TOEFL iBT · Writing · W3
TOEFL iBT Writing: Writing for an Academic Discussion
Writing for an Academic Discussion is the final TOEFL iBT Writing task. You read a professor's question posted to a class discussion and short replies from two students with different views. In 10 minutes you write your own post that states a position and supports it. ETS guidance says an effective response contains at least 100 words.
- Tasks
- 1
- Time
- 10 minutes
- Length
- At least 100 words is the guidance; no official maximum
- Prompt
- A professor's question plus two students' contrasting posts
- Response
- Your own contribution to the discussion, in your own words
How it works
- 1The professor's question and both student posts appear on screen.
- 2The 10-minute timer starts and you type your post in a plain editor.
- 3A live word counter helps you check the 100-word guidance.
- 4At zero, your response is submitted automatically.
Sample task
Original sample · not from an official test
Professor Hale: Some universities now require every first-year student to take a course in personal finance. Should this be required, or should it remain optional? Explain why. Maya: It should be required. Many students sign their first lease or take out loans without understanding interest. Leo: Optional is better. Students already have heavy schedules, and those who want the course will choose it.
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Outline: Outline: clear position (required, but short) → reason not yet raised by Maya or Leo: credit card offers target new students in their first months → brief example of a classmate who built up debt → answer Leo's concern: a one-credit, eight-week format would not overload schedules → one-sentence conclusion.
The best posts add something new instead of repeating a classmate, and they respond to the other side. Here the writer brings a fresh reason and a compromise that answers Leo's workload point.
Tips that work
- Take a clear position in your first sentence so the reader knows where you stand.
- Add a reason or example that neither student mentioned. Repeating Maya's or Leo's point in different words adds little.
- Refer to a classmate by name when you agree or disagree; it shows you are joining the discussion rather than writing a separate essay.
- Use one well-developed example rather than three thin ones, then stop around 120–150 words so you have time to proofread.
Common mistakes
- Summarizing both students without giving your own view.
- Writing a long introduction that restates the professor's question.
Questions candidates ask
How many words do I need for the Academic Discussion?
ETS guidance says an effective response contains at least 100 words. There is no official maximum, but quality and relevance matter more than length.
Can I agree with one of the students?
Yes, as long as you add your own reason or example. Simply repeating their argument does not show much.
Is this the same as the old TOEFL independent essay?
No. The old Independent Essay and Integrated Writing tasks are gone. This is a shorter, discussion-style post written in 10 minutes.
Does EnglishHub score practice responses?
EnglishHub gives AI feedback on practice posts as an independent estimate, clearly separate from any ETS score.
Other TOEFL iBT Writing tasks
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