Low TOEFL writing score?

Question

Hi every one!

I recently took the TOEFL and my score is 109. I did well on Reading, Listening and Speaking (30, 30 and 28) but my writing score is pretty low (only 21...). Even though many schools only have an overall score requirement, I'm wondering if I should retake the test and try to get a better writing score. I'm afraid that my 21 in writing will hurt my application... Any advices are welcome!

Thanks.

bb · Answer

You should be OK for most schools. Only a few require a minimum score in each section or a minimum for writing.

See here for details/exceptions: toefl-score-requirements-for-most-popular-schools-80110.html

bseb · Answer

Thanks for your reply! I think that I'm going to take it again because I really believe that I could get a better score in the writing section. I didn't study much for the test and I didn't practice the writing section at all. The only thing that was holding me back was the $170 fee but compared to the expense of applying to business school in the end it's not that much. Btw, I see that you're the founder of the website. This is a really good resource with tons of useful information!! Thanks!

bb · Answer

Thanks!
Yes, handling the writing section should be a pretty straightforward task, just give it a bit practice - most of it is template driven.

saruba · Answer

I got a 28 in writing just working a couple of days with the templates, pretty straightforward. Good luck.

bseb · Answer

UPDATE:
I took the TOEFL a second time a couple of weeks ago, and I got 118! Reading: 30, Listening: 30, Speaking: 30, Writing: 28. Of course, I'm very happy with this score and I'm glad this is out of the way. In the end, I didn't practice the writing section a lot more than the first time. I just tried to memorize the essay structure given as an example in the official ETS preparation book. One more thing: don't be afraid to retake the TOEFL if you think you can do better, unlike the GMAT it is possible to choose which score you want to send to the business schools you're applying to.

Good luck to all of you!

Now the real fun begins, it's time to start studying for the GMAT...

bb · Answer

Congratulations!!! Very impressive. Great improvement and a good morale booster for the gmat

You will need it!

oldguru82 · Answer

congratulations!!

Are you English native or have you lived in a English spoken country?
your score is awesome.

I'm going to retake the exam in 3 weeks, hoping to improve my last exam (102, in March).

bseb · Answer

Hi rid82,
Sorry, I just saw your post. For some reason I wasn't notified that someone replied on this thread. I'm not a native speaker but I've been living and working in California for a little over 3 years now (first job after college in France). If I'm right you must have already retaken the TOEFL. Let me know how it went!

oldguru82 · Answer

pas de probleme

were you VIE?

bseb · Answer

No, it was just an internship at first but then I got hired. Soon after I met my wife and that's why I'm still here! I really would like to go back to Europe but it's kinda complicated

I'm thinking of applying to HEC and LBS but I'm not sure if I really stand a chance.

Pavle · Answer

First of all congratulation on your great score!!

And can you tell me which materials did you use during preparation and how long had you been preparing before taking the actual exam

Thanks and congratulations again!!

bseb · Answer

Thanks. I used the Kaplan, Princeton review and ETS books. I started studying 2 months before I took the test the first time (maybe 4-5 hours a week). When I signed up for the second time I had in mind to study seriously for a month and a half but due to lack of motivation and a busy schedule (vacation in France and Paris

) that didn't happen. I knew that my weaknesses were speaking and writing so I tried to focus on that the week before the test. Other than that the Kaplan practice test reading comp section is harder than the real thing I think. For the writing section I would recommend to really memorize the essay structure used in the ETS book (especially for the 1st essay), it helped me a lot. The Princeton review book is okay to get a feel of what the test is like but I think that I could have done well without it. Hope this helps and good luck!

Pavle · Answer

bseb

Thanks a lot!! You've been very helpful!

resh · Answer

I was under the impression that like GRE scores, ETS sends all the scores to the schools we apply. Thanks for the info.

resh · Answer

Congrats on getting 118. Awesome score.

bseb · Answer

Thanks!

Dawgie · Answer

Great score! This is just one piece of the application you will be fine.

shaselai · Answer

nice! gmat is a totally different beast and hope you beat it too!

Toefl110 · Answer

Hello all, I have just started with my toefl prep

.I have not given gmat but i have given my GRE and i m giving my toefl on june 25th.Pls do give me some start up tips.Mainly regarding the materials to be followed for my prep.If any of u have an idea about the RC complexity(GRE vs Toefl),pls do tell me.Im not sure if this is the right blog for this question,but if anyone of u have an idea,pls do post

Low TOEFL writing score?

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