Scoring the SAT – Part Two

The Essay portion of the SAT is scored on a six point scale. Markers undergo rigorous training in order to ensure consistency. The language of the Scoring Guide provides a consistent and coherent framework for differentiating between score points, without defining specific traits or types of essays that define each score point. The following is a description of each score point of the scale from College Board:

Score of 6

• Effectively and insightfully develops a point of view on the issue and demonstrates outstanding critical thinking, using clearly appropriate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position

• Is well organized and clearly focused, demonstrating clear coherence and smooth progression of ideas

• Exhibits skilful use of language, using a varied, accurate, and apt vocabulary

• Demonstrates meaningful variety in sentence structure

• Is free of most errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics

Score of 5

• Effectively develops a point of view on the issue and demonstrates strong critical thinking, generally using appropriate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position

• Is well organized and focused, demonstrating coherence and progression of ideas

• Exhibits facility in the use of language, using appropriate vocabulary

• Demonstrates variety in sentence structure

• Is generally free of most errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics

Score of 4

• Develops a point of view on the issue and demonstrates competent critical thinking, using adequate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position

• Is generally organized and focused, demonstrating some coherence and progression of ideas

• Exhibits adequate but inconsistent facility in the use of language, using generally appropriate vocabulary

• Demonstrates some variety in sentence structure

• Has some errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics

Score of 3

• Develops a point of view on the issue, demonstrating some critical thinking, but may do so inconsistently or use inadequate examples, reasons, or other evidence to support its position

• Is limited in its organization or focus, but may demonstrate some lapses in coherence or progression of ideas

• Displays developing facility in the use of language, but sometimes uses weak vocabulary or inappropriate word choice

• Lacks variety or demonstrates problems in sentence structure

• Contains an accumulation of errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics

Score of 2

• Develops a point of view on the issue that is vague or seriously limited, demonstrating weak critical thinking, providing inappropriate or insufficient examples, reasons, or other evidence to support its position

• Is poorly organized and/or focused, or demonstrates serious problems with coherence or progression of ideas

• Displays very little facility in the use of language, using very limited vocabulary or incorrect word choice

• Demonstrates frequent problems in sentence structure

• Contains errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics so serious that meaning is somewhat obscured

Score of 1

• Develops no viable point of view on the issue, or provides little or no evidence to support its position

• Is disorganized or unfocused, resulting in a disjointed or incoherent essay

• Displays fundamental errors in vocabulary

• Demonstrates severe flaws in sentence structure

• Contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that persistently interfere with meaning

Score of 0

Essays not written on the essay assignment will receive a score of 0.