ORAL TEST SCORING RUBRIC

Score
Pronunciation (S1) Fluency (S2) Comprehension (S3) Vocabulary (S4) Grammar (S5)
Rates
17-20 Speech is fluent and effortless Speech is fluent and Appear to understand Use of vocabulary and No more than two errors
as that of native speaker. effortless as that of native everything without difficulty idioms is virtually that of during the performance
speaker problems. to be expected of native native speaker.
speaker
13-16 Always intelligible on Speed of speech seems to be Nearly understand everything Sometimes uses Few errors with no pattern
consciousness of definite slightly affected by language in normal speed inappropriate terms of failure
accent. problems. and/or must rephrase
ideas because of
lexical inadequacies.
9-12 Pronunciation problems Speed and fluency are rather Understand quitely well but Frequently uses the Occasional errors
concentrated listening and strongly affected by language require occasional repetition wrong words, showing imperfect control
occasionally lead to problems. or rephrasing. conversation, somewhat of some pattern but no
misunderstanding. limited weakness that causes
because inadequate misunderstanding
vocabulary.
5-8 Very hard to understand Usually hesitant, often forced Understand only slow, simple Misuse of words and very Constant errors showing
because of pronunciation into silence by language and require constant limited vocabulary and control of very major
problems must frequently problems repetition or rephrasing lead toquite patterns and frequently
be asked to repeat. difficult preventing
comprehension communication
1-4 Pronunciation problems too Speech is as halting and Understand too little for the Vocabulary limitation to Grammar almost entirely
severe as to make speech fragmentary as to make simplest type of conversation extreme as to make inaccurate phrases
unintelligible. conversation virtually or monologue virtually impossible.
impossible. Comprehension

Source: Hughes, Arthur (1989); Testing for Language Center, Cambridge

Total Score: S1+S2+S3+S4+S5
Cambridge University Press