TOEFL 2026 Writing
Updated · TOEFL 2026 facts and guidance updated.
Grammar mechanics, practical emails, academic argument
What's New in TOEFL 2026
The old format tested integrated skills (reading and listening before writing). The 2026 format tests writing directly: can you arrange words grammatically (Task 1), communicate clearly in a professional context (Task 2), and argue a point in an academic discussion (Task 3)?
Old Format (Pre-2026)
- ✕ Integrated Writing and Academic Discussion
- ✕ Integrated Writing (read + listen + write)
- ✕ Academic Discussion (retained)
- ✕ Focus on academic essay structure
New Format (2026)
- ✓ 3 task types in about 23 minutes
- ✓ Build a Sentence (grammar/syntax)
- ✓ Write an Email (practical communication)
- ✓ Academic Discussion (same format)
Understanding Your Score
Each task tests a different skill and uses a different rubric. Knowing what the graders look for helps you prioritize:
Auto-graded
- Scoring: 1 point per correct sentence
- Focus: Grammar accuracy only
- Partial credit: No
Task rubric (0–5)
- Task completion: All points addressed
- Register: Appropriate tone
- Format: Email conventions
Task rubric (0–5)
- Content: Meaningful contribution
- Engagement: Builds on others
- Language: Academic register
The 3 Writing Tasks
Task 1: Build a Sentence Grammar Focus
10 items | Arrange words or phrases | Follow the block timer
What You'll Do
Arrange scrambled word chunks into a grammatically correct sentence. This tests your understanding of English syntax, word order, and grammar rules. No writing required—just drag and drop words into the right order.
How It Works
Arrange into:
Difficulty Progression
5-8 words, simple S-V-O order
"The library is open today."
8-12 words, clauses and passive
"The data that was collected has been analyzed."
12-18 words, inversion and cleft
"Not only did the experiment fail, but it also wasted resources."
English Word Order Rules (What the Task Tests)
English is SVO: "The researcher conducted the study" not "Conducted the researcher the study."
Exception: Questions ("Did the researcher conduct...")
"The important discovery" not "The discovery important." Multi-adjective order: opinion-size-age-shape-color-origin-material.
Example: "A beautiful old Italian villa"
Clauses starting with "although," "because," "when," "if" can go at the start (with comma) or at the end.
"Although it rained, we continued" OR "We continued although it rained"
After "not only," "never," "rarely," the subject-verb order flips. This is tested in harder questions.
"Not only did the team succeed, but they also..."
- Putting articles in the wrong place ("library the" instead of "the library")
- Forgetting comma after introductory clauses
- Mixing up subject-verb agreement with complex subjects
- Placing adverbs incorrectly in the sentence
Practice this task: Our Build a Sentence practice gives you instant feedback and explains why your arrangement was correct or incorrect.
Start practicing Build a Sentence →Task 2: Write an Email
You have seven minutes to write for a particular reader and purpose in an academic or social situation. Address every requested point in connected sentences, with a greeting and closing that fit the relationship.
The To and Subject fields are supplied task context. You do not need to invent a subject or retype the headers in your response. ETS’s published example gives no numerical word minimum; PrepEx length suggestions and input limits are practice guidance.
Plan the purpose and required points, write the message, then check that the reader could understand and act on it. Useful detail supports the task; extra reasons, a student ID or a longer response are not universal requirements for the top rubric category.
The Email task rubric uses 0–5, while the reported Writing section score uses 1–6 in half-point increments. PrepEx AI estimates are practice feedback, not official results.
- Email Writing format, template and complete worked example
- Six original Email Writing samples and practice questions
- Free Email Writing exercise with a timer and AI feedback
Format checked on 8 September 2026 against the ETS test overview and Writing rubric.
Task 3: Academic Discussion Critical Thinking
10 minutes | Aim for at least 100 words | No published upper word limit
What You'll Do
Read a professor's discussion question and two student responses, then write your own contribution to the discussion. This task is retained from the earlier TOEFL format—so any preparation you've done for it still applies!
Task Structure
Read Professor's Question
An academic topic with context and a specific question to discuss
Read Two Student Responses
Two brief perspectives you can respond to or use to develop your own contribution
Write Your Contribution 10 min
A supported contribution in your own words; ETS recommends at least 100 words for an effective response
One Practice Response Structure
"I agree with [name] that... but would add..."
Why: Shows you read the others AND have your own view. Both matter.
Reason 1 with Support (2-3 sentences):
"[Your main reason]. For example, [specific evidence]."
Why: Reasons without examples are weak. Examples without reasons are random.
New Contribution (2-3 sentences):
Bring something the other students didn't mention.
Relevant explanation, examples or details develop your contribution; no stock phrase guarantees a score.
Conclusion (optional, 1 sentence):
Only if you have room. Better to develop ideas than add a weak conclusion.
A separate conclusion is optional; prioritize a clear, supported answer.
Sample Response:
Topic: Should universities require online courses?
"I agree with Rachel that requiring an online course could benefit students, but I think
Daniel raises an important concern about subjects that can't be taught effectively online.
The key might be flexibility rather than a blanket requirement. Perhaps universities could
require online courses only for students in fields where remote work is common, like business
or computer science, while allowing exemptions for students in hands-on fields like nursing
or engineering.
Additionally, the quality of online courses varies dramatically. A poorly designed online
course might not prepare students for anything—it would just waste their time. Universities
should focus on developing high-quality online offerings before making them mandatory.
In short, the idea has merit, but implementation matters more than the requirement itself."
Why this works: Engages with both students, offers new perspective, provides reasoning, uses academic register, ~140 words.
Scoring Criteria
- Clear, well-supported position
- Original insight or reasoning
- Relevant to the topic
- Makes a relevant contribution in your own words
- Builds on the discussion
- Adds value beyond repetition
- Clear structure
- Good flow and transitions
- Coherent paragraphing
- Academic register
- Varied vocabulary
- Grammatical accuracy
- Simply restating what other students said
- Ignoring the other students' responses entirely
- Going off-topic from the professor's question
- Adding irrelevant material or leaving your opinion unsupported
- Forgetting to actually state your position
Practice this task: Our Academic Discussion practice uses AI to evaluate your response and suggest improvements. PrepEx feedback is a practice estimate, not an official ETS result.
Start practicing Academic Discussion →Your 3-Week Practice Plan
The three tasks require different skills. This plan helps you build each one systematically.
Week 1: Master Grammar & Format
Goal: Nail Build a Sentence and learn email format
- Days 1-2: Build a Sentence easy/medium questions (20-30 sentences)
- Days 3-4: Study email format, write 2-3 practice emails (untimed)
- Days 5-6: Build a Sentence hard questions, focus on clause order
- Day 7: Review grammar rules and practise adapting an email outline
Focus: Accuracy over speed. Get the patterns right first.
Week 2: Build Content Skills
Goal: Write better emails and discussion responses
- Days 1-2: Timed email practice (7 minutes each), 3 per day
- Days 3-4: Academic Discussion—study sample responses, write 2 untimed
- Days 5-6: Timed Academic Discussion (10 minutes), focus on engagement
- Day 7: Mixed Build a Sentence sets + review email/discussion feedback
Focus: Completing tasks within time limits. Addressing all required points.
Week 3: Full Section Practice
Goal: Build stamina for complete writing sections
- Days 1, 3, 5: Complete writing sections (all 3 task types, about 23 minutes)
- Days 2, 4: Focus on your weakest task type
- Day 6: Final full simulation under test conditions
- Day 7: Light review, rest, build confidence
Focus: Consistency across all three tasks. Trust your preparation!
Ready to Start?
Our TOEFL 2026 writing practice includes all three task types with instant AI feedback.
Begin Week 1 TodayTest Day Essentials
Do This
- ✓ Read all required points before writing emails
- ✓ Budget time: 1 min plan, write, 1 min proofread
- ✓ Adapt your email outline to the actual task
- ✓ For Build a Sentence: look for clause markers first
- ✓ For Discussion: support your own contribution to the topic
- ✓ For Discussion: aim for at least 100 words with relevant support
Avoid This
- ✕ Ignore the supplied recipient or subject when planning your email
- ✕ Don't miss any required bullet points
- ✕ Don't use overly casual language with professors
- ✕ Don't just agree without adding new ideas
- ✕ Don't rush—proofread before submitting
- ✕ Don't add length at the expense of relevance or proofreading
Completeness beats eloquence. A clear, complete response with simple vocabulary scores higher than a half-finished response with impressive words. Check: Did I address every required point? If yes, then proofread. If no, keep writing.
Start Practicing
If grammar is your weakness, start with Build a Sentence. If organization is, start with Academic Discussion.