WR]TING AND SPEAKING ASSESSMENT

Writing Assessment
BAND

117

Speaking Assessment
Throughout the test candidates are assessed on their own individual performance and not in relation to each other, by two examiners. The assessor awards marks according to four analytical criteria:
o

For a Band 5 to be awarded, the candidate's writing fully achieves the desired effect on the target reader. All the content points required in the task are included* and expanded appropriately. Ideas are organised effecvely, with the use of a variety of linking devices and a wide range of structure and vocabulary. The language is well developed, and any errors that do occur are minimal and perhaps due to ambitious attempts at more complex language. Register and format which is consistently appropriate to the purpose of the task and the audience is used. For a Band 4 to be awarded, the candidate's writing achieves the desired effect on the target reader. A11 the content points required in the task are included*. Ideas are clearly organised, with the use of suitable Iinking devices and a good range of structure and vocabulary. Generally, the language is accurate, and any errors that do occur are mainly due to attempts at more complex language. Register and format which is, on the whole, appropriate to the purpose of the task and the audience is used. For a Band 3 to be awarded, the candidate's writing, on the whole, achieves the desired effect on the target reader. All the content points required in the task are included*. Ideas are organised adequately, with the use of simple linking devices and an adequate range of structure and vocabulary. A number of errors may be present, but they do not impede communication. A reasonable, if not always successful, attempt is made at register and format which is appropriate to the purpose of the task and the audience. For a Band 2 to be awarded, the candidate's writing does not clearly communicate the message to the target reader. Some content points required in the task are inadequately covered or omitted, and/ or there is some irrelevant material. Ideas are inadequately organised, linking devices are rarely used, and the range of structure and vocabulary is limited. Errors distract the reader and may obscure communication at times. Attempts at appropriate register and format are unsuccessful or inconsistent.

Grammar and Vocabulary Management

o Discourse o

Pronunciation

r Interactive Communication.
The interlocutor awards a mark for Global

BAND

Achievement. Grammar and Vocabulary

This refers to the accurate and appropriate use of a range of grammatical forms and vocabulary. Performance is viewed in terms of the overall effectiveness of the language used in spoken

interaction. Discourse Management

This refers to,the candidate's ability to link utterances together to form coherent speech, without undue hesitation. The utterances should be relevant to the tasks and should be arranged logically to develop the themes or arguments required by the tasks.

BAND

,t

Pronunciation
This refers to the candidate's ability to produce intelligible utterances to fulfil the task requirements. This includes stress and intonation as well as individual sounds. Examiners put themselves in the position of a non-ESOL specialist and assess the overall impact of fhe pronunciation and the degree of effort required to understand the candidate.

BAND

Interactive Communication
This refers to the candidate's ability to take an active part in the development of the discourse. This requires an ability to participate in the range of interactive situations in the test and to develop discussons on a range of topics by initiating and responding appropriately. This also refers to the deployment of strategies to maintain interaction at an appropriate level throughout the test so that the tasks can be fulfilled.

1.

writing has

For a Band 1 to be awarded, the candidate's a very negative effect on the target reader. There is notable omission of content points and/ or considerable irrelevance, possibly due to misinterpretation of the task. There is a lack of organisation or linking devices, and there is Iittle evidence of language control. The range of structure and vocabulary is narrow, and frequent errors obscure co*r.,rni"ution. There is littl or no awareness of appropriate register and format.

Global Achievement
This refers to the candidate's overall effectiveness in dealing with the tasks in the four separate parts of the FCE Speaking test. The global mark is an independent impression mark which reflects the assessment of the candidate's performance from the interlocutor's perspective.

BAND

For a Band zero to be awarded, there is either too Iittle language for assessment or the candidate's writing is totally irrelevant or totally illegible.

*Candidates who do not address all the content points will be penalised for dealing inadequately with the requirements of the task. Candidates who fully satisfy the Band 3 descriptor will demonstrate an adequate performance in writing at FCE
1eve1.