March 2019

Question-and-
Answer Service
Student Guide
Ideas for using the QAS report

The answer key for the test you took

Instructions for scoring your test

NOT FOR REPRODUCTION OR RESALE.

 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

Answer Key – Determine Raw Scores

Reading
Reading TestTest Answers
Answers 1(a-d)

Correct Correct Correct Correct

Question # Answer Question # Answer Question # Answer Question # Answer
1 A 14 D 27 C 40 A
Reading2 Test Answers
B 1(a-d) 15 B 28 A 41 B
3 C 16 A 29 D 42 D
Correct Correct Correct Correct
4 B 17 C 30 B 43 C
Question # Answer Question # Answer Question # Answer Question # Answer
5 A 18 C 31 D 44 C
1 A 14 D 27 C 40 A
6 A 19 B 32 A 45 D
2 B 15 B 28 A 41 B
7 D 20 D 33 B 46 A
3 C 16 A 29 D 42 D
8 C 21 B 34 C 47 B
4 B 17 C 30 B 43 C
9 D 22 A 35 C 48 A
5 A 18 C 31 D 44 C
10 D 23 D 36 A 49 D
6 A 19 B 32 A 45 D
11 C 24 C 37 A 50 D
7 D 20 D 33 B 46 A
12 D 25 B 38 D 51 C
8 C 21 B 34 C 47 B
13 A 26 A 39 B 52 D
9 D 22 A 35 C 48 A
10 D 23 D 36 A 49 D
11 C 24 C 37 A 50 D
Writing 12
and LanguageD Answers 2(a-d) 25 B 38 D 51 C
13 Test Raw Score
Reading A 26 A 39 B 52 D
Correct
(Number of Correct Answers) Correct Correct Correct
Question # Answer Question # Answer Question # Answer Question # Answer
1 A 12 A 23 C 34 D
Writing and
Writing2 and Language
D AnswersTest
Language 2(a-d)Answers
13 B 24 D 35 C
3 B 14 B 25 A 36 C
Correct Correct Correct Correct
4 C 15 B 26 C 37 C
Question # Answer Question # Answer Question # Answer Question # Answer
5 D 16 D 27 D 38 D
1 A 12 A 23 C 34 D
6 C 17 A 28 B 39 A
2 D 13 B 24 D 35 C
7 C 18 B 29 B 40 D
3 B 14 B 25 A 36 C
8 A 19 D 30 A 41 D
4 C 15 B 26 C 37 C
9 B 20 A 31 B 42 B
5 D 16 D 27 D 38 D
10 C 21 C 32 D 43 A
6 C 17 A 28 B 39 A
11 D 22 B 33 A 44 B
7 C 18 B 29 B 40 D
8 A 19 D 30 A 41 D
9 B 20 A 31 B 42 B
10 C 21 C 32 D 43 A
11 D 22 B 33 A 44 B

Writing and Language Test

Raw Score “U” indicates a question that did not perform as expected and
(Number of Correct Answers) has been removed from scoring.

On test day you may have answered questions in a different

order than what you see above. Use the questions and
answers online to determine specific answers.

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

Answer Key – Determine Raw Scores (continued)

Math Test
Math Test – Calculator
– No No Calculator
AnswersAnswers
Table 3
Correct Correct Correct Correct
Question # Answer Question # Answer Question # Answer Question # Answer

1 D 5 C 9 B 13 C
2 B 6 B 10 B 14 D
3 A 7 C 11 A 15 C
Math Test
4 – No Calculator
A Answers Table
8 3 D 12 C

Question # Correct Answer

Correct Correct Correct Correct
16
Question # Answer
4.5,9/2 Question # Answer Question # Answer Question # Answer
17 11
1 D 5 C 9 B 13 C
18 1220
2 B 6 B 10 B 14 D
19 7/3,2.33
3 A 7 C 11 A 15 C
20 210
4 A 8 D 12 C

Question # Correct Answer

16 4.5,9/2
Math 17
Test – Calculator
11
Answers Table 4
18 1220
Correct Correct Correct Correct
Math Test – No Calculator
19
Question Answer
# Score 7/3,2.33 Question # Answer Question # Answer Question # Answer
Raw
20
(Number 210
1 of Correct Answers)
B 9 A 17 C 25 B
2 C 10 B 18 B 26 D
3 C 11 A 19 A 27 D
Math 4Test – Calculator Answers
Math Test – Calculator Answers Table 4
A 12 A 20 D 28 C
5 B 13 C 21 A 29 C
Correct Correct Correct Correct
6 A 14 C 22 D 30 D
Question # Answer Question # Answer Question # Answer Question # Answer
7 D 15 D 23 D
81 B
D 9
16 A
D 17
24 C
D 25 B
2 C 10 B 18 B 26 D
Question # Correct Answer
3 C 11 A 19 A 27 D
31 117
4 A 12 A 20 D 28 C
32 5
5 B 13 C 21 A 29 C
33 0
6 A 14 C 22 D 30 D
34 5
7 D 15 D 23 D
35 20
8 D 16 D 24 D
36 74
Question
37
# Correct Answer
32
31
38 117
.96,24/25
32 5
33 0
34 5
35 20
36 74
37 32
38 .96,24/25

Math Test – Calculator

Raw Score “U” indicates a question that did not perform as expected and
(Number of Correct Answers) has been removed from scoring.

On test day you may have answered questions in a different

order than what you see above. Use the questions and
answers online to determine specific answers.

K-5OSA06 5
 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

GET CROSS-TEST SCORES

The SAT also reports two cross-test scores: Analysis in History/Social
Studies and Analysis in Science. These scores are based on questions in
the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Tests that ask you to think
analytically about texts and questions in these subject areas.
Cross-test scores are reported on a scale of 10–40.

Calculating Your Cross-Test Scores

You can use the cross-test score tables beginning on the next page to
calculate your cross-test scores as follows:
1. Find the questions in each section that count toward each cross-test score.
These are shown with a “Y” next to the question number in the tables.
Refer to your QAS report to see which of those questions you answered
correctly on the test, and then check the box for each correct answer.
2. Count the number of correct answers for each cross-test area and record
that as your raw score for that area.
3. Use the conversion table on page 12 to determine your scaled score (10–40)
for each area.

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

Cross-Test Scores Tables – Determine Cross-Test Raw Scores

Y = Counts toward Cross-Test score. On your QAS report, look up every question marked “Y” below to see if you answered it correctly.
If so, check off the box for that question below.
Table 5a and 5b
Analysis in History/Social Studies (HSS) Analysis in Science (SCI)

Writing and Math Test - Math Test - Writing and Math Test - Math Test -
Reading Language Calculator No Calculator Reading Language Calculator No Calculator
1 1 1 1 1 1 Y 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2 Y 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
5 5 5 5 5 5 Y 5 5
6 6 6 6 6 6 Y 6 6
7 7 7 Y 7 7 7 7 7 Y
8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
9 9 9 Y 9 9 9 9 9
10 10 10 10 10 10 Y 10 10
11 Y 11 11 11 11 11 Y 11 11 Y
12 Y 12 12 12 12 12 12 Y 12
13 Y 13 13 Y 13 13 13 13 13
14 Y 14 14 Y 14 14 14 14 14
15 Y 15 15 15 15 15 15 Y 15
16 Y 16 16 16 16 16 16 Y 16
17 Y 17 17 17 17 17 17 Y 17
18 Y 18 18 Y 18 18 18 18 18
19 Y 19 19 Y 19 19 19 19 19
20 Y 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
21 Y 21 21 21 21 21
22 22 22 22 Y 22 22
23 23 Y 23 23 Y 23 23
24 24 24 24 Y 24 24
25 25 25 Y 25 Y 25 25
26 26 Y 26 26 Y 26 26
27 27 27 27 Y 27 27
28 28 28 Y 28 Y 28 28
29 29 Y 29 29 Y 29 29
30 30 Y 30 30 Y 30 30
31 31 Y 31 31 Y 31 31
32 Y 32 32 32 32 32 Y
33 Y 33 Y 33 33 33 33
34 Y 34 34 34 34 34 Y
35 Y 35 35 35 35 35
36 Y 36 36 36 36 36
37 Y 37 37 37 37 37
38 Y 38 38 38 38 38
39 Y 39 39 39
40 Y 40 40 40
41 Y 41 41 41
42 42 42 Y 42
43 43 43 Y 43
44 44 44 Y 44
45 45 Y
46 46 Y
47 47 Y
48 48 Y
49 49 Y
50 50 Y
51 51 Y
52 52 Y

HSS Raw Score SCI Raw Score

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

GET SUBSCORES
Subscores provide more detailed information about your strengths in
specific areas within literacy and math.
Subscores are reported on a scale of 1–15.
▶▶ The Command of Evidence subscore is based on questions from both the
Reading Test and the Writing and Language Test that ask you to interpret
and use evidence found in a wide range of passages and informational
graphics, such as graphs, tables, and charts.
▶▶ The Expression of Ideas subscore is based on questions from the Writing
and Language Test that focus on topic development, organization, and
rhetorically effective use of language.
▶▶ The Words in Context subscore is based on questions from both the
Reading Test and the Writing and Language Test that address the
meaning in context of words/phrases and rhetorical word choice.
▶▶ The Standard English Conventions subscore is based on questions from
the Writing and Language Test that focus on sentence structure, usage,
and punctuation.
▶▶ The Heart of Algebra subscore is based on questions from the Math Test
that focus on linear equations and inequalities.
▶▶ The Problem Solving and Data Analysis subscore is based on questions
from the Math Test that focus on quantitative reasoning, the interpretation
and synthesis of data, and solving problems in rich and varied contexts.
▶▶ The Passport to Advanced Math subscore is based on questions from the
Math Test that focus on topics central to the ability of students to progress
to more advanced mathematics, such as understanding the structure of
expressions, reasoning with more complex equations, and interpreting and
building functions.

Calculating Your Subscores

You can use the subscore tables beginning on the next page to calculate
your subscores as follows:
1. Find the questions that count toward each subscore. These are shown with
a “Y” next to the question number in the tables. Refer to your QAS report to
see which of those questions you answered correctly on the test, and then
check the box for each correct answer.
2. Count the number of correct answers for each area and record that as your
raw score for that area.
3. Finally, use the conversion table on page 13 to determine your scaled score
(1–15) for each area.

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

Subscores Tables – Determine Subscore Raw Scores

Y = Counts toward subscore. On your QAS report, look up every question marked “Y” to see if you answered it correctly.
If so, check off the box for that question.
Table 6 (a-d)
Command of Evidence Expression of Ideas Words in Context Standard English Conventions
(COE) (EOI) (WIC) (SEC)
Writing and Writing and Writing and Writing and
Reading Language Reading Language Reading Language Reading Language
1 1 1 1 Y 1 Y 1 Y 1 1
2 2 Y 2 2 Y 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 Y 3 3 3 Y
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Y
5 5 Y 5 5 Y 5 5 5 5
6 6 6 6 Y 6 6 6 6
7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 Y
8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 Y
9 Y 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 Y
10 10 10 10 Y 10 10 Y 10 10
11 11 11 11 Y 11 11 11 11
12 12 12 12 12 Y 12 12 12 Y
13 13 Y 13 13 Y 13 Y 13 13 13
14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 Y
15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 Y
16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 Y
17 Y 17 17 17 Y 17 17 17 17
18 18 18 18 Y 18 18 Y 18 18
19 Y 19 Y 19 19 Y 19 19 19 19
20 Y 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 Y
21 21 21 21 Y 21 21 Y 21 21
22 22 22 22 Y 22 22 22 22
23 23 Y 23 23 Y 23 23 23 23
24 Y 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 Y
25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 Y
26 26 26 26 Y 26 26 26 26
27 27 27 27 27 Y 27 27 27 Y
28 28 28 28 28 Y 28 28 28 Y
29 29 Y 29 29 Y 29 29 29 29
30 30 30 30 Y 30 30 Y 30 30
31 Y 31 31 31 Y 31 31 31 31
32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 Y
33 33 33 33 Y 33 Y 33 Y 33 33
34 34 34 34 Y 34 Y 34 34 34
35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 Y
36 Y 36 36 36 Y 36 36 Y 36 36
37 37 Y 37 37 Y 37 37 37 37
38 Y 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 Y
39 39 39 39 39 39 39 39 Y
40 40 Y 40 40 Y 40 40 40 40
41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 Y
42 42 42 42 Y 42 42 42 42
43 43 43 43 Y 43 43 Y 43 43
44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 Y
45 45 45 45
46 46 46 Y 46
47 47 47 Y 47
48 48 48 48
49 Y 49 49 49
50 50 50 50
51 51 51 51
52 Y 52 52 52

COE Raw Score EOI Raw Score WIC Raw Score SEC Raw Score

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

Subscores Tables – Determine Subscore Raw Scores (continued)

Y = Counts toward Subscore. On your QAS report, look up every question marked “Y” to see if you answered it correctly.
If so, check off the box for that question.
Table 6(e-g)
Heart of Algebra Problem Solving and Passport to Advanced
(HOA) Data Analysis (PSD) Math (PAM)
Math Test – Math Test – Math Test – Math Test – Math Test – Math Test –
Calculator No Calculator Calculator No Calculator Calculator No Calculator
1 1 Y 1 Y 1 1 1
2 2 Y 2 2 2 2
3 Y 3 Y 3 3 3 3
4 4 Y 4 Y 4 4 4
5 Y 5 5 5 5 5 Y
6 6 6 Y 6 6 6
7 7 7 7 7 Y 7 Y
8 Y 8 8 8 8 8 Y
9 9 9 Y 9 9 9 Y
10 10 10 10 10 Y 10
11 Y 11 11 11 11 11 Y
12 Y 12 Y 12 12 12 12
13 13 13 Y 13 13 13
14 14 14 Y 14 14 14 Y
15 15 Y 15 Y 15 15 15
16 16 Y 16 Y 16 16 16
17 17 17 Y 17 17 17 Y
18 18 Y 18 Y 18 18 18
19 19 19 Y 19 19 19 Y
20 20 20 Y 20 20 20 Y
21 21 21 Y
22 22 Y 22
23 23 23
24 Y 24 24
25 25 25
26 26 Y 26
27 Y 27 27
28 28 28 Y
29 29 29 Y
30 Y 30 30
31 31 31 Y
32 32 Y 32
33 33 Y 33
34 34 34 Y
35 Y 35 35
36 Y 36 36
37 Y 37 37
38 38 Y 38

HOA Raw Score PSD Raw Score PAM Raw Score

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

CONVERSION TABLES

Raw Score Conversion – Section and Test Scores

Table 7 (a-b)
Section and Test Scores
RAW SCORE CONVERSION TABLE 1
Raw Score Math Writing and Raw Score Math Writing and
(# of correct Section Reading Language (# of correct Section Reading Language
answers) Score Test Score Test Score answers) Score Test Score Test Score
0 200 10 10 30 530 27 28
1 200 10 10 31 540 27 29
2 220 10 10 32 540 28 29
3 230 11 11 33 550 28 30
4 240 12 12 34 560 29 31
5 260 13 12 35 570 29 32
6 270 13 13 36 570 30 32
7 290 14 14 37 580 30 33
8 300 15 15 38 590 31 34
9 310 16 16 39 600 31 35
10 320 16 16 40 600 32 35
11 340 17 17 41 610 32 37
12 350 18 18 42 620 33 38
13 360 18 18 43 630 33 39
14 370 18 19 44 640 34 40
15 380 19 19 45 650 35
16 400 19 20 46 660 35
17 410 20 21 47 670 36
18 420 20 21 48 670 37
19 430 21 22 49 680 38
20 440 21 22 50 690 39
21 450 22 23 51 700 39
22 460 23 23 52 720 40
23 470 23 24 53 730
24 480 24 24 54 740
25 490 24 25 55 760
26 500 25 26 56 770
27 510 25 26 57 790
28 520 26 27 58 800
29 520 26 28

Section and Test Scores

CONVERSION EQUATION 1

CONVERT

READING TEST READING TEST
RAW SCORE SCORE
(0-52) (10-40)

CONVERT
+ = × 10 =

WRITING AND WRITING AND READING TEST READING AND EVIDENCE-BASED
LANGUAGE TEST LANGUAGE SCORE WRITING READING AND WRITING
RAW SCORE TEST SCORE (10-40) TEST SCORE SECTION SCORE
(0-44) (10-40) (20-80) (200-800)

CONVERT
+ = + =

MATH TEST – MATH TEST – MATH SECTION MATH SECTION EVIDENCE-BASED TOTAL SAT
NO CALCULATOR CALCULATOR RAW SCORE SCORE READING AND WRITING SCORE
RAW SCORE RAW SCORE (0-58) (200-800) SECTION SCORE (400-1600)
(0-20) (0-38) (200-800)

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

Raw Score Conversion – Cross-Test Scores

Table 9 (a-b)
Cross-Test Scores
RAW SCORE CONVERSION | TABLE 2

Analysis in Analysis in
History/Social Analysis in History/Social Analysis in
Raw Score Raw Score
(# of correct Studies Science (# of correct Studies Science
answers) Cross-Test Score Cross-Test Score answers) Cross-Test Score Cross-Test Score
0 10 10 18 26 25
1 10 11 19 27 26
2 11 12 20 28 27
3 12 13 21 28 27
4 13 14 22 29 28
5 14 15 23 30 29
6 16 16 24 30 30
7 17 17 25 31 30
8 18 18 26 32 31
9 19 19 27 32 32
10 20 19 28 33 32
11 21 20 29 34 33
12 22 21 30 35 34
13 23 22 31 36 34
14 24 22 32 36 35
15 24 23 33 37 36
16 25 24 34 39 38
17 26 25 35 40 40

Cross-Test Scores
CONVERSION EQUATION 2

CONVERT CONVERT
 
ANALYSIS IN HISTORY/ ANALYSIS IN HISTORY/ ANALYSIS IN SCIENCE ANALYSIS IN SCIENCE
SOCIAL STUDIES SOCIAL STUDIES RAW SCORE SUBSCORE
RAW SCORE SUBSCORE (0-35) (10-40)
(0-35) (10-40)

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

Raw Score Conversion – Subscores

Subscores
Table 8
RAW SCORE CONVERSION TABLE 3

Raw Score Standard Problem Passport to

(# of correct Expression of English Heart of Solving and Advanced Words in Command of
answers) Ideas Conventions Algebra Data Analysis Math Context Evidence
0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 2 1 2 1 3
2 2 1 3 2 4 1 4
3 2 2 3 3 5 1 5
4 3 3 4 4 6 2 5
5 4 4 5 6 7 3 6
6 4 4 6 7 8 4 6
7 5 5 7 7 8 5 7
8 5 6 7 8 9 5 8
9 6 6 8 9 9 6 8
10 6 7 9 10 10 7 9
11 7 8 9 10 11 8 9
12 7 9 10 11 11 9 10
13 8 9 10 12 12 9 11
14 8 10 11 13 13 10 12
15 9 11 12 14 14 11 12
16 9 12 12 14 15 12 13
17 10 13 13 15 14 14
18 10 14 14 15 15
19 11 15 15
20 12 15
21 12
22 13
23 14
24 15

Subscores
CONVERSION EQUATION 3

CONVERT CONVERT CONVERT

  
COMMAND OF COMMAND OF WORDS IN WORDS IN EXPRESSION OF IDEAS EXPRESSION OF IDEAS
EVIDENCE EVIDENCE CONTEXT CONTEXT RAW SCORE SUBSCORE
RAW SCORE SUBSCORE RAW SCORE SUBSCORE (0-24) (1-15)
(0-18) (1-15) (0-18) (1-15)

CONVERT CONVERT CONVERT

  
STANDARD ENGLISH STANDARD ENGLISH HEART OF ALGEBRA HEART OF ALGEBRA PROBLEM SOLVING PROBLEM SOLVING
CONVENTIONS CONVENTIONS RAW SCORE SUBSCORE AND DATA ANALYSIS AND DATA ANALYSIS
RAW SCORE SUBSCORE (0-19) (1-15) RAW SCORE SUBSCORE
(0-20) (1-15) (0-17) (1-15)

CONVERT

PASSPORT TO PASSPORT TO
ADVANCED MATH ADVANCED MATH
RAW SCORE SUBSCORE
(0-16) (1-15)

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

THE SAT ESSAY

The SAT Essay assesses reading, analysis, and writing skills. It’s optional
and given at the end of the SAT. Essays are evaluated for demonstrated
comprehension of a source text, quality of analysis, and quality of writing.
See the Essay Scoring Guide on pages 15 and 16 for more information.
▶▶ Total questions: 1 prompt, with points to consider and directions
▶▶ 1 passage
▶▶ Time allotted: 50 minutes to read and analyze the passage and to develop
a written response
On the SAT Essay, you’re asked to demonstrate college- and career-
readiness proficiency in reading, analysis, and writing through
comprehending a high-quality source text, producing a cogent and clear
written analysis of that text, and supporting that analysis with critical
reasoning and evidence drawn from the source. The Essay prompt doesn’t
ask you to take a stand on the author’s point of view but instead to analyze
how the author builds a persuasive argument.
Your essay will receive three scores, each on a scale of 2–8:
1. Reading: Demonstrated comprehension of the passage, its main ideas, and
its important details.
2. Analysis: Demonstrated understanding of the analytical task, and effective
analysis of the author’s use of evidence, reasoning, and/or stylistic or
persuasive elements (and/or features of your own choice).
3. Writing: Communication of information and ideas in a structured, cohesive
manner, using precise language and a variety of sentence structures and
showing a command of the conventions of standard written English.
Your Essay scores aren’t combined with each other or with any other scores
on the SAT. (They don’t, for instance, affect the Evidence-Based Reading
and Writing section score or the total test score.)

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

ESSAY SCORING GUIDE

Score Reading Analysis Writing

4 ADVANCED: The response ADVANCED: The response offers an ADVANCED: The response is cohesive
demonstrates thorough insightful analysis of the source text and demonstrates a highly effective
comprehension of the source text. and demonstrates a sophisticated use and command of language.
The response shows an understanding of the analytical The response includes a precise
understanding of the text’s central task. central claim.
idea(s) and of most important The response offers a thorough, The response includes a skillful
details and how they interrelate, well-considered evaluation of the introduction and conclusion. The
demonstrating a comprehensive author’s use of evidence, reasoning, response demonstrates a deliberate
understanding of the text. and/or stylistic and persuasive and highly effective progression of
The response is free of errors of elements, and/or feature(s) of the ideas both within paragraphs and
fact or interpretation with regard student’s own choosing. throughout the essay.
to the text. The response contains relevant, The response has a wide variety in
The response makes skillful sufficient, and strategically chosen sentence structures. The response
use of textual evidence support for claim(s) or point(s) demonstrates a consistent use of
(quotations, paraphrases, or made. precise word choice. The response
both), demonstrating a complete The response focuses consistently maintains a formal style and
understanding of the source text. on those features of the text that objective tone.
are most relevant to addressing The response shows a strong
the task. command of the conventions of
standard written English and is free
or virtually free of errors.

3 PROFICIENT: The response PROFICIENT: The response offers an PROFICIENT: The response is mostly
demonstrates effective effective analysis of the source text cohesive and demonstrates effective
comprehension of the source text. and demonstrates an understanding use and control of language.
The response shows an of the analytical task. The response includes a central
understanding of the text’s central The response competently claim or implicit controlling idea.
idea(s) and important details. evaluates the author’s use of The response includes an effective
The response is free of substantive evidence, reasoning, and/or stylistic introduction and conclusion.
errors of fact and interpretation and persuasive elements, and/or
feature(s) of the student’s own The response demonstrates a clear
with regard to the text. progression of ideas both within
choosing.
The response makes appropriate paragraphs and throughout the
use of textual evidence (quotations, The response contains relevant and essay.
paraphrases, or both), demonstrating sufficient support for claim(s) or
point(s) made. The response has variety in
an understanding of the source text. sentence structures. The response
The response focuses primarily on demonstrates some precise word
those features of the text that are choice. The response maintains a
most relevant to addressing the task. formal style and objective tone.
The response shows a good control
of the conventions of standard
written English and is free of
significant errors that detract from
the quality of writing.

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 Question-and-Answer Service Student Guide

ESSAY SCORING GUIDE, continued

Score Reading Analysis Writing

2 PARTIAL: The response demonstrates PARTIAL: The response offers PARTIAL: The response demonstrates
some comprehension of the source limited analysis of the source text little or no cohesion and limited skill
text. and demonstrates only partial in the use and control of language.
The response shows an understanding of the analytical task. The response may lack a clear
understanding of the text’s central The response identifies and central claim or controlling idea or
idea(s) but not of important details. attempts to describe the author’s may deviate from the claim or idea
The response may contain errors use of evidence, reasoning, over the course of the response.
of fact and/or interpretation with and/or stylistic and persuasive The response may include an
regard to the text. elements, and/or feature(s) of the ineffective introduction and/or
student’s own choosing, but merely conclusion. The response may
The response makes limited and/or asserts rather than explains their
haphazard use of textual evidence demonstrate some progression of
importance. ideas within paragraphs but not
(quotations, paraphrases, or both),
demonstrating some understanding Or one or more aspects of throughout the response.
of the source text. the response’s analysis are The response has limited variety
unwarranted based on the text. in sentence structures; sentence
The response contains little or no structures may be repetitive.
support for claim(s) or point(s) made. The response demonstrates general
The response may lack a clear focus or vague word choice; word choice
on those features of the text that are may be repetitive. The response
most relevant to addressing the task. may deviate noticeably from a
formal style and objective tone.
The response shows a limited
control of the conventions of
standard written English and
contains errors that detract from the
quality of writing and may impede
understanding.

1 INADEQUATE: The response INADEQUATE: The response offers INADEQUATE: The response
demonstrates little or no little or no analysis or ineffective demonstrates little or no cohesion
comprehension of the source text. analysis of the source text and inadequate skill in the use and
The response fails to show an and demonstrates little or no control of language.
understanding of the text’s central understanding of the analytic task. The response may lack a clear
idea(s), and may include only details The response identifies without central claim or controlling idea.
without reference to central idea(s). explanation some aspects of the The response lacks a recognizable
The response may contain numerous author’s use of evidence, reasoning, introduction and conclusion.
errors of fact and/or interpretation and/or stylistic and persuasive The response does not have a
with regard to the text. elements, and/or feature(s) of the discernible progression of ideas.
student’s choosing.
The response makes little or The response lacks variety in
no use of textual evidence Or numerous aspects of sentence structures; sentence
(quotations, paraphrases, or the response’s analysis are structures may be repetitive. The
both), demonstrating little or no unwarranted based on the text. response demonstrates general and
understanding of the source text. The response contains little or vague word choice; word choice
no support for claim(s) or point(s) may be poor or inaccurate. The
made, or support is largely response may lack a formal style
irrelevant. and objective tone.
The response may not focus on The response shows a weak control
features of the text that are relevant of the conventions of standard
to addressing the task. written English and may contain
The response offers no discernible numerous errors that undermine the
analysis (e.g., is largely or quality of writing.
exclusively summary).

16