ScoreFluentMET Writing, two tasks, 45 minutes.
Three short responses, then a multi-paragraph essay, all in 45 minutes. Certified raters score it on five criteria, each rated 0–4, including Mechanics as its own criterion, so proofreading earns marks.
Two parts, one 45-minute clock.
| Part | What you write | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Short responses to three questions | Personal, everyday topics; sentence or short-paragraph answers |
| Part 2 | An essay supporting your ideas with multiple paragraphs | No word limit is set, but stronger essays typically run to at least 250 words |
Michigan sets no word limit for either part. It does not publish how to divide the 45 minutes between them, so the split is yours to manage; in the official sample test’s delivery script Writing is not forward-only, so you can move back and revise. Tasks are chosen so that no specialised knowledge is needed, and one of Michigan’s own examples is writing about the advantages and disadvantages of exercising regularly.
Five criteria, each rated 0–4.
| Criterion | What it looks at |
|---|---|
| Grammatical Accuracy | Control of sentence structures and grammar, and how much errors get in the way |
| Vocabulary | Range and appropriateness of the words you choose |
| Mechanics | Spelling, punctuation, capitalisation and sentence boundaries |
| Cohesion and Organization | How clearly ideas connect and how the response is organised |
| Task Completion | Whether the response does what the task asks, with supporting detail |
The criteria names are Michigan’s; the one-line glosses are our paraphrase. The full descriptors for each level, with sample responses, are in the Writing Resource Pack linked below. Raters are trained and certified, and the result is a 0–80 section score with a CEFR level.
A plan for each part.
The task facts are Michigan’s; the technique below is ours.
Part 1 — three separate answers, each complete
Treat each of the three questions as its own small task. Answer the question directly in the first sentence, add a reason or detail, and move on. An unanswered or one-line response is the most expensive mistake in this part.
Part 2 — plan for two minutes, then write
A short plan (your position, two or three reasons, an example for each) keeps the essay organised, which is what Cohesion and Organization rewards. Write in clear paragraphs: introduction, body, conclusion.
Budget the clock
Michigan gives no per-part timing, so decide your own before you start, for example a modest share for Part 1 and the larger share for the essay, plus a few minutes at the end. That is our advice, not an exam rule.
Proofread for Mechanics
Mechanics is rated separately from grammar, so spelling, punctuation and sentence boundaries have their own marks. Keep the last minutes for a read-through of both parts.
Straight from the test maker.
ScoreFluent is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Michigan Language Assessment. The format facts here come from Michigan’s published documents:
- MET Writing Resource Pack (PDF) — the two tasks, the five rating criteria, and sample prompts and responses.
- MET Test Taker Handbook, July 2025 (PDF) — section length and task descriptions.
Exam details change — the test maker revises its documents during the year. If a decision hangs on a detail here, check it against the official pages above first; they outrank this page.
Keep going: the full format guide, how scoring works, Reading, Listening, Speaking, the practice-test guide.
Writing questions, answered.
How long is MET Writing and how many tasks does it have?
MET Writing takes 45 minutes and has two parts: Part 1 is short responses to three questions, and Part 2 is an essay supporting your ideas with multiple paragraphs.
How many words should the MET essay be?
Michigan sets no word limit, but its curriculum guide notes that higher-level essay responses typically have at least 250 words. Treat that as a guide to the length of a developed essay rather than a requirement.
How is MET Writing scored?
By trained, certified raters on five criteria, each rated 0–4: Grammatical Accuracy, Vocabulary, Mechanics, Cohesion and Organization, and Task Completion. The result is reported as a 0–80 section score with a CEFR level.
How should I split the 45 minutes?
Michigan does not publish a per-part split, so it is your decision. A sensible approach is to answer the three short responses efficiently and give the essay the larger share, keeping a few minutes at the end to proofread. That is advice, not an exam rule.
Can I retake just the Writing section?
Yes. Writing is one of the three sections covered by the single section retake, together with Listening and Reading. Request it within three days of your results and complete it within 28 days of the original test. Writing can also be rescored once by a different set of raters.
Is spelling marked separately in MET Writing?
Yes. Mechanics is one of the five rating criteria, separate from Grammatical Accuracy, so spelling, punctuation, capitalisation and sentence boundaries earn their own marks.
Does ScoreFluent offer MET Writing practice?
MET practice is live on ScoreFluent, free to start. Results are practice estimates, not official MET scores. Both tasks are available, short responses and essay, scored against Michigan’s published five-criterion scale. ScoreFluent has a full MET mock plus Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking section mocks; Michigan’s free official samples provide another full-length timed run.
Start practising MET today.
MET practice is live on ScoreFluent — short responses and essays scored against the published criteria, free to start.
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