kawaiigurl

how to prepare toefl?
are there any suggested prep books =]
thanks!!

b@r!um

My suggestions would depend on where you expect the prep book to pick you up. Are you prepared language-wise and just need a few practice tests and test-taking tips to get used to the test format? Do you need help with a specific area on the test (e.g. listening comprehension)? Or do you need to work seriously on your language skills first and are looking for a test prep book that is pretty much an advanced ESL textbook?

kawaiigurl

i would say i am prepared language-wise and just need a few practice tests and test-taking tips to get used to the test format

S33D

First of all, realize that you have to prepare FOR the TOEFL. If you were preparing the TOEFL, you wouldn't have to prepare for it at all xD

jk.

b@r!um

If you have signed up for the TOEFL yet, I would strongly recommend you take the free online practice test first to see if/what you need to work on.

I bought Barron's TOEFL prep book and I was very disappointed. Not only did the CDs with the practice tests not work, but I felt the general test-taking strategies were not too useful. I don't need a book to tell me how to take notes or that it is essential to get enough sleep before the test. Duh.

In the end, the free practice test from ETS was all the practice I got and needed.

I would venture to say that most general TOEFL prep books are pretty useless. (Just in comparison: I would not say that about SAT prep books.) If your English is good, you don't need help with reading comprehension and multiple choice tests. Many nonnative speakers might need help with the speaking and/or writing sections (the structure of essays varies from country to country, and I have often heard that students from non-European countries have a hard time being as critical and direct as an American reader would expect), but books cannot really help you with that because they cannot provide specific feedback.