So I've written essays on the first ten topics that ETS has posted online (link: https://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt-enhancements/prep.html). Here are some results:
- Every essay that has been 130+ words and grammatically accurate has scored 5.0.
- One essay at 132 words, that had at least nine grammar mistakes and eight spelling mistakes got 4.0.
- Essay 5 had 119 words and no grammar mistakes and got 5.0.
- Essay 8 had 121 words and no grammar mistakes and got 4.0.
- Every essay that had fewer than 119 words has scored 4.0.
Two easy generalizations:
- You want to write more than 130 words in your essay to get 5.0 from e-rater.
- You can't make too many grammar and spelling mistakes.
Next question: is e-rater assessing vocabulary level?
- If you write 130+ words with only one and two syllable words, can you still get 5.0?
- If you write 100 words and use a lot of long and academic vocabulary, can you get 5.0?
We'll find out soon.
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