Scoring Approaches

Abstract

Rating scale/rubric: "[A] series of ascending bands of proficiency" against which language performances are judged. "It may cover the whole conceptual range of learner proficiency, or it may just cover the range of proficiency relevant to the sector or institution concerned" (Council of Europe, 2001, p. 40).Rating criteria: Aspects of the construct in terms of which a test-taker's performance will be evaluated, e.g., task achievement, linguistic accuracy, organization, fluency, etc.Scoring band: A level in a rating scale which describes the specific extent to which a language learner can do something in the language and what the linguistic features are of their language use. A rating scale comprises multiple bands.Descriptor: A statement that stipulates the characteristics of a language performance at a particular band level. A scoring band comprises one or more descriptors per rating criterion.