Rubrics may be 3-tier rank (i.e. “Unacceptable,” “Acceptable,” or “Proficient” or “Unsatisfactory,” “Satisfactory,” or “Superior” or any other descriptive words with a hierchy implied), have 4 levels, 5 levels, or more. (Generally 2 tiers do not provide meaningful and usable data.) Number of levels (tiers) is a programmatic decision.
Rubric indicators must be descriptive and reflect increasing higher level functioning at the given tiers/levels. Each level/tier must provide a description of expected candidate performance at this given level/tier for each discrete indicator. An overall scale of 1-3, 1-4, 1-5 etc. with single word or phrase descriptors cannot be used.
The language of the indicators must focus on candidate performance and the knowledge and skills demonstrated not on the product or parts of the product.