VNDocs practice guide
TOEIC Writing scores: 28 raw points versus the 0–200 scale
By VNDocs · Updated
The numbers 15, 4, 4 and 5 in the TOEIC Writing room are the maximum raw ratings for each task group. They add up to 28, not 200. Understanding the distinction helps you interpret practice feedback without mistaking it for an official score report.
How are the eight questions rated?
Questions 1–5 are each rated from 0 to 3, giving a maximum of 15 for picture sentences. Questions 6 and 7 are each rated from 0 to 4, giving a maximum of 8 for the two emails. Question 8, the opinion essay, is rated from 0 to 5. The total maximum is therefore 15 + 4 + 4 + 5 = 28 raw points.
ETS describes these rating scales in its handbook. Different task groups have different requirements, so you should not divide 200 equally across eight questions or treat each feedback criterion as a separate examination question.
Why not multiply the raw total by 200/28?
ETS converts the sum of ratings to a scaled score from 0 to 200. This does not establish a linear formula for predicting a score report. A practice result of 21/28, for example, does not guarantee an official score of 150/200.
VNDocs shows the raw total for a completed set. AI scores are learning estimates: prompts, difficulty and model judgements can differ from the real test. Do not use a practice result as certification or a guaranteed outcome.
Picture sentences: match the image and the required words
Identify the subject, action and position that you can actually see. Follow the instructions for the supplied words and check both sentence structure and relevance. A long sentence that misrepresents the image is less useful than a clear, accurate one.
For an original practice example, imagine a woman placing a book on a shelf and the words woman / shelf. The sentence below would fit that imagined image; it does not replace checking the photograph in your actual task.
A woman is placing a book on the shelf.Emails: cover every requested point
Check your role, the recipient, the purpose and every instruction. If the prompt requests two pieces of information and one question, mark all three in your draft. Use an appropriate tone rather than a memorised letter that misses the task.
Reread the reply as the recipient. Can they act on the information? Are dates, requests and questions clear? Add illustrative details only when they remain consistent with the situation.
Opinion essays and final checks
State your view, explain your reasons and include relevant examples. In the ETS sample test, an effective essay typically contains a minimum of 300 words. Length alone does not determine the score, and repetition cannot replace development.
For a full practice set, complete all five picture tasks, both emails and the essay. For individual practice, read the result against that task group’s maximum. Review repeated errors and rewrite a sentence or paragraph before changing the question.
- Picture tasks: use the supplied words and match the photograph.
- Emails: address all instructions in a suitable tone.
- Essay: make a clear claim with explained reasons and examples.
- Do not convert the raw total into an official ETS result yourself.