TOEFL Writing iBT: Crafting Clear & Well-Structured Essays

Developing skills in organizing ideas, structuring your response, and expressing yourself proficiently in writing tasks!

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A Brief on TOEFL Writing iBT

TOEFL is a test for non-native English speakers aiming to study or work in English-speaking places. One crucial component of the TOEFL test is the Writing section, known as TOEFL Writing iBT (Internet-Based Test).

TOEFL Writing iBT assesses your ability to convey thoughts, ideas, and opinions in written English. Therefore, it is crucial to grasp the basics to unlock doors of opportunities through top scores in this exam.

Doing well here shows English proficiency and analytical skills, boosting your overall TOEFL score. TOEFL Writing iBT has two parts: Integrated Task and Academic Discussion Task.

Let’s explore every essential detail on TOEFL Writing iBT that you need to know for starters!

Overview of TOEFL Writing iBT Tasks

TOEFL Writing iBT consists of two tasks: the Integrated Writing Task and the Academic Discussion Writing Task.

In the first task, that is the Integrated Writing Task, you must pick the most important information from the lecture and express it in a clear, correct manner, relating it to the relevant details in the reading.

On the other hand, the TOEFL iBT Writing's Academic Discussion Task, test-takers are required to articulate and support their viewpoint in response to an online academic discussion typically initiated by a professor.

	Integrated Task	Academic Discussion Task
Duration	20 minutes	10 minutes
Skills Involved	Reading, Listening & Writing	Writing

Understanding Evaluation Criteria for TOEFL Writing iBT

The combined score for the two tasks in the TOEFL Writing iBT section is 30, with the scores for each task being converted to a scale of 1 to 30.

However, grasping the significance of the total score and preparing for the TOEFL iBT Writing test can be challenging without a clear understanding of the evaluation rubrics for each task. Therefore, before starting practice for TOEFL iBT Writing, let us analyse the rubrics based on which the answers for the Writing tasks are assessed.

Level	Score Range	CEFR Level	Description
Advanced	24-30	C1	Test takers possess the ability to express themselves in English proficiently across a broad spectrum of academic and non-academic subjects with confidence and clarity.
Advanced	24-30	C1	Test takers are proficient in creating coherent, well-structured writing with less grammatical errors, articulating complex viewpoints on controversial topics with captivating details, and skillfully combining and presenting data from various sources in written form, sometimes with slight inaccuracies.
High-Intermediate	17–23	B2	Test takers are proficient in writing English on common topics and can effectively convey most main ideas when addressing complex or academic subjects.
High-Intermediate	17–23	B2	Test takers are able to summarise information from a variety of sources, capturing the majority of the main ideas, articulate opinions coherently, and exhibit a moderate level of writing proficiency. There might be some ambiguity, lack of clarity and grammatical errors.
Low-Intermediate	13–16	B1	Test takers can typically create uncomplicated answers in English on common or familiar topics.
Low-Intermediate	13–16	B1	Test takers can generally produce straightforward answers expressing some ideas on an issue, summarise information from multiple sources, and demonstrate some proficiency. However, there will be limited development, omission of important ideas and language errors that might obscure connections or meaning in the answers.
Basic	7–12	A2	Test takers can typically convey extremely fundamental information in written English.
Basic	7–12	A2	Test takers can generally produce text on the subject, with little to no organisation or detail; they are able to communicate concepts or information from sources, but their writing is difficult to understand due to grammatical errors, unclear expressions, and/or poorly constructed sentences.

Why Choose TOEFL iBT?

Choosing TOEFL iBT can be a strategic decision for several compelling reasons. Let’s explore the factors that make TOEFL iBT stand out!

Global Recognition

TOEFL iBT scores are widely accepted by universities, colleges, and institutions, making it a global benchmark.

Comprehensive Assessment

It evaluates proficiency in reading, listening, speaking, and writing, providing a well-rounded assessment.

Flexibility in Test Administration

The test allows one to choose from nearby testing locations or the convenience of home to take the exam.

Real-life Situations

TOEFL iBT tasks simulate real-life academic and professional situations to check the candidates’ ability to communicate in different situations.

Regular Updates

TOEFL iBT is regularly updated to align with evolving language standards to ensure its relevance and accuracy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I complete the Integrated Task and forget to complete the Academic Discussion Task for TOEFL Writing iBT?

If you fail to complete any of the TOEFL Writing Tasks, you will only receive your score for the sections you completed and the entire test score will not be displayed on the score report.

Can I take notes during the TOEFL Writing section?

Yes, note-taking is allowed, especially during the Integrated Writing Task where you need to put together information from reading and listening passages.

Are there word count requirements for TOEFL writing answers?

The ideal word limit for the TOEFL iBT essays is at least 150 words for the Integrated Task and 100 words for the Academic Discussion Task. It is advisable to write answers that are well-developed and meet the expectations of the tasks.

Can I use personal examples in the Academic Discussion Writing Task?

Yes, using personal examples to support your opinions in the Academic Discussion Writing Task is encouraged as they add authenticity and depth to your answer.

What kind of tone should I use to answer the TOEFL Writing iBT tasks?

It is recommended that you should use academic tone and language in both the tasks of TOEFL Writing as they are designed to mimic the type of academic activities you might encounter in an English-speaking educational environment.

Will spelling mistakes and minor grammatical errors reduce my score in TOEFL Writing?

It is better to avoid making any spelling mistakes and grammatical errors in the answers for TOEFL Writing. It is because even though the human grader ignores these minor mistakes as they are not affecting the content understanding, the software used for grading might not.