Charting and evaluating your essays - Practice Test 3

CliffsNotes CBEST - BTPS TESTING Ph.D., Jerry Bobrow Ph.D. & 8 more 2021

Charting and evaluating your essays
Practice Test 3

Use this CBEST Essay Scoring Criteria Checklist to evaluate your essays. Remember, your essay is considered a first draft and may contain some grammatical errors. However, to receive the highest possible score, your essay must address each of the scoring criteria components in the table that follows.

For each question, circle the answer that best describes your essay. Look for trends in the areas that need improvement and look for repeated low scores in specific areas. For example, if you consistently score low (Score 1 or 2) in Question 3, “Are the ideas supported in the body of the essay with specific details, examples, or reasons,” you will need to remind yourself to provide supporting examples in future essays. This re-examination and evaluation is a tremendous advantage in maximizing your best possible score.

Note: The official scoring guide rubric is located in Chapter 2, pp. 31—32.

CBEST Essay Scoring Criteria Checklist



Column A

Column B

Column C

Column D


QUESTION

SCORE 4

SCORE 3

SCORE 2

SCORE 1

1

Does the essay present a clear central idea or point of view?

Clearly presents

Adequately presents

Poorly presents

Fails to present

2

Does the essay stay focused on the main topic throughout the response?

Well focused

Generally a clear focus

Repeatedly loses focus

No focus

3

Are the ideas supported in the body of the essay with specific details, examples, or reasons?

Well supported with specific examples

Adequately supported with some examples

Partially supported, but lacks details

Unsupported, no details

4

Are the ideas logically organized?

Logically arranged

Generally organized

Some order evident

Disorganized

5

Did the essay use precise word choices?

Precise and accurate choice of words

Adequate choice of words

Generally imprecise choice of words

Poor choice of words

6

Are the language and style appropriate for the given audience?

Appropriate language and style

Fairly appropriate language and style

Ineffective language and style

Inappropriate language and style

7

Is the essay free from grammatical and mechanical errors?

Only a few minor errors

Some errors, but not serious

Distracting errors

Numerous and distracting errors