Toefl exam Essentials

Find Topics Online
All of the writing prompts used on the computer-based
TOEFL exam are available online. Although you cannot
select which one you want to write about on the test,
make sure to review the topics list. Pick several prompts
and practice composing essays (be sure to time yourself ).
To view the topics:
1.
Go to www.toefl.org.
2.
Click on “Test Prep.”
3.
Click on “Writing Topics.”

---

120
TOEFL EXAM ESSENTIALS
uniforms, but there should be restrictions about what kind
of clothing students can wear.”
ALL ABOUT SCORING
The scoring system for the computer test and the TWE exam is
the same: two readers independently rate your essay and give it
a score from 0–6. The two scores are then averaged to determine
your final essay score. For example, if one reader gives your essay
a score of 6 and the other a 5, your score will be 5.5. If there is a
discrepancy of more than one point, (e.g., one reader rates your
essay a 4, and the other a 6), a third reader will independently score
your essay.
The developers of the TOEFL exam created a scoring guide
to aid readers in rating essays. The guide names specific criteria
for each score. The official writing guide is available online at
www.toefl.org or in the exam bulletin. Review the qualities of a
top-rated essay. The more you know about what official exam read-
ers are looking for, the more likely you will meet those expecta-
tions. The following guidelines are adapted from the TOEFL
exam “Writing Score Guide.”