TOEFL iBT (Write an Email)2026

You will read an email and write a response. Read the email from Professor Kim. Professor Kim has graded the essay you submitted last week and posted feedback on the course portal. However, you realise that you uploaded an early draft by mistake, not your final version. Write a reply that (1) explains what happened, (2) asks the professor to accept your final version, and (3) proposes a fair way to handle the grade. You have 7 minutes.

- Time pressure: 7 minutes total. Aim for roughly 100–120 words. Concise and respectful beats long. - Address every requirement in the prompt — missing one is a major deduction. - Tone should be polite and accountable. Do not make excuses or blame the portal. - The Power column upgrades word choice without changing meaning or grammar structure.

Email to professor about wrong essay draft submitted

The boring draft

Score: 3 / 5

Dear Professor Kim,

Thank you for the fast feedback on my essay. After looking the version on the portal, I realised with horror that I uploaded the wrong file — an early draft from two weeks ago rather than the final version I worked on over the weekend. I take full blame for the error; I should have checked the filename before submitting.

Would you be open to look at the final draft if I send it directly to your university email today? I understand that the original grade must count in some form, so I would be happy to accept the average of the two scores, or whatever fair arrangement you prefer.

Apologies for the inconvenience this has caused — I appreciate the time you have already spent grading my work and I want to make sure my final mark reflects what I actually wrote.

Sincerely,

Bella

The power upgrade

Score: 5 / 5

Dear Professor Kim,

Thank you for the prompt feedback on my essay. After reviewing the version on the portal, I realised with dismay that I uploaded the wrong file — an early draft from two weeks ago rather than the final version I worked on over the weekend. I take full responsibility for the error; I should have verified the filename before submitting.

Would you be willing to review the final draft if I send it directly to your university email today? I understand that the original grade must stand in some form, so I would be happy to accept the average of the two scores, or whatever equitable arrangement you prefer.

Apologies for the inconvenience this has caused — I appreciate the time you have already spent grading my work and I want to make sure my final mark reflects what I actually wrote.

Sincerely,

Bella