ESSAY SCORING GUIDE - ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH
EXAMPLE TEACHER'S RUBRIC
Grading
Scale

7-9
(90-100)

Holistic Number Explanation

8-9
•

7

•
•
•
•
•
•

6
Commendable
(a strong paper)

5
(70-79)
4
(60-69)
3
(40-59)
2
(30-39)
1
(10-29)
0

7-9

Brilliant/exceptional

Excellent
(a wonderful essay)

6 (80-89)

Profile of Holistic Areas

5
Adequate
(shows promise)

4
Limited achievement
(thin, not enough length)

3

•
•
•
•
•
•

Inadequate/severely limited

2
Unacceptable

1
Off prompt/no logical response (name on paper and
1 or 2 sentences)

0
CB gives this for totally off prompt In-class timed essays are graded on a holistic scale of 1-9, which is used by the
College Board. Timed writings will be given one of these numbers (or a combination of two) which correlates to the percentage scale above. The grading scale reflects an assessment of the paper according to AP standards. Generally speaking, three 6's and a score of 50% on the objective section will earn a "3" on the AP exam. If your essays are 5's, you will need to score in the 60% range on the objective section of the AP test in order to pass with a "3."

Thorough development of ideas with noteworthy insight Have at least two major points in the body
Clear and logical organization
Powerful vocabulary
Mature and varied sentence structure
Relevant and powerful supporting detail
Few significant mechanical errors

6-7, 5-6

Ideas are developed but not as well as the 7-9's
Above average sentence variety
Good commentary and supporting detail