1. ECPE writing TEST RUBRIC, REVISED for 2009
A revised rating scale for the ECPE writing test will be implemented in June 2009. The new rubric will
have five levels: A, B, C, D, and E. The descriptors for performance levels A, B, and C will not change;
only level D will be divided into a new D and an E level. The minimum passing level will continue to be
C. The writing task will not change.
Please note that the 4-level rubric (A, B, C, and D) will remain in effect for ECPE examinations
administered in 2008.
RATING RHETORIC GRAMMAR/SYNTAX VOCABULARY MECHANICS
A • Topic richly, fully, • Flexible use of • Broad range, • Spelling and
Honors complexly developed a wide range of appropriately used punctuation errors are
• Organization well- syntactic (sentence rare and insignificant
controlled, appropriate level) structures;
to the material morphological (word
forms) control nearly
• Connection is smooth always accurate
B • Topic clearly and • Both simple and • Vocabulary use shows • Spelling and
completely developed, complex syntax flexibility, is usually punctuation errors
with acknowledgment adequately used; good appropriate are infrequent and not
of its complexity morphological control • Any inappropriate distracting
• Organization is vocabulary does not
controlled and shows confuse meaning
appropriateness to the
material
• Few problems with
connection
C • Topic clearly • Both simple and • Adequate vocabulary, • Spelling and
developed, but not complex syntax but may sometimes be punctuation errors
always completely or present inappropriately used sometimes distracting
with acknowledgment • For some, syntax is
of its complexity cautious but accurate,
• Organization generally while others are more
controlled; connection fluent but less accurate
sometimes absent or • Inconsistent
unsuccessful morphological control
D • Topic development • Morphological errors • Vocabulary may • Spelling and
usually clear but are frequent be limited in range, punctuation errors are
simple and may be • Simple sentences tend and is sometimes frequently distracting
repetitive to be accurate; more inappropriately used to
• Attempts to address complex ones tend to the point that it causes
different perspectives be inaccurate confusion
on the topic are often
unsuccessful
• Overreliance on
prefabricated
language and/or
language from the
prompt
• Organization partially
controlled
E • Topic development • Pervasive and basic • Incorrect use of • Basic vocabulary
may be unclear errors in sentence vocabulary causes words regularly
and/or limited by structure and word confusion misspelled
incompleteness or order cause confusion • Even basic words may • Little or no control over
lack of focus • Problems with subject- be misused sentence boundaries
• Might not be relevant verb agreement, tense • May show interference • Spelling and
to topic formation or word from other languages punctuation errors
• Connection of ideas formation regularly cause
often absent or • Even basic sentences confusion
unsuccessful are filled with errors