Listening Scoring Guide

Please note that while Listening and Writing is administered as a single assessment, the Listening portion and the Writing portion are scored separately.

Scoring of the Listening portion is based on the accuracy and completeness of the information in the examinee's written messages. It is not based on mechanics or writing style. Examinees are encouraged to use complete sentences or paragraphs because score comparisons indicated that this format improved scores: when using complete sentences, examinees included more details and the clarity of the messages improved.

The following is a summary of the criteria used in scoring each individual response to the Listening portion of the Listening and Writing assessment. Responses, which are scored holistically, do not always fall precisely into any one score point. Therefore, this summary should be used as an overall guide, not as a checklist.

Note: Writing style and mechanics do not affect the Listening score.

Score 5: All information is present and correct; response conveys insight into situation through tone and/or subtle details.
Score 4: Response correct in that all important information is given and is correct; may be missing subtle details; may have incorrect details that do not interfere with central meaning.
Score 3: Response substantially correct; all information that is present is correct; may be missing a few pieces of information.
Score 2: Some pertinent information; some information may be incorrect, but sketch of the situation is correct.
Score 1: Minimal pertinent information; provides either the gist of the situation or a clue regarding a source of further information.
Score 0: No meaningful information, or totally inaccurate information.

Related Information

Characteristics
Sample Items—Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5