TOEFL writing practice in the 2026 format. Each test contains 10 Build-a-Sentence items, a 7-minute email task, and a 10-minute academic discussion post, with expert evaluation and 1-6 band scoring. Take a free practice test to start.
Pick any of the 16 numbered tests. Each test is a complete 2026 Writing section with all three task types.
Email about a portal upload error and discussion on sin taxes for unhealthy foods.
Email about a delayed sociology textbook and discussion on tablets vs. printed books.
Email rescheduling peer-mentor training and discussion on banning private cars in cities.
Email about a reassigned parking lot and discussion on banning single-use plastics.
Email to a missing group teammate and discussion on the four-day workweek.
Email following up with a guest researcher and discussion on AI tools in the classroom.
Email about a sublet dishwasher repair and discussion on daily PE in schools.
Email about a wrong-size graduation regalia order and discussion on regulating influencer ads.
Email about missing campus-visit materials and discussion on standardized testing.
Email asking for a workshop refund and discussion on city scooter rentals.
Email about a rejected campaign poster and discussion on anonymous news sources.
Email switching from pass/fail to a letter grade and discussion on remote work.
Email about a bike storage deadline and discussion on green roofs vs. retrofits.
Email about a missing course pack and discussion on returning museum artifacts.
Email about a club room reassignment and discussion on facial recognition in public spaces.
Email checking on a summer research application and discussion on tourism caps in popular cities.
The TOEFL writing section in the 2026 format takes 23 minutes per the ETS Test Blueprint and includes three distinct task types. This is a significant change from the previous format, which featured an integrated writing task and an independent essay. ETS has completely removed integrated writing and replaced it with shorter, more focused tasks that test practical writing ability in real-world contexts.
The first task, Build a Sentence, presents 10 items where you arrange scrambled word chunks into grammatically correct sentences. This tests your knowledge of English syntax, clause structures, and word order. The second task, Write an Email, gives you a situational prompt and asks you to compose a 130 to 140 word email response within 7 minutes. You need to demonstrate appropriate tone, clear organization, and effective communication. The third task, Academic Discussion, places you in an online classroom setting where a professor poses a question and classmates respond. You have 10 minutes to contribute a well-supported opinion that engages with the discussion.
All three tasks are scored by expert evaluators using the 1 to 6 band scale aligned to CEFR levels. On TOEFLMock, you can submit your responses for free expert evaluation with personalized feedback delivered within 24 to 48 hours.
The 2026 TOEFL writing section includes three distinct task types, each testing different aspects of your writing ability.
Arrange scrambled word chunks into grammatically correct and meaningful sentences. This task has 10 items and tests your understanding of English syntax, clause structures, and proper word order.
Compose a 130-140 word email responding to a given situation within 7 minutes. You must demonstrate appropriate tone, clear organization, correct grammar, and effective communication skills.
Contribute to an online academic discussion with a professor and classmates within 10 minutes. You must present a clear opinion, support it with specific examples, and engage meaningfully with the topic.
Effective strategies to maximize your performance on the writing section.
Practice combining clauses, using varied grammar patterns, and building complex sentences. Strong syntax knowledge directly improves your Build a Sentence accuracy and overall writing quality.
Know the difference between formal and informal tone. Practice standard greeting and closing patterns, appropriate salutations, and how to adjust your register based on the situation described in the prompt.
Spend the first 1-2 minutes outlining your key points before you start writing. A clear plan helps you stay organized, stay within the word count, and produce a more coherent response under time pressure.
Clear, error-free writing scores higher than overly complex sentences with mistakes. Use vocabulary you are confident about, proofread your work, and prioritize making your ideas easy to understand.
Everything you need to know about the TOEFL writing section and our free practice tests
The 2026 TOEFL writing section takes 23 minutes per the ETS Test Blueprint in total. It includes three task types: Build a Sentence (about 6 minutes for 10 items), Write an Email (7 minutes for a 130-140 word response), and Academic Discussion (10 minutes to contribute to a class discussion). This is notably shorter than the old format, which took 50 minutes and included an integrated essay.
The three writing task types are Build a Sentence, Write an Email, and Academic Discussion. Build a Sentence requires arranging scrambled word chunks into grammatically correct sentences. Write an Email asks you to compose a 130-140 word email in response to a situational prompt. Academic Discussion places you in an online classroom where you contribute your opinion to a professor's question alongside classmates' responses.
Build a Sentence is a new task type introduced in the January 2026 TOEFL writing section. You receive scrambled word chunks and must drag or arrange them into a grammatically correct, meaningful sentence. There are 10 items total. The task evaluates your understanding of English syntax, word order, clause structures, and grammatical accuracy without requiring you to generate original text from scratch.
Your Write an Email response should be between 130 and 140 words, and you have 7 minutes to complete it. You will read a brief situation and then compose an appropriate email. Staying within the target word count matters because responses that are too short may lack sufficient detail, while excessively long responses suggest weak time management and editing skills. Aim for clear, well-organized writing within the range.
The 2026 TOEFL writing section uses a 1-6 band scoring scale with 0.5-point increments, aligned to CEFR levels. Each of the three tasks is scored against the official ETS TOEFL iBT 2026 rubric — assessing grammar accuracy, vocabulary range, coherence, task completion, and appropriateness of tone and register. Your overall writing band score is a composite of all three task scores.
No, the integrated writing task has been completely removed from the 2026 TOEFL. Previously, you had to read a passage, listen to a lecture, and write a response combining information from both sources. The new format replaces this with three independent tasks: Build a Sentence, Write an Email, and Academic Discussion. You no longer need to practice reading-listening-writing integration for the writing section.
Focus on mastering each task type individually. For Build a Sentence, study English clause structures and word order rules daily. For Write an Email, learn formal and informal conventions including greetings, closings, and tone. For Academic Discussion, practice forming clear opinions and supporting them with specific examples. Always proofread before submitting and prioritize clarity over trying to use complex vocabulary.
Academic Discussion topics cover a broad range of university-level subjects such as education, technology, environment, health, social issues, and campus life. You will read a professor's question along with two classmates' responses, then contribute your own opinion. Topics are intentionally designed to be accessible regardless of your academic background, so you do not need specialized knowledge to respond effectively.
Basic structural outlines can help you organize your ideas, but relying heavily on memorized templates is not recommended for the 2026 TOEFL. the official ETS rubric can easily identify formulaic responses, and these typically receive lower scores. Instead, focus on building flexible writing skills: learn paragraph structure, practice smooth transitions, and develop the ability to adapt your tone and style to different task types.
On TOEFLMock, your writing responses are evaluated by experienced English rubric-based scoring trained on official TOEFL rubrics. After you complete a test and submit your responses with an email address, evaluators score each task on the 1-6 band scale. They provide personalized feedback covering grammar, vocabulary, coherence, task fulfillment, and specific areas for improvement. Results arrive within 24-48 hours, completely free.
Strengthen all four TOEFL skills with our complete library of free practice tests.
Get expert advice on how to maximize your writing section score with our in-depth guide.
Read Writing Tips GuidePick any of the 16 numbered tests, all in the full 2026 Writing format with Build a Sentence, Email, and Academic Discussion. Free with expert evaluation.