Here's an essay I wrote for the fourth task (gap year). It was just 107 words (7 minutes), and got 4.0, so I'm pretty sure e-rater is valuing word count.
NYU Class of 2025 LINEグループのお知らせ
5 months ago
The global average TOEFL speaking score is 19. The Japan average score is 15. For our students who take 4+ months of classes, the average top TOEFL speaking score is 23. Why? Because they don't use templates! If you have a clear voice and practice regularly, you should get 23 consistently too.