How is the selective Writing test marked?
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For the 2027 test (Year 7 entry in 2028), two different examiners mark each Writing response, and a third marker re-marks it if their scores differ. They look at your child's ideas, how well they write for the purpose and audience, and how they use language, along with structure, grammar, punctuation and vocabulary.
Facts checked Last updated Sources
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What does the Writing test ask my child to do?
Your child gets one topic and writes a response to it, following the instructions on screen. The Writing test gives a topic, and students write about it following the instructions. It is the one part of the selective test that is not multiple choice.
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tasks | 1 task |
| Time | 30 minutes |
| Share of the test | 25% |
| Length | 2 pages at most |
Students can brainstorm and plan on paper or on screen before typing their response. In practice that means a few minutes spent working out what to say, then typing it. There is no prize for filling the page: the length above is a ceiling, not a target. Writing sits alongside Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills; the how the selective test works page sets out all four sections.
What do the markers look for?
Markers judge the quality of the ideas, whether the writing suits its purpose and reader, and how well your child uses language. Those three come from the Department's main parent page. Its video and its student page add the nuts and bolts of writing. The table puts every item in one place, in plain words, with where the Department says it.
| What counts | What it means in plain words | Where the Department says it |
|---|---|---|
| Creativity of ideas | Ideas that are your child's own and hold the reader's interest, not a stock answer. | Practice tests page (parents) |
| Writing for a purpose and audience | Doing what the instructions ask, in a way that suits the reader the task has in mind. | Practice tests page (parents) |
| Use of language for effect | Choosing words and sentences on purpose, to make the reader think or feel something. | Practice tests page (parents) |
| Text structure | A clear beginning, middle and end, with paragraphs that follow on from each other. | Practice tests video |
| Style | A voice and tone that fit the kind of writing asked for. | Practice tests video |
| Grammar | Sentences that are correctly built. | Practice tests video and student page |
| Punctuation | Full stops, commas and other marks in the right places. | Practice tests video and student page |
| Vocabulary | Words chosen for exactly what your child means, not just to sound clever. | Practice tests video and student page |
| Spelling | Words spelt correctly. | Student page |
The Department describes these qualities in general terms. It does not say how many marks each one carries, so we don't either.
Why do the Department's pages list slightly different things?
Each page is written for a different reader, so the lists overlap but don't match word for word. The parent practice page names the three big qualities. The video on the same page adds structure, grammar, punctuation, style and vocabulary:
“The text structure, grammar, punctuation, chosen style and the vocabulary you use to help you express your message will also contribute to your mark.”
The student page mentions spelling, which the other two don't:
“The markers will also look at grammar, punctuation, spelling and vocabulary.”
We show each page's wording as it is and don't merge them into one official list. For a parent, the sensible reading is that all of it matters: strong ideas carry the piece, and careless errors still get noticed.
What happens if my child writes off topic?
An off-topic response is marked lower, however well it is written. The Department is direct about this:
“The student’s writing must address the given topic, otherwise it will be marked lower, regardless of their fluency or creativity.”
This is why a learned-by-heart story is risky. If it doesn't answer the topic on the day, the fluency won't rescue it. Reading the instructions twice and planning to the topic is time well spent.
Who marks the Writing test, and can it be re-marked?
People mark it, not a computer: each response goes to 2 examiners. The placement procedures say that where the two examiners' scores differ, a third marker re-marks the response. The Department's outcomes page mentions only the two examiners; the third marker is set out in the placement procedures.
Families cannot ask for a re-mark. Test questions cannot be re-marked. Multiple-choice questions are computer-marked, with manual reliability checks. The double marking is the Department's check on the Writing mark. What a result letter does and doesn't tell you is on the selective results page.
How can my child practise for the Writing test?
The Department's own practice tests are the place to start. The Department publishes 3 PDF sample tests, each with Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills and a Writing sample question. The PDF practice tests come from older paper-based versions of the test, so they do not reflect the current format. So use them for the kind of topic and the instructions, and use the online practice to get used to typing a response. The online practice tests simulate the real test, so your child can get used to the test software and its tools.
A simple routine at home: set the timer for the full time, spend the first few minutes planning, write, then read it back against the table above. Asking "Did I answer the topic?" first catches the most costly mistake. Links to all sample tests are on the Department's selective practice tests page.
The same practice tests cover the other three sections; the selective Reading test page explains the first of them.
Does the OC test have a Writing section?
No. The OC test has 3 sections (Reading, Thinking Skills and Mathematical Reasoning). Unlike the selective test, there is no Writing section. If your child is in Year 4 sitting the OC test, see the OC placement test guide, or compare the two tests side by side on OC vs selective. For more on the selective test, go back to the selective guide.
Sources
Each fact on this page, the page we checked it against and the source's own words. An “Expected” date is our estimate from past years, not the Department's.
- Selective high school practice tests
- Writing: 1 task, 30 minutes, 25%Checked
The source's words
“Writing Test | 1 | 30 | Open response | 25%”
- Writing: a set topicChecked
The source's words
“The Writing Test consists of a topic which the student must write about according to the instructions.”
- Writing: plan on paper or on screenChecked
The source's words
“You can brainstorm and make a plan on paper or on screen before typing your response in the space provided.”
- Writing: what is assessedChecked
The source's words
“This test assesses the creativity of the student’s ideas and their ability to write effectively for a purpose and audience. The writing test also assesses the student’s use of language for effect.”
- Writing: structure, grammar and style also countChecked
The source's words
“The text structure, grammar, punctuation, chosen style and the vocabulary you use to help you express your message will also contribute to your mark.”
- Writing: off-topic responses are marked lowerChecked
The source's words
“The student’s writing must address the given topic, otherwise it will be marked lower, regardless of their fluency or creativity.”
- Three PDF sample testsChecked
The source's words
“Sample practice test 3 | Section | Links to practice tests |”
- PDF tests are from the old paper testChecked
The source's words
“The PDF practice tests below are from older paper-based versions of the test. So they do not reflect the current test format.”
- Online practice simulates the real testChecked
The source's words
“The online computer-based practice tests will simulate the actual placement tests. This helps your child get familiar with the test software and its tools.”
- The Department says coaching is not necessaryChecked
The source's words
“It is important to know that coaching or tutoring for the placement test is not necessary.”
- Get ready for the Selective High School Placement Test
- Writing: no more than 2 pagesChecked
The source's words
“A sample Writing Test question is also provided. You won't have to write more than 2 pages in your response.”
- Writing: the student page mentions spellingChecked
The source's words
“The markers will also look at grammar, punctuation, spelling and vocabulary.”
- Outcomes
- Writing: two examinersChecked
The source's words
“Each writing test response, in the Selective High School Placement test, is already marked by two different examiners.”
- No re-markingChecked
The source's words
“It is not possible to have any test questions remarked. All multiple-choice test questions are computer-marked and manual reliability checks are already carried out to ensure their accuracy.”
- Selective high schools and opportunity classes placement procedures (PD-2002-0006-06)
- Writing: a third marker if the two differChecked
The source's words
“Each writing test response, in the Selective High School Placement Test, is marked by 2 different examiners. Where the score differs between the markers, it is re-marked by a third marker.”
- Opportunity class practice tests
- No Writing sectionChecked
The source's words
“There are 3 test sections: reading, thinking skills and maths.”