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New TOEFL iBT - Writing Section
New TOEFL iBT - Writing Section
This block summarizes the post-2026 Writing section only: task types, item counts, timing, and the score display. No preparation guidance is included.
Item Count
12 items presented in concise writing prompts.
Estimated Timing
About 23 minutes for the section.
Adaptive?
No the Writing section is not adaptive.
Task Types in Writing (from Jan 21, 2026)
| Task | What You See | What You Do (Focus) | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build a Sentence | Prompt to form a well-structured sentence. | Produce a grammatically correct, coherent sentence. | General academic & campus contexts. |
| Write an Email | Short, practical campus message request. | Convey purpose clearly with appropriate tone and format. | Student-staff communication; campus logistics. |
| Writing for an Academic Discussion | Concise forum-style prompt with a discussion thread. | State a position and support it with brief reasons/examples. | Intro-level academic topics across disciplines. |
Score Display (Writing)
Writing is reported on a 1-6 band scale in 0.5 increments. The Writing band contributes to the overall TOEFL iBT band shown on the score report.
Tags
TOEFL
TOEFLiBT
TOEFL2026
Writing
NewTOEFL
BuildASentence
WriteAnEmail
AcademicDiscussion
WritingSection
ExamUpdate
ScoreBands
1to6Scale
AcademicEnglish
CampusEnglish
TestChanges
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