# TOEFL Writing 2026: Tasks, Scoring and Tips | topin TOEFL guidesTOEFL Writing ![](/mountains/writing.webp) TOEFL iBT # TOEFL Writing: the 2026 format, explained TOEFL Writing is the third section of the TOEFL iBT: ten Build a Sentence items, one email and one academic discussion post, in about 23 minutes. It takes accurate grammar, clear organisation and writing quickly under a tight clock. [Take a free TOEFL mock ](/toefl/login) Updated 29 September 2026 · 4 min read ## At a glance Time About 23 minutes Tasks 10 Build a Sentence, 1 Write an Email, 1 Academic Discussion Email 7 minutes, three goals to cover Academic Discussion 10 minutes, respond to a professor and two classmates Adaptive No, everyone sees the same kind of tasks Score 1–6 band scale in half-band steps ## TOEFL Writing question types ### Build a Sentence Someone says something in a campus or everyday exchange, and you put word chips in order to form a correct reply. Each item is right or wrong. Tip: Find the verb and subject first, then place question words, auxiliaries and prepositions around them. Watch for indirect questions, where the word order is the same as a statement. ### Write an Email A short scenario with a recipient, a subject and three goals, such as explaining a problem, describing what you have tried and asking for help. You have 7 minutes. Tip: Write one short paragraph for each goal, in the order given, with a greeting and a sign-off. Match the tone to the reader: polite and formal for a professor, friendlier for a classmate. ### Academic Discussion A professor posts a question on a class discussion board and two students reply with different views. You write your own contribution in 10 minutes. Tip: State your position in the first sentence, then add one new reason or example that neither student gave. Refer briefly to a classmate's point to show you are taking part in the discussion. ## How TOEFL Writing is scored Build a Sentence items are marked right or wrong, and the email and discussion are each scored against the TOEFL task criteria for how well they answer the task, organisation, and range and accuracy of language. The results combine into a Writing band on the 1–6 scale in half-band steps. topin marks both written tasks with the sentences to rework highlighted and a model answer to compare against. [TOEFL score calculatorTurn your four section bands into an overall band on the 2026 1–6 scale, with CEFR.](/toefl/score-calculator) ## How to prepare for TOEFL Writing 1. 1 ### Use a fixed email structure Greeting, one line of context, one paragraph per goal, a polite closing line and a sign-off. With a set structure you spend the 7 minutes on content, not layout. Around 120–150 words is realistic in the time. 2. 2 ### Add something new in the discussion Repeating a classmate's argument in different words adds little. Before you type, decide on one reason and one specific example that the other posts missed. Aim for a focused paragraph of around 100–150 words. 3. 3 ### Drill tricky sentence patterns Build a Sentence gets harder with embedded questions, passives and inversions. Practise turning direct questions into indirect ones ("Where is the library?" to "Do you know where the library is?") until the order is automatic. 4. 4 ### Save a minute to proofread Small errors in articles, verb agreement and plurals pull down the language part of your score. Leave the last minute of each written task to reread and fix them. 5. 5 ### Practise at test speed The clock is tight, so untimed practice gives a false picture. Write every practice email in 7 minutes and every discussion post in 10, then compare with a model answer. ## Common TOEFL Writing mistakes * Skipping one of the three email goals, which lowers the task score however good the language is. * Writing a formal essay with an introduction and conclusion for the discussion task instead of a direct post. * Restating a classmate's idea rather than adding a new one. * Spending too long on one Build a Sentence item and rushing the email. * Using a tone that does not fit the reader, such as a casual email to a professor. ## TOEFL Writing questions, answered How long is TOEFL Writing in 2026? About 23 minutes: the Build a Sentence items, then 7 minutes for the email and 10 minutes for the academic discussion. Is the TOEFL integrated writing task still on the test? No. Since January 2026 the Writing section is Build a Sentence, Write an Email and Academic Discussion. The reading-and-lecture integrated essay is gone. How is TOEFL Writing scored? Build a Sentence items are right or wrong, and the email and discussion are each scored on a task rubric. Together they give a Writing band from 1 to 6 in half-band steps. How many words should a TOEFL email be? There is no strict word count. Covering all three goals clearly and politely matters more, and around 120–150 words is a sensible target in 7 minutes. How many words for the TOEFL academic discussion? There is no strict limit, but a focused post of around 100–150 words is enough to state a view, support it and add a new idea. ## See where you stand in TOEFL Writing Your first full-length TOEFL mock is free, with every section included. [Take the free mock ](/toefl/login)