Focus on Assessment
How is the Test of Writing marked?
Examiners give an impression mark to each piece of writing. Part 1 carries 40% of the total marks available and Part 2 carries 60% of the total marks available.
The general impression mark scheme which is used summarises the content, organisation and cohesion, range of structures and vocabulary, register and format, and target reader indicated in the task. It is used together with a task-specific mark scheme, which focuses on criteria specific to each task.
The examiners’ first priority is to give credit for communication, but candidates are penalised for content irrelevant to the task.
The ICFE General Mark Scheme is interpreted at Council of Europe Levels B2 and C1 and consists of Bands 0 – 6. Band 5 and 6 represent adequate and good performance at C1. Bands 3 and 4 represent adequate and good performance at B2. Band 2 and below represent an inadequate performance on the ICFE Writing paper.
How are the examiners organised?
A panel of expert examiners is divided into small teams, each with a very experienced examiner as Team Leader. A Principal Examiner guides and monitors the marking process, beginning with a meeting of the Principal Examiner and the Team Leaders. This is held immediately after the examination and begins the process of establishing a common standard of assessment by the selection of sample scripts for both questions in the Test of Writing. These are chosen to demonstrate the range of responses and different levels of competence. A task-specific mark scheme is finalised for each task on the paper.
Examiners discuss these task-specific mark schemes and general mark schemes and refer to them regularly while they are marking. A rigorous process of co-ordination and checking is carried out before and throughout the marking process.