Kaplan TOEFL CBT W/CD-Rom, 2nd Edition

Rating:
Summary: just the basic stuff
Review: When I had to take the TOEFL test I was in a hurry so I didn't have time to prepare seriously.... but although I never studied English formaly, this book helped me to get a 290 in less than two weeks. On the negative side: It is true that the reading section is weak and some of the sample exercises are questionable, but I think that there is very little you can do about paragraph analysis anyways. It is also true that the sample tests in the CD are flawed (I guess they try to simulate an adaptative test) so you can't get more than 250/260 even with a perfect test. But on the positive side this book concentrates in what is important for the test. In my case they were a lot of grammatical constructs (including some custom uses and phrases) I never used before and they appeared in my actual test. If you have some previous background or need to refresh your grammar for the TOEFL this book may be a good investment.

Rating:
Summary: Haven't taken the test yet, but it seems this is an ok book
Review: You've gotta admit it, it's WAY too short! Plus, there is basically NO help explanation for most of the questions! Also, the book doesn't seem trustworthy. I took the diagnostic w/ a 643 or something but the first complete test w/ a 600 or something. Although the first complete test is in CBT format while the diag. in paper, there is just no way to accurately measure my strengths and weaknesses! Having been in the US for 5 years, I speak with little accent and can listen fairly well. Plus, I am an outstanding students and have gotten A's in college level English composition classes. Therefore, the only thing that seems to mar me from perfection is the listening section. This is a section of trouble for most students and although this book provides a BUNCH of conversations, they just don't seem to give you the type of practice needed. I have no idea how I will do next month when I take the test, but I've ordered materials from TOEFL itself as reinforcements.