Official TOEFL iBT Tests, Volume 1

by McGraw-Hill Education

Official TOEFL iBT Tests Volume 1, 2nd Edition

Genres: Nonfiction

458 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2015

About the author

McGraw-Hill Education traces its history back to 1888 when James H. McGraw, co-founder of the company, purchased the American Journal of Railway Appliances. He continued to add further publications, eventually establishing The McGraw Publishing Company in 1899. His co-founder, John A. Hill, had also produced several technical and trade publications and in 1902 formed his own business, The Hill Publishing Company.

In 1909 both men agreed upon an alliance and combined the book departments of their publishing companies into The McGraw-Hill Book Company. John Hill served as President, with James McGraw as Vice-President. 1917 saw the merger of the remaining parts of each business into The McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, Inc.

Reviews

[Aroosha Dehghan]

It is useful, but consider the changes to the exam after 2023.

[Michael Goodine]

This book, (along with Volume 2 of the same) contains the most accurate TOEFL practice tests available. There are five in this volume. The accuracy of these practice tests is what makes them so valuable – most third party books and websites have terrible sample questions. Some major publishers publish tests that are mind-bogglingly terrible.

I should mention at this point the book is very similar to the previous editions. One reading passage has been changed, but otherwise the tests have the same questions. They are, of course, modified to match the changes to the test introduced in 2019 so there are fewer reading, listening and speaking questions. The good news is that the omitted questions include all of the non-standard reading question types that plagued earlier editions.

The only major difference between Volume 1 and Volume 2 (other than the contents of the tests of course) are in how the answers are presented. This book merely talks about what an answer should contain, while in Volume 2 actual sample answers are provided. Both methods are helpful. The explanations function sort of like a template, laying out exactly what information should be included and not included. The samples, of course, are more tangible. I do wish that each book included both. Oh well.

The digital content is no longer provided on a DVD. Instead, students must use a code to access the files on McGraw-Hill’s website. I like that the content can be accessed online, but sadly the code can only be used two times. Make sure to back up those files!

[Michael Goodine]

Still the best source of practice tests, but note that this edition does not reflect the changes to the TOEFL that began on August 1. Don't study with it until you look those up.

Note, also, that the new 3rd edition is exactly the same as the second edition, but it uses a DVD instead of a CD.