SAT Essay
SAT Essay Scores
These are some of the standards that SAT essay scorers
use in rating essays:
6 - Outstanding. Shows firm command of English writing
skills. May show minor errors in grammar, spelling, or
usage, but is free of most errors. Expresses a clear point
of view and uses appropriate examples and evidence to
support it. Essay is well-organized, allowing the reader to
easily follow the writer's reasoning. Vocabulary is varied,
with words used correctly and appropriately.
5 - Effective. Similar to an Outstanding essay, but shows
more, and more consistent, weaknesses in writing and
reasoning skills.
4 - Competent. Expresses a point of view and makes
adequate use of examples to support it, but shows lapses in
writing and reasoning skills. Not as well organized or as
effectively argued as an Effective essay.
3 - Inadequate. The writer shows developing but
incomplete mastery of English writing skills. Uses
inadequate or inconsistent reasons to support their point of
view. Their reasoning may be hard to follow. May show
weaknesses in vocabulary, or use words inappropriately.
Regular errors in grammar, structure, and usage.
2. Seriously Limited. The writer shows limited mastery of
English writing skills. They express a vague point of view
and use inappropriate or inadequate reasons to support it.
Little variety in vocabulary and sentence structure. Words
used incorrectly. Errors in grammar, usage, and structure
make it difficult to understand the writer's meaning.
1. Fundamentally Lacking. Writer shows little or no
mastery of English writing skills. Fails to express a viable
point of view. Provides little or no reasoning. Shows
fundamental and persistent problems with vocabulary,
grammar, and structure. Errors make it difficult to
understand writer's intended meaning.
0 - Blank paper (no essay submitted) or off-topic essay.
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