AWA Scoring and Criteria 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a human rater and the e-rater disagree by more than one point on an AWA essay, what happens?
- The e-rater score is automatically used
- A second human rater scores the essay (Correct answer)
- The test taker is asked to resubmit
- The higher score is always used
Correct answer: A second human rater scores the essay
A significant discrepancy between the human rater and the e-rater triggers adjudication by a second human rater whose score becomes final.
Question 2: Which of the following essay traits would MOST likely result in a score of 1 on the AWA?
- A few minor grammatical errors
- Addressing only part of the prompt with some analysis
- Severe lack of development with pervasive language errors making comprehension difficult (Correct answer)
- Using informal language in one paragraph
Correct answer: Severe lack of development with pervasive language errors making comprehension difficult
A score of 1 is reserved for essays that are fundamentally deficient—nearly incoherent with little relevant content.
Question 3: The AWA score is reported on what scale?
- 0 to 10 in whole-number increments
- 0 to 6 in half-point increments (Correct answer)
- 1 to 6 in whole-number increments
- 0 to 100 in single-point increments
Correct answer: 0 to 6 in half-point increments
AWA scores are reported on a 0–6 scale in half-point increments (e.g., 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, ... 6.0).
Question 4: For the Analyze an Argument task, which of the following is considered the best analytical approach?
- Agree or disagree with the argument's conclusion based on personal opinion
- Identify and explain the logical flaws or unstated assumptions in the argument (Correct answer)
- Summarize the argument and provide supporting examples from memory
- Focus on the author's word choice and stylistic decisions
Correct answer: Identify and explain the logical flaws or unstated assumptions in the argument
The task requires critiquing the logical structure of the argument by identifying assumptions, gaps, and weaknesses—not expressing personal agreement.
Question 5: How is the final AWA score calculated when two raters each give a holistic score?
- The higher of the two scores is reported
- The lower of the two scores is reported
- The two scores are averaged (Correct answer)
- The scores are added together
Correct answer: The two scores are averaged
When scores are in agreement or close, the final AWA score is the average of the two ratings.
Question 6: Which of the following is NOT a category assessed by AWA holistic raters?
- Organization and structure
- Development and support of ideas
- Control of standard written English
- Speed of writing (words per minute) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Speed of writing (words per minute)
Raters evaluate argumentation, organization, and language control—not how quickly the test taker typed.
Question 7: What does a score of 3 on the AWA typically indicate about an essay?
- It is an outstanding essay with sophisticated analysis
- It is a limited essay with notable weaknesses in reasoning or language (Correct answer)
- It contains only irrelevant content
- It addresses the prompt but ignores all supporting details
Correct answer: It is a limited essay with notable weaknesses in reasoning or language
A score of 3 is 'limited'—the essay demonstrates some competence but has significant weaknesses in analysis, development, or language.
AWA Scoring and Criteria 3
When a human rater and the e-rater disagree by more than one point on an AWA essay, what happens?