Do you want to know the scoring system and marketing criteria of the TOEFL writing section? If yes, then let me tell you. In this blog, we will discuss everything regarding the TOEFL writing score, the marking scheme, the scoring system, the ideal writing score, and some important tips to improve the score. So let’s get started.
TOEFL is one of the leading English tests in the world. It is also one of the most popular English tests for Indian students going abroad. Besides other English tests, TOEFL is also accepted for admission into universities abroad. You have to score very well to get admitted into the topmost universities in the world. The TOEFL measures your English in 4 sections: Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking. The Writing section is often among the most difficult to score for Indian students. But don’t worry, we have provided some tips in this article to help you score good marks in the TOEFL exam.
Format of the TOEFL Writing Section
To get the ideal TOEFL writing score, you must be aware of the format of the writing section. The writing section is one of the TOEFL’s most important and weighted sections. The writing section will consist of just two tasks. These two tasks are lengthy and may seem difficult to complete in the given short time duration.
TOEFL Writing Task 1
The first writing task is of 20-minute duration. You will have to read a short paragraph about a random topic and then listen to a short audio clip based on the same passage. Then, you will have to summarize your ideas into an essay based on what you have read and listed.
TOEFL Writing Task 2
TOEFL Writing Task Two is of 30 minutes. In this task, you will be given a scenario or a specific topic. You have to understand that topic, think about it, and then share your opinion in an essay format. The prompt usually includes only general and relevant topics. You do not need to be a subject matter expert to understand the prompt to get a high TOEFL Writing score. You can use your general aptitude to understand what the prompt is and write an essay that includes all the points with relevant examples.
Related Article: TOEFL Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2023: Section-wise Analysis
TOEFL Writing Section Scoring System
The scoring system of the TOEFL writing section often confuses students. The scoring system is designed to make it easier for you to obtain the ideal TOEFL listening score. The scores are first generated after you take the exam. These scores are called Raw scores, which are between 0 and 5. Then, the examiners take these raw scores as a base to calculate the actual scores, which range from 0-30.
Below is the detailed score conversion from raw to actual:
| TOEFL Writing Raw score | Actual score |
| 5.00 | 30 |
| 4.75 | 29 |
| 4.50 | 27 |
| 4.25 | 25 |
| 4.00 | 24 |
| 3.75 | 22 |
| 3.50 | 21 |
| 3.25 | 20 |
| 3.00 | 18 |
| 2.75 | 17 |
| 2.50 | 15 |
| 2.25 | 14 |
| 2.00 | 12 |
| 1.75 | 11 |
| 1.50 | 10 |
| 1.25 | 9 |
| 1.00 | 8 |
| – | 7 |
| – | 5 |
| – | 4 |
| – | 0 |
Marking system of the TOEFL Writing section
The most important aspect of getting the ideal TOEFL written score is to understand the marking system of the exam and verify your answers accurately. If you understand the marking system correctly, you will be able to design your answer in such a way that the examiner gives you the maximum score possible.
Marking Scheme of Writing Task 1 of the TOEFL
The table below shows the raw scores and the basis on which the marks are awarded in Writing Task 1 of the TOEFL Exam.
| Raw score | Interpretation |
| 0 | The lowest TOEFL Writing score is given to an answer that does not count as an essay. The user, which merely contains the information given in the question and nothing new, is given this score. If there are a lot of grammatical mistakes that make it impossible for the examiner to read the answer correctly, then this score can be given. |
| 1 | Satisfies the format of an essay but does not contain much useful information. This can also be an easy full of grammatical errors with a low level of language |
| 2 | The flow of the topics in the essay is perfect and logical, with little to no grammatical errors. It contains all the important points in the audio clips. The essay structure is to the point and does not contain any irrelevant information. |
| 3 | The topics of the essay are connected or relevant to the audio clips and texts given in the passage. Does not contain all the important points Grammatically incomplete sentences |
| 4 | The essay contains most of the important topics that need to be covered. Some of the points are not clearly described. Minor inaccuracy and some grammatical mistakes |
| 5 | The flow of the topics in the essay is perfect and logical, with little to no grammatical errors. It contains all the important points in the audio clips. The essay structure is to the point and does not contain any irrelevant information. |
Marking Scheme of Writing Task 2 of the TOEFL
The table below shows the raw scores and the basis on which the marks are awarded in the Writing Task 2 of the TOEFL Exam.
| Raw Score | Interpretation |
| 0 | The lowest TOEFL Writing score is given if a candidate has not written anything meaningful. Completely wrong interpretation of the prompt provided Many grammatical mistakes make the answer unreadable. |
| 1 | The content has little to no relevance to the prompt. Too many grammatical mistakes.Inclusion of points that are not related or not important. Limited use of vocabulary with no organization in lines. |
| 2 | The topic has not been interpreted as perfectly as it should be. Use of unprofessional or incorrect sentences. Little to no examples are used to make the answer meaningful. The topics included are not well organized or connected. |
| 3 | The format of the essay is up to the mark. The topics included in the answer are not perfect but satisfactory. Use of standard language with less richness. Occasionally, unrelated sentences with inconsistency in writing. |
| 4 | Perfect format of the essay. The use of above-average language is vocabulary. Points included are connected and explained. Not many examples are provided. There is some inconsistency in the writing. |
| 5 | The format of the essay is perfect. Vocabulary and the level of language are above standard. All the points have been explained with examples. The sentences are ordered correctly with little to no grammatical mistakes. |
Also Read: 20 Best TOEFL Accepted Universities in Canada in 2023
What is a good TOEFL Writing score?
Most students are confused regarding the ideal score for the TOEFL writing section. But there is no perfect ideal score that you must obtain, however, you should aim to have an above-average score to get admission to most universities. The table below shows the score comparison and analysis:
| Percentile Ranking | Actual Score | Raw Score |
| 90th | 27 | 9 |
| 75th | 25 | 8 |
| 50th | 22 | 7 |
| 25th | 19 | 6 |
| 10th | 15 | 4.5 |
By analyzing the above-given table, one can easily conclude that any score above 20 is considered a good score for TOEFL writing. Some prestigious universities may require you to have a very good score, like above 27. You must check your preferred university website for the score that they require.
How to obtain a high TOEFL writing score?
Now that you have understood the TOEFL writing section, the scoring system, and the marking system, you should know how to obtain this score. Whatever your target score may be, you can achieve that by following some simple tips. These tips are mentioned below:
Practice writing daily
The most important thing that you can do to increase your TOEFL Writing score is to practice daily. You can start by writing a page or two daily in your diary. This will help your mind to come in the process of sentence building and thinking in English.
Improve your Vocabulary
As you might have noticed in the above marking scheme table, vocabulary plays a very important role in determining whether or not you get a high TOEFL Writing score. You must read new words every day and try to incorporate them into your regular speaking and writing so that you can use them easefully in the test.
Practice Mock tests
If you don’t have much confidence before the actual exam, then opt for some mock tests. They are the best way to self-evaluate. After you take the test and receive your scores, evaluate the results to know what went wrong and try to improve it.
Use Reference books wisely
Students often say that reference books are the most helpful for increasing the TOEFL writing score. You can get any of the best-selling books and start reading the sample essays provided. While reading, try to understand the organization of sentences, vocabulary, and the content used in them.
Read the prompt carefully
Many students, while attending the writing section, read the prompt hastily and thus make mistakes by not including all the important points or by misinterpreting the prompt. Take enough time to read the prompt carefully and then devise an essay in your mind that includes all the important points with relevant examples.
All these tips will help you score high marks in the TOEFL Exam.
Also Read: 25+ TOEFL Accepted Universities in USA in 2023
Conclusion
The TOEFL writing section is one of the most important sections of the test. This is also considered one of the hardest and most lengthy sections. Many students also face difficulties in obtaining the ideal TOEFL writing score. However, if you practice correctly and write your essay skillfully, you can easily obtain a high score. You can also follow the tips given in this blog to increase your score.
Even if you have been scoring well in the writing section, you must continuously take mock tests to improve your score. Understanding the prompt, writing in a standard language with vocabulary, and framing sentences without grammatical mistakes is the key to obtaining a high TOEFL writing score. I hope the information provided in this blog will be helpful to you. To learn more about TOEFL and other English language tests, visit CourseMentor’s official website and get expert guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long does it take to receive TOEFL scores, including the Writing section?
You can view your TOEFL scores online within 6 days after the test date. Official score reports are sent to the institutions you specify and typically take about 10 days to reach them.
2. What is considered a good TOEFL Writing score?
A good TOEFL Writing score is typically around 4.0 or higher. However, the acceptable score may vary depending on the specific requirements of the university or program you are applying to.
