Rubric

Rubrics serve as the bridge between an assessment task and its evaluation, providing both students and assessors with a clear framework for what constitutes quality work. There are two main types: analytic rubrics, which assess different dimensions (criteria) of the work separately, and holistic rubrics, which provide a single overall assessment based on a general description of each performance level.

The IB Diploma Programme uses criterion-based rubrics extensively for Internal Assessments. For example, the IB Biology IA is assessed against five criteria: Personal Engagement, Exploration, Analysis, Evaluation, and Communication, each on a scale of 0-2 or 0-6. Each criterion has published descriptors that define what is expected at each mark level. This analytic approach means students know exactly which dimensions of their work are being evaluated and can target their efforts accordingly.

AP exams use scoring rubrics for Free Response Questions. These rubrics are typically point-based for STEM subjects (specifying the exact steps or elements needed for each point) and may use holistic or analytic scales for humanities essays. The College Board publishes AP scoring rubrics after each exam session along with sample responses at various score levels, making them powerful study tools.

In the A-Level system, levels-based mark schemes function similarly to rubrics for extended writing questions. These mark schemes describe the characteristics of responses at different performance levels (e.g., Level 1 through Level 5), with each level corresponding to a mark range. Examiners use a "best fit" approach, placing each response at the level that most closely matches its overall quality.

For students, understanding the rubric before starting an assignment is essential. The rubric reveals what examiners value, how marks are distributed across different aspects of the work, and what distinguishes an excellent response from a merely adequate one. Students who structure their work around the assessment criteria consistently outperform those who do not.