SPM Writing Part 1 assessment scale

COMMUNICATIVE
SCORE CONTENT ORGANISATION LANGUAGE
ACHIEVEMENT

Uses basic vocabulary

appropriately.
Produces a text that
All content is relevant to
communicates Uses simple connectors Uses simple grammatical
the task.
straightforward ideas and a limited number of forms with a good degree
5
using the conventions of cohesive devices of control.
Target reader is fully
the communicative task appropriately.
informed.
reasonably appropriately. While errors are
noticeable, meaning can
still be determined.

4 Performance shares features of Scored 3 and 5

Uses basic vocabulary

reasonably.
Minor irrelevances
and/or omissions may be
Produces a text that Text is connected using Uses simple grammatical
present.
3 communicates simple basic, high frequency forms with some degree
ideas in simple ways. connectors. of control.
Target reader is on the
whole informed.
Errors may impede
meaning at times.

2 Performance shares features of Scored 1 and 3

Produces basic vocabulary

Irrelevances and/or
Produces isolated short Production unlikely to be of isolated words and
misinterpretation of the
units about simple and connected, though phrases.
task may be present.
1 concrete matters, not punctuation and simple
always communicating connectors (e.g. and) Produces few simple
Target reader is
successfully. may be used on occasion. grammatical forms with
minimally informed.
only limited control.

Content is totally
irrelevant.
0 Performance below Score 1
Target reader is not
informed.
SPM Writing Part 2 assessment scale
COMMUNICATIVE
SCORE CONTENT ORGANISATION LANGUAGE
ACHIEVEMENT

Uses a range of everyday

vocabulary with occasional
inappropriate use of less
Uses the conventions of
common lexis.
All content is relevant to the communicative task
Text is generally
the task. to hold the target
well-organised and Uses a range of simple and
5 reader’s attention and
coherent, using a variety some complex
Target reader is fully communicate
of cohesive devices. grammatical forms with a
informed. straightforward ideas
good degree of control.
appropriately.
Errors do not impede
communication.

4 Performance shares features of Scored 3 and 5

Uses basic vocabulary

appropriately.
Minor irrelevances Produces a text that
and/or omissions may be communicates Uses simple connectors Uses simple grammatical
present. straightforward ideas and a limited number of forms with a good degree
3
using the conventions of cohesive devices of control.
Target reader is on the the communicative task appropriately.
whole informed. reasonably appropriately. While errors are
noticeable, meaning can
still be determined.

2 Performance shares features of Scored 1 and 3

Uses basic vocabulary

reasonably.
Irrelevances and/or
misinterpretation of the
Produces a text that Text is connected using Uses simple grammatical
task may be present.
1 communicates simple basic, high frequency forms with some degree
ideas in simple ways. connectors. of control.
Target reader is
minimally informed.
Errors may impede
meaning at times.

Content is totally
irrelevant.
0 Performance below Score 1
Target reader is not
informed.
SPM Writing Part 3 assessment scale
COMMUNICATIVE
SCORE CONTENT ORGANISATION LANGUAGE
ACHIEVEMENT

Uses a range of
vocabulary, including less
Uses the conventions of
common lexis,
the communicative task
appropriately.
All content is relevant to effectively Text is generally
the task. to hold the target well-organised and
Uses a range of simple and
5 reader’s attention and coherent, using a variety
complex grammatical
Target reader is fully communicate with ease, of cohesive devices with
forms with control and
informed. fulfilling all generally good effect.
flexibility.
communicative
purposes.
Occasional errors and slips
may be present.

4 Performance shares features of Scored 3 and 5

Uses a range of everyday

vocabulary with occasional
inappropriate use of less
Minor irrelevances Uses the conventions of common lexis.
and/or omissions may be the communicative task Text is generally
present. to hold the reader’s well-organised and Uses a range of simple and
3
attention and coherent, using a variety some complex
Target reader is on the communicate of cohesive devices. grammatical forms with a
whole informed. straightforward ideas good degree of control.
appropriately.
Errors do not impede
communication.

2 Performance shares features of Scored 1 and 3

Uses basic vocabulary

appropriately.
Irrelevances and/or Produces a text that
misinterpretation of the communicates Uses simple connectors Uses simple grammatical
task may be present. straightforward ideas and a limited number of forms with a good degree
1
using the conventions of cohesive devices of control.
Target reader is the communicative task appropriately.
minimally informed. reasonably appropriately. While errors are
noticeable, meaning can
still be determined.

Content is totally
irrelevant.
0 Performance below Score 1
Target reader is not
informed.