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Mastering the TOEIC Writing Exam: Your Path to Global Communication
What exactly is TOEIC Writing? How many parts does it include? And how can you achieve a high score in both TOEIC Writing and TOEIC Speaking and Writing? Let’s explore the details and proven study strategies to help you reach your target score with Prep!
- I. What Is the TOEIC Writing Test?
- II. Objectives of the TOEIC Writing Test
- III. TOEIC Writing Test Format and Duration
- IV. TOEIC Writing Scoring System
- The TOEIC Writing test is scored on a scale of 0 to 200 points, divided into 9 proficiency levels. Each candidate receives a detailed score report, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.
- V. TOEIC Writing Evaluation Criteria
- VI. Tài liệu ôn thi TOEIC Writing hiệu quả
- VII. Sample TOEIC Writing Exam Collection
- VIII. Strategies for Achieving a High Score in TOEIC Writing
- IX. Where to Prepare for TOEIC Writing?
I. What Is the TOEIC Writing Test?
The TOEIC Writing test is one of two components of the TOEIC Speaking and Writing exam. Its primary purpose is to assess candidates’ English writing skills in a professional, international work environment.
Strong writing skills are essential for professionals to communicate clearly and persuasively through emails and other business-related documents.
II. Objectives of the TOEIC Writing Test
What exactly is the main objective of the TOEIC Writing test? How does it compare to TOEIC Speaking? The answer reveals a critical distinction in professional English communication skills.
1. A Standard for High-Quality Workforce Assessment
For HR managers and recruiters, TOEIC Speaking and Writing (including TOEIC Writing) serves as a benchmark for evaluating employees' English proficiency. This certification provides a valuable tool to:
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Recruit, train, and promote candidates with the required English skills.
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Optimize resources and time by identifying employees who can communicate effectively in an international work setting.
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Develop a workforce capable of collaborating with colleagues and clients across different countries.
Companies that use both TOEIC Listening and Reading and TOEIC Speaking and Writing gain a comprehensive and reliable assessment of all four English communication skills.
2. A Global Advantage for Certificate Holders
According to IIG statistics, over 14,000 organizations across 160 countries rely on TOEIC exams, with more than 7 million tests administered annually.
This means that earning a TOEIC 4-skills certification can significantly boost your career prospects in an international job market.
III. TOEIC Writing Test Format and Duration
The TOEIC Writing test evaluates candidates' ability to write English effectively in everyday situations and professional settings. It consists of 8 questions and has a total duration of 60 minutes. Below is a detailed breakdown:
TOEIC Writing Test Structure |
||||
Section |
Details |
Questions |
Time Limit |
Description |
Write a sentence based on a picture (Viết câu theo 1 bức tranh cho sẵn) |
Q1-5 |
8 minutes |
For each image, you will be given two words or phrases that you must use in a sentence. You can modify the word forms and arrange them in any order. |
|
Respond to a written request (Trả lời một yêu cầu bằng văn bản) |
Q6-7 |
20 minutes |
Demonstrate your ability to write an email response. You have 10 minutes to read and reply to each email. |
|
Write an opinion essay (Viết bài luận trình bày quan điểm) |
Q8 |
30 minutes |
Write an essay responding to a question that requires you to state, explain, and support your opinion on a topic. A well-developed essay typically contains at least 300 words. |
|
Scoring: 0-200 points, divided into 9 proficiency levels. |
IV. TOEIC Writing Scoring System
The TOEIC Writing test is scored on a scale of 0 to 200 points, divided into 9 proficiency levels. Each candidate receives a detailed score report, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.
Please refer to the image below to gain a clear understanding of the TOEIC Speaking scoring criteria and point scale!
Additionally, each candidate will receive a score report detailing their performance across different sections. The TOEIC Writing exam scores are divided into various proficiency levels, known as "proficiency levels". This breakdown highlights the candidate's strengths and weaknesses in the TOEIC Writing test. You can review the detailed score table image below to gain a deeper understanding of the scoring scale and evaluation method!
V. TOEIC Writing Evaluation Criteria
The TOEIC Writing exam consists of 8 questions with a total possible score of 200 points. Each question in the Writing test has unique requirements, maximum point allocation, scoring criteria, and difficulty level. Here are the specific details:
Question |
Scoring Criteria |
Question 1-5: Write a sentence based on a picture |
Questions 1-5 require candidates to write complete sentences based on a given picture and provided words. The challenge of this section is for candidates to demonstrate a strong command of grammar, vocabulary, and sentence construction that appropriately fits the context.
|
Question 6-7: Respond to a written request |
Questions 6 and 7 require candidates to write an email in response to a request from a customer or colleague. These questions challenge test-takers to use appropriate vocabulary, email-style structure, and demonstrate variety in English sentence patterns.
|
Question 8: Write an opinion essay |
Câu 8 trong bài thi TOEIC Writing yêu cầu thí sinh viết một bài luận trình bày ý kiến cá nhân về quan điểm nào đó. Vậy nên, câu hỏi này yêu cầu thí sinh sắp xếp các ý trong đoạn văn theo tư duy logic, các ý phải có lý do và/ hoặc ví dụ, ngữ pháp và từ vựng tiếng Anh được sử dụng đa dạng.
|
VI. Top Effective TOEIC Writing Study Materials
What study materials can help you effectively prepare for the TOEIC Writing exam? Here are some recommended books that will help you practice at home and achieve your target score in the actual test!
1. New TOEIC Writing Coach
New TOEIC Writing Coach New TOEIC Writing Coach is one of the most reputable and high-quality TOEIC Writing preparation materials, published by Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House. The book was compiled by Jay Koo, who has over 18 years of experience in writing and publishing English language materials.
This book focuses primarily on Writing skills and provides essential information about the exam, including: test structure, time management, scoring criteria, and writing guidelines.
2. Skills for the TOEIC Test Speaking and Writing
Skills for the TOEIC Test Speaking and Writing The Skills for the TOEIC Test is considered an in-depth and authoritative guide for learners to support their success in the TOEIC exam. This book provides comprehensive information about the Collins Skills for the TOEIC Test - Writing and Speaking, with key content and thorough analysis of strengths and weaknesses to help readers develop the most effective study strategies.
3. Tactics for TOEIC Speaking and Writing Tests
Tactics for TOEIC Speaking and Writing Tests The Tactics for TOEIC Speaking and Writing Tests includes all the latest TOEIC Speaking and Writing exams, with content authorized by ETS and official TOEIC tests. Key advantages include:
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TOEIC practice tests with answers for each level
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Two accompanying audio CDs
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A series of training tips, language-building activities, and enhancement strategies to help you succeed in every TOEIC exam
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Mini-tests evaluated alongside vocabulary in each unit
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Lists of new words and vocabulary guessing puzzles to help you memorize vocabulary easily
VII. Sample TOEIC Writing Exam Collection
Below is a sample TOEIC Writing exam. You can use this as a reference to better understand the types of tasks used to test candidates' writing skills in this exam.
Question |
Sample |
Questions 1–5: Write a sentence based on a picture |
Directions: In this part of the test, you will write ONE sentence that is based on a picture. With each picture, you will be given TWO words or phrases that you must use in your sentence. You can change the forms of the words and you can use the words in any order. Your sentence will be scored on
In this part, you can move to the next question by clicking on Next. If you want to return to a previous question, click on Back. You will have eight minutes to complete this part of the test.
|
Questions 6–7: Respond to a written request |
Directions: In this part of the test, you will show how well you can write a response to an email. Your response will be scored on
You will have 10 minutes to read and answer each email.
|
Question 8: Write an opinion essay |
Directions: In this part of the test, you will write an essay in response to a question that asks you to state, explain, and support your opinion on an issue. Typically, an effective essay will contain a minimum of 300 words. Your response will be scored on
You will have 30 minutes to plan, write, and revise your essay.
|
VIII. Strategies for Achieving a High Score in TOEIC Writing
What are the effective strategies for TOEIC Writing exam preparation? Here are some tips recommended by PREP:
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Understand the Exam Format and Requirements: Before starting your practice, ensure you thoroughly understand the general information about the TOEIC Writing exam: question types, time limits, etc. Knowing the minimum word count, sentence structure, and question types is crucial for maximizing your score.
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Daily Writing Practice: Dedicate at least 15-30 minutes every day to TOEIC Writing practice. This helps improve your writing skills, familiarizes you with English writing, and helps you control your writing time.
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Build Vocabulary and Grammar: Expanding your vocabulary and understanding grammatical structures will help you write more accurately and confidently. Beyond developing clear, logical ideas, utilizing C1 and C2 advanced vocabulary along with sophisticated grammatical structures will quickly help you increase your band score.
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Proofread Spelling and Grammar: Spelling errors are significant in TOEIC Speaking and Writing preparation, so practice extensively to avoid them. When studying at home or before submitting your test, take time to check spelling and grammatical errors. Small mistakes can impact your score, so keep this in mind!
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Find a Study Partner or Mentor: If possible, seek out a teacher or someone experienced in TOEIC Writing preparation. They can help you identify specific weaknesses and provide improvement strategies, helping you quickly raise your band score.
IX. Where to Prepare for TOEIC Writing?
PREP has launched a TOEIC Speaking and Writing preparation course. This course offers:
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A detailed online daily learning path for TOEIC Speaking and Writing, helping you control the knowledge you need to learn each day.
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Condensed knowledge divided into interactive video lectures, each about 15-20 minutes long.
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Practice exercises designed by a 990 TOEIC teaching team, starting from the beginner level.
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The market's only virtual test preparation room integrating exclusive AI technology, accurately simulating the real exam environment with standard-format TOEIC test banks.
Below is the 3-stage TOEIC Speaking and Writing learning path: Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced, integrating test practice with AI technology.
Don't hesitate any longer – register for PREP's TOEIC Speaking and Writing course today to confidently speak and write English in international work environments!
This overview covers the Writing skills in the TOEIC Speaking and Writing exam. We wish you effective study and success in achieving your target TOEIC score in the upcoming practical test!

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