ICFE General Mark Scheme

Bands 5 and 6 represent adequate and good performance at C1 while bands 3 and 4 represent adequate and good performance at B2. Band 2 and below represent an inadequate performance on the ICFE Test of Writing.

6 The task set is fully realised and the ideas are relevant and well developed. Ideas are logically organised and a wide range of vocabulary and complex structures is used effectively. Register is consistently appropriate. There would be a very positive effect on the target reader.
5 There is good realisation of the task set and the main ideas are relevant and developed. Ideas are logically organised and a good range of vocabulary and structures is used accurately. Register is, on the whole, appropriate. There would be a positive effect on target reader.
4 There is reasonable realisation of the task set and the main ideas are relevant with some development. Ideas are generally logically organised and a reasonable range of vocabulary is used. There may, however, be some non-impeding errors in spelling and/or word formation. Register is reasonably appropriate. Simple and complex structures are used but flexibility may be limited. It would achieve the desired effect on target reader.
3 There is an adequate realisation of the task set and the main ideas are relevant but some may lack clarity. Ideas are generally logically organised and an adequate range of vocabulary is used but word choice may lack precision in places. There is an adequate range of structures used although errors in grammar occur and may cause difficulty for the reader. Register may be inconsistent / inappropriate. It would, on the whole, achieve the desired effect on the target reader.
2 The task is not adequately addressed and, while there is evidence of organisation, it is not wholly logical. The range of vocabulary is limited but minimally adequate for task. The range of structures is limited and at times repetitive. Register is often inconsistent / inappropriate. There would be a negative effect on the target reader.
1 The attempt at the task is poor and ideas are not organised coherently. The range of vocabulary is inadequate for or unrelated to the task and the range of structures is very limited. Register is inappropriate for task. There would be a very negative effect on the target reader.
0 The attempt achieves nothing and there is too little language for assessment or it is totally irrelevant or totally illegible.