In the TOEFL iBT Writing for an Academic Discussion Task, the instructions are clear but must be carefully followed for a high score. This writing task is part of the new format introduced by ETS in July 2023. It simulates a university classroom environment where you respond to a professor’s question and engage in an online academic discussion.
The prompt consists of three components:
A professor’s academic question
Three short responses from students
A writing instruction for your own post
Your task is to write a short, focused response in 10 minutes. You must clearly express your own opinion, refer to at least one classmate’s response, and support your view with reasons or examples.
The TOEFL iBT Writing for an Academic Discussion prompt typically includes the following:
The professor asks a question related to an academic or campus-based issue. For example:
Professor Smith: “Some universities are considering making attendance optional for lectures. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not?”
Three different students reply to the professor’s question. Their comments vary in opinion, tone, and argument strength. For example:
Student A: I believe attendance should be mandatory. Without it, students won’t learn discipline, which is crucial for professional success.
Student B: I think students should be free to decide. If they can learn from recordings or other sources, forcing attendance is unnecessary.
Student C: I’m in favor of optional attendance only for upper-level students who already know how to manage their time.
You will see a directive that looks like this:
Directions: Read the question and the responses from other students. Then, write your own post to the discussion. In your response, you should do the following:
Express and support your opinion.
Explain why you agree or disagree with one or more of the other students.
Your response should be about 100–120 words.
Understanding and following the task instructions is essential. Here’s a breakdown of what you must do:
Clearly state your position on the topic. You should not just summarize other views. Make sure to take a side and defend it.
Directly refer to at least one student’s response. You can agree or disagree with them, but you must engage with their point in a meaningful way.
Back up your opinion with a brief reason, example, or explanation. Even a simple personal experience or academic fact can strengthen your argument.
Your post must be concise. Avoid long introductions or off-topic details. Focus on clarity, logic, and relevance.
The task is strictly timed. You have only 10 minutes to read the prompt, understand the arguments, plan your reply, and write your response.
The time constraint is one of the most important aspects of the task. You must learn how to manage your time effectively. Here is a recommended breakdown:
Identify the topic
Understand what is being asked
Identify which student(s) you agree or disagree with
Mentally note their reasoning
Choose your position
Think of 1–2 supporting points
Decide which classmate to reference and how
Compose a 4–5 sentence response (about 100–120 words)
Check for grammar, spelling, and clarity
Make sure all instructions are followed
Time management affects your content, organization, and language quality. Without a clear plan, students often:
Spend too much time reading
Start writing without a structure
Run out of time before finishing
Fail to edit for small but costly errors
When time is limited, every second matters. That’s why it’s essential to practice under timed conditions and build fluency in generating ideas quickly.
ETS recommends a word count of 100–120 words. If your response exceeds this limit slightly (e.g., 125 words), it won’t automatically lower your score. However:
You risk spending too much time writing
Your content may become repetitive or unfocused
You might make more grammatical mistakes
Staying within the word limit helps you prioritize quality over quantity, which is critical in this task.
A strong response typically includes:
I agree with Student B that students should have the freedom to choose whether to attend lectures.
Some students learn better through online materials and prefer flexible schedules, especially if they have jobs or family responsibilities.
Student A says mandatory attendance builds discipline, but I think real responsibility comes from managing your own time, not being forced.
Allowing students to choose will make them more accountable and independent.
This four-part structure ensures that your response is complete, focused, and meets all the instructions.
Your performance on this task is scored on a scale of 0 to 5, based on four key criteria:
Did you follow the instructions fully?
Is your response easy to follow?
Is your grammar and vocabulary appropriate?
Did you support your ideas with relevant reasoning?
Failure to follow the instructions (e.g., not referencing a classmate or exceeding the time) can directly reduce your score.
Students often make the following errors:
Writing a generic opinion without referring to any student reduces task relevance.
Trying to write a full essay leads to time pressure and errors.
Spending too much time reading and planning leaves little room for writing and editing.
Answering a different question or misunderstanding the professor’s post results in a low score.
To improve your timing and instruction-following skills:
Use a stopwatch
Practice with real TOEFL prompts
Limit yourself to 10 minutes per task
Focus on expressing your opinion quickly and clearly
Evaluate if your response includes all required elements
Prompt:
Professor: Some students believe it’s better to work part-time while studying at university, while others think students should focus entirely on academics. What do you think?
Student A: I believe students should only focus on their studies. A part-time job is too stressful.
Student B: I think working part-time helps students develop time management and financial independence.
Student C: Maybe students can work during summer or winter breaks instead of the academic year.
Response Plan (10 Minutes Total):
1 min: Identify key opinions
2 mins: Choose your stance (agree with Student B)
2 mins: Think of support (time management, finances)
5 mins: Write and review (approx. 110 words)
Sample Response:
I agree with Student B that part-time jobs can benefit university students. Working helps students manage their time better and gain financial independence. Although Student A says it adds stress, I believe learning to balance responsibilities is a valuable life skill. It also makes students appreciate the value of money, which is important for future financial planning.
Understanding and following the TOEFL iBT Writing Task 2 instructions is essential for success. By focusing on your opinion, engaging with classmates, and managing your time wisely within the 10-minute limit, you can develop strong, coherent responses that meet TOEFL’s academic standards.
Prepare with real prompts, practice time allocation, and build the habit of quick, focused writing. These habits will help you excel not just on test day—but also in your academic life.