TOEFL iBT® · Writing · 2026

TOEFL Write an Email: how the task works

Write an Email is one of the two longer tasks in the 2026 TOEFL iBT® Writing section. You read a short scenario and write a purposeful email — a recommendation, an invitation or a solution to a problem — in 7 minutes. Here's the format, an original example, and tips — then try it in a free full-length mock.

The Writing section is the third section of the 2026 test. It contains 12 items in total, takes about 23 minutes, and is linear rather than adaptive — everyone taking a given test form answers the same tasks. Write an Email and Write for an Academic Discussion are scored by AI; the Build a Sentence task is machine-scored.

What the task is

You are given a scenario — set in an academic or social setting — and asked to write an email that gets a particular job done. Depending on the situation, that might mean recommending something, inviting someone, sorting out a problem, or passing on information clearly.

You then write a multi-sentence email that responds to the scenario. You have 7 minutes to read the prompt and produce your email.

A worked example

This is our own illustration of the format (not an official test prompt or response).

Notice how the email meets the goal (a solution to the space problem), opens and closes in a natural way, tells each person what to do, and offers to make the booking — all in a few clear, connected sentences.

How it's scored

• 1 item — the Writing section includes a single Write an Email task.
• AI-scored.
• CEFR B1–C2 — from independent to proficient users.
• 7 minutes to read the scenario and write your email.
• Part of the 12-item, linear Writing section (about 23 minutes), which is the third section. Because the section is linear, everyone taking a form gets the same task.

What it measures

Your email is judged on whether it produces a multi-sentence email that:

• does what the situation needs, with the everyday courtesies the reader expects (a suitable greeting and sign-off);
• is developed enough and reads clearly from one sentence to the next;
• draws on varied grammar and vocabulary, used accurately; and
• gets the mechanics right — spelling, punctuation and capitalisation.

How to prepare

• Read the scenario for the goal. Decide early whether you are recommending, inviting or solving a problem — that single choice shapes the whole email.
• Cover every point. The scenario usually implies two or three things to address; a strong email deals with all of them rather than just one.
• Open and close properly. A short greeting and sign-off are part of the everyday courtesy the task looks for.
• Keep it cohesive. Link your sentences so the reader can follow the plan — words like "because", "so that" and "once" carry a lot of weight.
• Watch the clock. With only 7 minutes, plan briefly, then leave a moment at the end to check spelling, punctuation and capitalisation.
• Write several practice emails across different scenarios — a recommendation, an invitation, a problem to solve — so the format feels routine on test day.

Avermond Test Prep is an independent preparation service. TOEFL® is a registered trademark of ETS. This product is not endorsed or approved by ETS. Task descriptions and item counts reflect ETS's published January-2026 TOEFL iBT test specifications and may be subject to minor revision before launch.