TOEFL Writing Section: Tasks, Format, & Preparation Tips
The writing section of the TOEFL iBT test is designed to check how well a person can express their ideas, opinions, and thoughts in English within an academic context. It is the last part of the exam, and scores are based on how well the response is written in terms of content, structure, and grammar. In this blog, we have discussed the TOEFL writing section, including formatting, types of tasks, marking systems, and prep tips.
- TOEFL Writing Section: An Overview
- TOEFL iBT Test Writing Section: Task 1- Integrated Writing (Opinion-Based)
- TOEFL iBT Test Writing Section: Task 2- Academic Writing
- What Skills Are Evaluated in the TOEFL Writing Section?
- How is TOEFL Writing Scored?
- Preparation Tips for TOEFL iBT Test Writing Section
- How to Write on Topics During the TOEFL Exam?
- Key Takeaways by AdmitX
- FAQs
TOEFL Writing Section: An Overview
- The TOEFL writing section includes two tasks: an Integrated Writing Task and a Writing for an Academic Discussion task.Â
- These tasks are designed to assess how well test takers can combine information from the given material, express their thoughts clearly, and write well-structured essays.Â
- The format of the writing section is the same whether you take the exam at a test centre or from home.
Â
| Features | TOEFL iBT Exam (Center & Home Edition) |
| No. of Tasks | 2 |
| Types of Tasks | Task 1- Integrated Writing Task (20 minutes) Task 2- Writing for an Academic Discussion (10 minutes) |
| Word Count | Task 1- 150-250 words Task 2- 100 words |
| Text Sources | Academic subjects Contemporary topics |
| Total Duration | 29 Minutes |
TOEFL iBT Test Writing Section: Task 1- Integrated Writing (Opinion-Based)
- The integrated writing task of the TOEFL iBT test is the first task to complete.
- In this task, a short academic article of about 300 words is presented to test takers on their computer screens.
- Next, they hear a short lecture on that topic
- Finally, test takers have to write an essay of about 150-250 words
Reading
- The article length is 300 words
- Test takers are provided 3 minutes to read itÂ
- The article can be on any topic (topics on history, plants, and animals are mostly relevant)
Lecture
- The duration of a short lecture is 2-3 minutes
- It will be played once
- The lecture presents the counter-arguments to the reading topic
Writing Essay
- Test takers are given 20 minutes to write an essay that highlights the differences between the reading passage and the lecture.
- They must clearly summarise the main contrasting points within a word limit of approximately 150 to 250 words.
| Description | Time Allocation |
|---|---|
| Reading- 300 words | 3 minutes |
| Lecture | 2-3 minutes |
| Writing Essay- 150-200 words | 20 minutes |
TOEFL iBT Test Writing Section: Task 2- Academic Writing
- In the academic writing task of the TOEFL iBT exam, test takers need to write a response to a question posed by a university professor on a specific topic or subject.
- The response should be at least 100 words long and must be completed within 10 minutes.
- Test takers are expected to share their opinions clearly and support them with proper reasons and examples.
What Skills Are Evaluated in the TOEFL Writing Section?
The TOEFL iBT writing section assesses the following skills in a test taker.
- Critical thinking
- Analytical reasoning
- The organisation of ideas and thoughts
- Argument development
- Grammar & sentence structure
- Vocabulary & word choice
- Paraphrasing
- Summarisation
- Coherence
How is TOEFL Writing Scored?
- The TOEFL Writing section is evaluated on a scale of 0 to 30.
- This score is then combined with the scores from the other sections to calculate the total TOEFL score, which ranges from 0 to 120.
- There are five different proficiency levels in the writing section, and your score range will show how skilled you are in academic writing based on those levels.
| Reading Section Score | Level of Proficiency |
|---|---|
| 0-6 | Below Basics |
| 7-12 | Basics |
| 13-16 | Low Intermediate |
| 17-23 | High Intermediate |
| 24-30 | Advanced |
Preparation Tips for TOEFL iBT Test Writing Section
Here are some helpful tips to prepare for the TOEFL iBT Writing section and boost your chances of getting a good score:
- Start by understanding the format and structure of the writing section.
- Make it a habit to improve your grammar and grow your vocabulary every day.
- Practice writing one long essay daily on a new topic and ask a TOEFL expert to review it.
- Learn how to paraphrase and summarize information, and try using these skills in your essays.
- Use the official TOEFL ETS Guide and practice tests to get familiar with real exam-style questions.
How to Write on Topics During the TOEFL Exam?
Before starting to write your responses in the TOEFL writing section, it’s important to follow some key strategies to stay organized and manage your time well
- Carefully read all the instructions provided.
- Make sure you understand the structure and format of the writing section.
- For Task 1, focus completely on the reading passage and identify the main idea. Take quick notes on the important points.
- When the audio lecture begins, listen attentively and note down key information.
- Compare the ideas from both the reading and the lecture. Then, write your essay by sharing your own analysis and supporting it with clear examples.
- For Task 2, first read the passage and the sample response.
- Think critically about both and then form your own opinion, backing it up with logical points.
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
The writing section is the last part of the TOEFL exam, where candidates demonstrate their writing skills through two tasks. In the first task, they read a passage, listen to a lecture and then write an essay based on both.
In the second task, they read a professor’s lecture transcript and share their own opinions. These tasks test the ability to think critically, organize ideas clearly, and express them effectively in written English.
FAQs
How long is the TOEFL writing section?
The duration of the TOEFL writing section is 29 minutes, which is divided into 20 minutes for task 1 (integrated writing) and 9 minutes for task 2 (academic writing).Â
What is the syllabus of the TOEFL iBT test writing section?
There is no fixed syllabus for the TOEFL iBT test writing section. However, the topic is generally derived from academic materials such as university books, journals, and research articles.
What is a good score for the TOEFL writing section?
A score between 17 and 30 is generally considered good for the TOEFL iBT test writing section, which strongly demonstrates the candidate’s high proficiency in writing skills.
What is the scoring system for the TOEFL writing section?
The scoring system of the TOEFL writing section is divided into 0-30, which is then added up with the rest of the section’s scores to derive a final total score between 0-120.
How many years is the TOEFL valid for?
The validity of the TOEFL score is 2 years from the day of the result declaration.Â
