VSTEP Writing Marking Criteria: How Examiners Score Your Writing
Quick answer: VSTEP Writing is marked on four equally weighted criteria: task fulfilment, organisation and cohesion, range and accuracy of vocabulary, and range and accuracy of grammar. Task 2 carries more weight than Task 1. To raise your score quickly, make sure you answer every point and paragraph clearly before worrying about advanced vocabulary.
The four criteria
| Criterion | What examiners look for |
|---|---|
| Task fulfilment | Every point answered, right text type, enough words, appropriate tone, a clear position. |
| Organisation | Logical paragraphs, one idea per paragraph, natural linking and referencing. |
| Vocabulary | Range and precision, correct collocations, few spelling errors. |
| Grammar | Both simple and complex sentences, few errors, errors don't block meaning. |
B1 vs B2 vs C1
| Level | What the writing looks like |
|---|---|
| B1 | Covers the main points, mostly simple sentences, basic linkers (and, but, because), frequent errors that don't stop the reader understanding. |
| B2 | Clear argument, ideas developed with explanations and examples, some complex sentences, fairly varied vocabulary, few errors that don't affect meaning. |
| C1 | Tight, nuanced argument, varied sentences, precise and natural vocabulary, almost error-free. |
The mistakes that cost the most
- Missing points: the task asks for three things and you answer two — losing marks on the most important criterion.
- Going off topic: writing about the general subject instead of answering the actual question.
- Too few words or an unfinished Task 2.
- Memorised essays copied in whole — examiners notice and the content doesn't fit the prompt.
- Repeated errors: missing plural "s", wrong tenses, missing articles.
How to self-assess while practising
After writing, put your answer next to a model answer labelled with its band and compare criterion by criterion: did I answer every point? Does each paragraph have one main idea? Did I use any complex sentences? Give yourself a 0–10 score for each criterion and log it to track progress.
The VSTEP Practice app shows the marking criteria and a Band 8 model answer as soon as you finish writing, so you can compare and score yourself — your writing stays on your device and is never uploaded.