For the sub-test Writing, award points according to the marking criteria. For the Oral Examination, award points according to the marking criteria.
Add together the points for the written examination and the oral examination separately. To pass the whole examination, the candidate must get at least 60% of the maximum total number of points in both the written and the oral examination. This corresponds to a total of 135 points for the written examination and 45 points for the oral examination.
If the candidate has more than the minimum number of points in each part of the examination, then the number of points for the written examination is added to the number of points for the oral exami- nation to get the final total. The grade is awarded according to the following table:
70 – 00 points Very Good (Grade 1)
0 – . points Good (Grade 2)
10 – . points Satisfactory (Grade 3)
10 – 0. points Pass (Grade 4)
In the real examination, if a candidate fails or does not take one of the two parts of the examination, (written or oral) he/she can retake that part of the examination during the calendar year in which the examination was taken the first time or the following calendar year and have the points added tog- ether to get the final grade. The entire examination can be retaken as many times as the candidate wishes, e.g. to pass or to get a better grade.
Each letter is marked by two examiners who try to reach a consensus on the mark to be awarded. A maximum total of 45 points may be awarded for this part. This corresponds to 15% of 300, the total possible number of points.
The letter is marked according to the following three criteria:
·
Criterion 1: Content·
Criterion 2: Communicative Design·
Criterion 3: LanguageThe total number of points is finally multiplied by 3.
Information
For both of the first two criteria, the mark A* can be given, if the candidate’s performance is above level B2 .
(The letter is above B2 standard.) appropriate in all respects. appropriate in most respects. mostly inappropriate. completely inappropriate. A* A B C 1 D 0 Criterion 1: Content
Assessment is made on the basis of
1. the appropriate choice of type of text and the register.
2. the inclusion of at least two of the guiding points and other aspects. According to the criterion, the content is
Criterion : Communicative Design
Assessment is based on
1. the way the text has been organised.
2. the links between the sentences and between the parts of the text. 3. the range and variety of language used.
4. the appropriacy of the register.
The communicative design of the letter is
Criterion : Language
Assessment is based on syntax, morphology and spelling. The letter contains
(The letter is above B2 standard.) appropriate in all respects. appropriate in most respects. mostly inappropriate. completely inappropriate. A* A B C 1 D 0
no errors or only one or two errors without affecting the communicative aim of the letter.
so many errors that the communicative aim of the letter is not fulfilled.
a few errors without impairing the reader’s understanding of the letter at one reading.
A
B
C 1
D 0
errors that make it necessary to read the letter a number of times thus noticeably impai- ring the reader’s understanding of the communicative aim of the letter.
Information for Teachers
Oral Examination
The marking of the oral examination is carried out during the examination by each of the two examiners individually. After the candidates have left the room, the examiners reach a consensus on the marks to be awarded for each candidate.
The candidates’ performance is assessed according to the following four criteria:
· Criterion 1: Expression
· Criterion 2: Task Management
· Criterion 3: Language
· Criterion 4: Pronunciation and Intonation
For both of the first two criteria, the mark A* can be given, if the candidate’s performance is above level B2 .
Criterion 1: Expression
Assessment is based on
1. the extent to which the language used (vocabulary and functional exponents) is appropriate to the content of the task and the role relationship between the candidates.
2. the range and variety of language used. 3. the realisation of the speech intentions. Expression is
Criterion : Task Management
Assessment is based on
1. the degree of active participation in the discourse.
2. the use of strategies (discourse strategies and, where necessary, compensation strategies).
3. fluency.
Task Management is
A* above B2 standard.
A appropriate in all respects.
B appropriate in most respects.
C mostly inappropriate.
D completely inappropriate.
A* above B2 standard.
A appropriate in all respects.
B appropriate in most respects.
C mostly inappropriate.
D completely inappropriate.
Criterion : Language
Assessment is based on syntax and morphology. The candidate makes
no or very few errors.
a number of errors without impairing the communicative aim. errors that considerably impair the communicative aim. so many errors that communication is (almost) impossible.
A B C D
Information for Teachers
Scoring the Oral Examination
Each part of the oral examination is scored separately according to the four criteria.
For each of these criteria, a mark is given on the scale A-B-C-D which corresponds to the following points: Criterion A B C D 1 Expression 7 0 Task Management 7 0 Language 7 0 Pronunciation/Intonation 1 0
The total possible number of points for each part is 25.
The total possible number of points for the oral examination is 75. This is 25% of the total possible number of points for the whole examination.
Criterion : Pronunciation and Intonation
Assessment is based on pronunciation and intonation. There are
A no significant divergences from standard pronunciation and intonation. B divergences from standard pronunciation and intonation but not adversely
affecting communication.
C considerable divergences from standard pronunciation and intonation that impair communication and require extra concentration on the part of the listener.
D significant divergences from standard pronunciation and intonation that impair
communication to a considerable degree and prevent comprehension at times.
Information for Teachers