This score indicates an otherwise excellent essay that also conveys an effective voice, stimulates strong interest, and fulfills the assignment's potential. This score indicates an otherwise acceptable essay that controls the assignment well and demonstrates strong control of format and mechanics. This score indicates an essay that is competently written and that responds adequately to the assigned topic. An acceptable essay shows the normal features of writing that seeks both to inform readers and to demonstrate a thesis. Ideas are well developed and organized so that the reader can follow the test easily, and usage is accurate and clear enough to be read quickly.
Acceptable essays are usually at least three pages long in handwriting of average size.
This score indicates a response that does not meet the entire assignment adequately. It may be too general, superficial, underdeveloped, disorganized, incomplete, off-topic, or filled with distracting usage errors. Very few essays that are shorter than two full pages will earn a higher score than this. Very few essays that do not clearly address both parts of the prompt will earn a higher score. This score indicates a response that is simply too brief, that has most of the listed weaknesses of developing essays, or that shows one or more of the listed weaknesses of developing essays to an extreme degree.