university. In which case, their budget is large enough for a premium TOEFL prep course with several student support features.
While others only need to get a good or a satisfactory TOEFL score to achieve their goals. In this case, a budget TOEFL prep course with fewer support features may be more appealing than a more expensive premium TOEFL prep course.
As you consider the price of a TOEFL prep course, you should also look for customer policies such as money-back refunds and TOEFL score increase guarantees from the course provider.
Many premium TOEFL prep courses offer score increase guarantees as high as +15 points. Students who complete these premium courses and don't see an increase in their official TOEFL iBT score can get a full refund of their purchase.
In contrast, low-priced TOEFL prep courses are typically sold with no score improvement guarantees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for when buying a TOEFL prep course?
When shopping for a TOEFL prep course, you should keep in mind that there is no single best TOEFL prep course for every student. So, it's important to consider what your needs are and how each TOEFL prep course can satisfy those needs.
For example, you might be a learner who retains information best when it's in the audio/visual format. If this is the case, your best bet is to choose a TOEFL prep course that's entirely video-based.
Do I need a TOEFL prep course to get a high TOEFL score?
No you don't. Some students, especially those who are very self-motivated and prefer to learn by reading, can prepare effectively for the TOEFL by using a great TOEFL prep book. TOEFL Prep courses are an excellent option for those students who need a bit more structure and guidance in their prep.
Should I buy a TOEFL prep course or get the help of a tutor?
Working exclusively with a TOEFL tutor might be essential if you're the type of student who needs a high level of support during your prep. However, the downside of working with a TOEFL tutor is the high cost you'll accrue during your prep, as most good tutors charge high hourly rates.
In comparison, TOEFL prep courses strike a fine balance between cost and student support. And are appropriate for TOEFL test-takers who need some guidance, but not to the extent that they need to work exclusively with a TOEFL tutor.
