Practice Scoring Guide
for Document-Based Questions
(from: U.S. History: Preparing for the A.P.Exam, AMSCO Publishers, 1998, pp. xxix-xxx)
SCORE
COMMENT
8-9
1. Contains a well-developed thesis that clearly addresses
2. the question.
Presents an effective analysis of all parts of the question,
3. although treatment may be uneven.
4. Uses a substantial number of documents effectively.
5. Makes substantial use of relevant outside information to
6. support thesis.
Clearly organized and well written.
May have insignificant errors.
5-7
1. Thesis addresses question, but not as focused or
2. comprehensive as above.
Analysis deals with part of the question in some depth,
3. other parts in a more general way.
4. Uses some of the documents effectively.
5. Supports thesis with some outside information.
6. Shows evidence of acceptable organization and writing.
May contain errors that do not seriously detract from the
quality of the essay.
2-4
1. Presents a limited, confused, and/or poorly developed
2. thesis.
Deals with one aspect of the question in a general way or
3. all parts in a superficial way with simplistic explanations.
4. Quotes or briefly cites documents.
5. Contains little outside information or information that is
inaccurate or irrelevant.
6. Demonstrates weak organization and/or writing skills that
interfere with comprehension.
May contain major errors.
0-1
1. Contains no thesis or a thesis that does not address the
2. question.
3. Inadequate or inaccurate understanding of the question.
Contains little or no understanding of the documents or
4. ignores them completely.
5. Inappropriate or no use of outside information.
6. Disorganized and poorly written.
Numerous errors, both major and minor.