O-Level Oral Part 1: How It Is Marked
Part 1 is 15 marks, split 10 for the response and 5 for delivery. SEAB publishes both scales, reproduced below.
Two thirds of the mark is for what you say. A beautifully spoken answer with one thin idea cannot go far.
Response, 10 marks
Criteria: development and organisation of ideas, and expression of ideas.
| Band | Marks | Descriptors |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 9 to 10 | A well-considered response which is well-developed and organised · Uses a wide range of well-chosen vocabulary and structures |
| 4 | 7 to 8 | A thoughtful response which is generally well-developed and organised · Uses a range of largely appropriate vocabulary and structures |
| 3 | 5 to 6 | Response has some development and organisation · Some attempt at a range of vocabulary and structures |
| 2 | 3 to 4 | Ideas have simple development and organisation · Simple vocabulary and structures used mostly appropriately |
| 1 | 1 to 2 | A slight attempt to address the topic · A few examples of simple vocabulary and structures |
| 0 | 0 | No creditable response |
"Well-considered" is the top band's word. Band 4 is "thoughtful". The difference in practice is usually whether you have weighed the other side rather than only argued your own.
Development, not coverage. Band 3 has "some development". The way up is to take two reasons and push each until something specific appears, not to name five reasons and leave them.
Delivery, 5 marks
Criteria: pronunciation, fluency, intonation. One descriptor per mark.
| Marks | Descriptor |
|---|---|
| 5 | Delivery is fluent with clear pronunciation, and intonation varied to good effect |
| 4 | Delivery is generally fluent and clear in pronunciation with appropriate intonation |
| 3 | Delivery is quite fluent with intelligible pronunciation and some variation of intonation |
| 2 | Patches of fluent delivery and intelligible pronunciation with attempts at using appropriate intonation |
| 1 | Pronunciation is intelligible at times with occasional use of appropriate intonation |
| 0 | No creditable response |
Intonation is named at every band. A flat, careful monotone costs marks even when every word is correct, and it is the single most common reason a well-prepared candidate loses delivery marks.
This is why you should not write a script. You cannot read 300 words aloud in two minutes and sound like you are talking to someone, and "varied to good effect" is a mark for sounding like you are talking to someone.
Back to Planned response