What is the fee of registering for the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

Applicants who choose to take the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition must pay an amount of INR 16,900 for registering, which is the same for TOEFL iBT.

How many times is the TOEFL iBT Home Edition conducted in a month?

The TOEFL iBT Paper Edition is offered once or twice every month.

As the TOEFL iBT exam is conducted in two sessions, do I have to book two dates or one?

You need to schedule two appointments when you register: one at your neighbourhood testing facility and the other at your house.

In some places, why is the duration of the first session of TOEFL iBT Paper Edition written as three and half hours? What is the actual duration?

The test duration at a centre is three hours. An additional thirty minutes is allocated for test administration tasks, such as admitting examinees, allowing them to input identifying information, and managing test materials.

Are there any special requirements for the Speaking section of the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

As the Speaking section is conducted from home, please ensure that you have the required setup for both the equipment and environment before registering. You will get the details from the official website.

What is a Good TOEFL Writing Score in 2024?

Home Blog TOEFL iBT

What is a Good TOEFL iBT® Writing Score in 2024?

Smruti Das

5 min read

Updated On September 09, 2024

Key Highlights

TOEFL iBT Writing Section Scoring Criteria
What is a Good TOEFL iBT Writing Score?
Strategies to Achieve High Writing Scores

The TOEFL iBT Test is a pivotal exam for non-native English speakers aspiring to study, work, or live in English-speaking countries. Among its four sections, the Writing section plays a crucial role in assessing your ability to express ideas clearly and your command of the English language. As we move into 2024, understanding what constitutes a good TOEFL iBT Writing score is essential for setting realistic goals and achieving success.

This blog will provide insights into the scoring criteria and benchmarks for top universities to help you excel in the Writing section of the TOEFL iBT. Whether you're aiming to enhance your competitiveness or simply meet the required standards, this blog will help you understand the expectations and prepare effectively for the test.

Check out - TOEFL iBT® Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2024

TOEFL iBT Writing Section Scoring Criteria

The TOEFL iBT TOEFL Writing iBT section assesses your ability to produce clear, coherent, and well-organised text in English. Scores range from 0 to 30 and are categorised into five proficiency levels: Advanced, High-Intermediate, Low-Intermediate, Basic, and Below Basic. Each level corresponds to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels, helping you understand your proficiency in a global context.

Level	Score Range	CEFR Level	Performance Criteria
Advanced	24–30	C1 Note: Scores of 29 or 30 likely indicate performance at CEFR Level C2.	Individuals scoring at the Advanced level can write confidently and clearly on a broad spectrum of academic and non-academic topics. They are able to: Create well-developed, organised text with rare grammatical errors or unclear language. Express opinions on controversial issues and support them with detailed explanations, showcasing a wide range of vocabulary and grammatical structures. Identify and integrate key information from multiple sources, presenting it coherently and clearly, with only minor inaccuracies in summarising source material.
High-Intermediate	17–23	B2	Those scoring at the High-Intermediate level can write effectively on general or familiar topics and convey most of the main ideas when discussing complex or academic subjects. They are able to: Summarise multiple sources, capturing most main ideas, though some important details may be missing, unclear, or incorrect. Clearly state an opinion on an issue, though some explanations may be underdeveloped and cohesion might occasionally hinder the progression of ideas. Write with reasonable fluency; however, grammatical errors or vague/incorrect word usage may sometimes affect readability.
Low-Intermediate	13–16	B1	Scoring at the Low-Intermediate level indicates the ability to produce simple texts on general or familiar topics. These test takers can: Write basic texts that express some ideas, though the development of these ideas may be limited due to insufficient or inappropriate details. Summarise relevant information from multiple sources, though key ideas might be omitted or misrepresented, especially those requiring complex or unfamiliar vocabulary. Write with limited fluency, with language errors obscuring connections or meaning at crucial points.
Basic	7–12	A2	Individuals scoring at the Basic level can convey very basic information in written English. They are able to: Produce text related to the topic but with minimal detail and organisation. Communicate some information from sources or express some ideas on an issue, but grammatical errors, unclear expressions, and poor sentence structure often make the writing hard to understand.
Below Basic	0–6	—	Scores below 7 indicate that the test taker has not demonstrated proficiency at the Basic level. Their writing generally lacks clarity, coherence, and organisation, with frequent grammatical errors and unclear expressions, making comprehension difficult.

Want to achieve your desired writing score on the TOEFL?
Check out our expert-curated TOEFL writing practice tests.

What is a Good TOEFL iBT Writing Score?

When aiming for admission into top colleges and universities, securing a high score in the Writing section of the TOEFL iBT is crucial. These institutions often have stringent requirements and expect prospective students to demonstrate superior English language proficiency. Here’s a breakdown of what you should aim for:

29-30: Achieving these scores shows exceptional writing ability. Your responses are not only coherent and well-structured but also exhibit a high level of fluency and precision in language use, with virtually no errors. These scores are often expected by the most prestigious institutions, such as Ivy League universities and other elite colleges.
27-28: These scores indicate a very strong command of writing skills. Your essays will be well-organised, and fully developed, and demonstrate clear, coherent, and sophisticated language use with minor errors, if any.
24-26: While slightly below the highest range, these scores still reflect strong writing proficiency. Essays are well-organised and clear, with few errors that do not significantly impact the reader's understanding. Many top colleges consider scores in this range acceptable, particularly if your overall TOEFL score is strong.

Check out - How to Write High-Scoring TOEFL® Essays

Strategies to Achieve High Writing Scores

To meet the expectations of top colleges, students must consider the following strategies for preparation.

Consistent Practice: Regular writing practice is key. Work with a variety of prompts and strictly adhere to the TOEFL iBT timing to build your writing skills and speed.
Seek Constructive Feedback: Get your essays reviewed by teachers, and tutors, or use online resources that provide detailed feedback. Understanding your mistakes and learning how to fix them is crucial for improvement.
Expand Your Vocabulary and Grammar Skills: Read extensively and practice using advanced vocabulary and complex sentence structures in your writing. This will enhance the quality and sophistication of your essays.
Organise Your Essays Effectively: Ensure that your essays have a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph should be focused on a single idea and supported with relevant details.
Revise and Edit: Always take time to review and revise your essays. Look for grammatical errors, issues with coherence, and ways to improve clarity and depth.

Hence, for admission into top colleges, aiming for a TOEFL iBT Writing sectional score in the range of 27-30 is ideal, with 24-26 being acceptable for many competitive programs. These scores reflect your ability to write clearly, coherently, and with a high degree of fluency and accuracy, making you a strong candidate for the most prestigious institutions. By practicing diligently, seeking feedback, and focusing on advanced language use and essay structure, you can achieve the high Writing scores needed to enhance your application to top-tier universities.