Academic Discussion — scored sample answer
Taking a Gap Year Before College
3.5/5 on the ETS 0-5 rater rubric
The response effectively argues for the benefits of taking a gap year, highlighting maturity and preventing burnout. However, it could benefit from more specific examples and a deeper engagement with classmates' ideas.
Reach120 practice band estimate — not an official ETS score How we estimate
21 / 30
legacy comparison · pre-2026 scale
Content
4/5Breakdown
Working well
- Relevant explanations and examples — “supported by relevant explanations and examples, such as gaining valuable life experience and preventing academic burnout”
To improve
- Lack of specific examples Try: Include specific examples, such as a personal anecdote or a well-known figure who benefited from a gap year, to make the argument more compelling.
Answer this prompt yourself
Write your own answer to this question and get the same TOEFL 2026 feedback — from $7.49 every one week, cancel any time.
Level Up Your Academic Writing
Your path to improvement
Want to excel in academic discussions? Our expert guides cover everything from building strong arguments to engaging effectively with other perspectives.
Academic Discussion Guide
Strategies to excel in the academic discussion task
TOEFL Writing Templates
Effective templates and phrases for TOEFL writing
Common Grammar Mistakes
Top grammar errors that hurt your TOEFL score