AWA Scoring and Criteria 2

Question 1

Which of the following best describes what a score of 4 on the AWA indicates?

Accepted Answer

A competent essay that addresses the task with minor flaws

Answer

A flawless essay with no errors

Answer

An essay that fails to address the prompt

Answer

An essay with serious structural problems

Question 2

How do AWA raters handle essays that contain factual errors about the real world?

Accepted Answer

Factual errors are noted but do not heavily penalize the score unless they undermine the argument

Answer

Factual errors automatically lower the score by one point

Answer

Factual errors are ignored entirely since AWA tests argumentation, not knowledge

Answer

Factual errors result in a score of 0

Question 3

What distinguishes a score of 5 from a score of 6 on the AWA?

Accepted Answer

A score of 5 shows strong reasoning with minor lapses, while a score of 6 is outstanding with minimal flaws

Answer

A score of 5 has no grammatical errors while a score of 6 is perfect in all areas

Answer

A score of 5 requires two body paragraphs, while a score of 6 requires three

Answer

A score of 5 essay is shorter than a score of 6 essay

Question 4

On the AWA, what is the primary role of the e-rater (automated scoring engine)?

Accepted Answer

It serves as a second opinion alongside one human rater

Answer

It replaces the human rater entirely for final scoring

Answer

It only checks for plagiarism

Answer

It grades only the Argument essay, not the Issue essay

Question 5

If a test taker submits a blank AWA response, what score will they receive?

Accepted Answer

NS (No Score)

Answer

0

Answer

1

Answer

The essay is flagged and returned for rewriting

Question 6

Which writing quality carries the MOST weight in AWA holistic scoring?

Accepted Answer

Critical thinking and quality of argument

Answer

Handwriting and neatness

Answer

Vocabulary sophistication and word count

Answer

Use of transitional phrases

Question 7

How long does each AWA task allow for writing?

Accepted Answer

30 minutes

Answer

20 minutes

Answer

25 minutes

Answer

45 minutes