The Writing Sample Evaluation (WSE) assesses candidates’ written English skills, assigning scores from 0 to 6 (to one decimal place, e.g., 4.3, 2.2). It evaluates the real-world written communication capabilities of participants. After the Vericant interview process, submitting WSE scores helps schools assess an applicant’s English writing skills. These materials allow admissions officers to quickly evaluate an applicant’s written proficiency, facilitating the identification of candidates who meet their admission criteria. For applicants, the WSE score acts as a clear indicator of their performance, highlighting their written communication skills to various schools and programs.

What’s the WSE Assesment Criteria?

The WSE score reflects the following four aspects of English written usage, namely:

• Range of Vocabulary (breadth of vocabulary, including its accurate application in context and understanding of definitions)
• Grammar Control (the ability to form sentences using standard grammatical rules)
• Coherence (the ability to organize content effectively, particularly through smooth transitions, appropriate paragraphing, and the use of cohesive devices)
• Task fulfillment (degree of understanding of the given prompt and the capability to respond with relevant, detailed, and illustrative explanations.

How is the WSE score divided?

The WSE score is divided into six levels. For specific details, please refer to the “WSE Grade and Scoring Explanation Table” below. For more questions about the WSE, email our customer service at info@vericant.com.

Proficient

6: Demonstrates an exceptional understanding and articulation of ideas, mirroring the proficiency of a native speaker. This level signifies a robust mastery over all facets of written language, showcasing an ability to navigate complex linguistic landscapes with precision and ease.
5: Exhibits a high level of competency in communicating both complex and straightforward subjects with clarity and sophistication. Arguments are well-supported and presented in a coherent structure, showcasing fluency despite minor imperfections.
4: Possesses the ability to discuss a wide array of topics with competent control over language, producing texts that are coherent, albeit with some errors. The writing is generally clear, making it accessible to the audience.

Intermediate

3: Able to write about familiar subjects with a limited degree of fluency, using straightforward language. However, challenges in vocabulary, grammar, and the organization of thoughts are evident, impacting the overall clarity and flow of ideas.

Beginner

2: Restricted to simple written discourse on only familiar topics, relying heavily on basic vocabulary and incomplete sentence structures. Significant support is needed due to substantial difficulties with grammar, structure, and task comprehension.
1: Displays minimal proficiency in written communication, with substantial struggles in conveying even the most basic of information.

What are the key features of the WSE?

1. WSE Scores: In the WSE assessment report, each applicant’s WSE score is the average of the scores from the four sections outlined in the “WSE Assessment Standards.”
2. WSE Assessment Report: All applicants who participate in a Vericant interview receive a Vericant-issued WSE assessment report after the writing sample has been processed. The report includes the applicant’s WSE score and explanations for different scoring levels (i.e., Beginner, Intermediate, and Proficient levels). This score reflects the applicant’s composite score in four aspects of their writing ability. Applicants can see a detailed explanation of the level corresponding to their score, providing them with a clear judgment of their language proficiency level.
3. The basis for WSE evaluation is to see what applicants “can do.” Vericant scores correspond to three levels: Beginner level (1-2 points), Intermediate level (3 points), and Proficient level (4-6 points). For example, if an applicant’s WSE score is 3.8, it means that he or she possesses all the abilities described at the intermediate level.

Who rates the WSE?

The WSE scores are independently determined by at least two raters. These raters are native English speakers with a bachelor’s degree and teaching experience, all having undergone rigorous training. The final score for each applicant is calculated as the average of two separate scores derived from evaluating the applicant’s English proficiency as demonstrated on their Vericant writing sample.

What’s the rescoring policy for the WSE?

1. Applicants can request a score reassessment within one month from the date the interview results were sent.
2. The fee for applying for a rescoring is USD 160. Once Vericant confirms receipt of the payment proof sent by the student via email, the rescoring process will begin.
3. Vericant is required to complete the rescoring within 15 working days from the day the applicant’s request is made and after Vericant confirms receipt of the payment proof sent by the student.
4. If the rescoring results in a score change greater than 0.4 points (excluding 0.4) either higher or lower than the original score, Vericant will adjust the applicant’s original score to the newly assessed score and will formally notify both the applicant and the schools. In this case, the entire rescoring fee will be refunded.
5. If the score change is less than or equal to 0.4 points, the original score will remain unchanged, and the rescoring fee will not be refunded.
6. The score obtained after the rescoring and adjustment becomes the final score, regardless of whether it has increased or decreased from the original score. Applicants do not have the right to request another rescoring.

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The SEE Diagnostic is an add-on to the K-12 Vericant Pre-Interview and can be purchased anytime, before or after your K-12 Vericant Pre-Interview (VPI).

You can:

• Purchase SEED as an add-on when you purchase the Vericant Pre-Interview package
• Get SEED included when you purchase the Vericant Pre-Interview Plus or Premium package
• Purchase SEED as an upgrade anytime through your Vericant student dashboard

When will I receive my SEE Diagnostic?

The diagnostic will be delivered as a PDF file to your student dashboard 5 working days after your PSEE report is delivered. If the SEE Diagnostic is purchased after the PSEE report is delivered, the SEE Diagnostic will be delivered 5 working days after purchase date.

To receive your booklet faster, you can upgrade to fast delivery for both your PSEE score and your SEE Diagnostic. Learn more on Pricing.

Can I receive a printed copy of my SEE Diagnostic?

By default the SEE Diagonostic is delivered as an electronic PDF. If you would like it printed and shipped to you, please contact info@vericant.com after purchasing.

How do counselors, advisors and teachers use the SEE Diagnostic?

The SEE Diagnostic is a great way for you to help your students get the most from their K-12 Vericant Pre-Interview experience. It not only includes personalized feedback on their performance, but also has helpful tips for each of the five categories of the SEE rubric. If you are unsure of the meaning of any of the feedback please don’t hesitate to reach out to us by email at info@vericant.com.

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Vericant’s SEE is a holistic reflection of how language is used for the social purposes of real-life communication, rather than just the speaker’s technical mastery of grammar and vocabulary. SEE reflects a speaker’s ability to communicate accurately and appropriately in a conversational interview setting.

Do all Vericant Interviews include the SEE score?

For 2023 application season, only the K-12 Vericant Interview include the SEE score as part of the standard service.

Undergraduate and graduate institutions may request an SEE score for a specific interview via the School Portal.

Why was SEE developed?

Pencil and paper English proficiency exams measure reading, writing and listening abilities, but neglect the fourth and possibly the most important ability in a western classroom: speaking. To fill this gap, Vericant’s verified video interviews were developed to help admission officers better understand their applicant’s spoken English ability and non-cognitive skills. The only problem was evaluations were subjective and applicants received little feedback on their abilities.

With Vericant SEE, admission officers now have a standardized measurement of applicant’s spoken English abilities and applicants receive feedback on their spoken English ability.

What does the SEE score consider?

The Spoken English Evaluation (SEE) assesses candidates’ oral English skills in Vericant interviews, assigning scores from 0 to 6 (to one decimal place, e.g., 4.3, 2.2). It evaluates language proficiency and real-world communication capabilities. After completing the Vericant interview process, submitting the SEE score helps schools assess an applicant’s English oral communication skills. These materials allow admissions officers to quickly evaluate oral proficiency, helping to identify candidates who meet their admission criteria. For applicants, the SEE score acts as a clear indicator of their performance, highlighting their oral communication skills to various schools and programs.

What’s the SEE Assesment criteria?

The SEE score reflects the following five aspects of language usage, namely:

• Range (the ability to comprehend topics and use appropriate vocabulary to express nuanced meanings)
• Accuracy (the ability to form sentences using standard grammatical rules and vocabulary)
• Fluency (the ability to express oneself fluently, including rhythm, pronunciation, and spoken fluency)
• Interaction (the level of participation and awareness while conversing in English)
• Coherence (ensuring the relevance, depth, and clarity of information conveyed in the conversation)

What are SEE score levels?

The SEE score is divided into six levels. For more questions about the SEE, email our customer service at info@vericant.com.

Proficient

6: Exhibits an ability to understand and articulate ideas at the level of a native speaker, consistently demonstrating a strong command over all aspects of speech.
5: Demonstrates the ability to express both complex and simple ideas with clarity and fluency, offering detailed explanations and viewpoints even in the face of minor limitations.
4: Engages in discussions on a broad range of topics with a solid degree of control, resulting in conversations that are pleasant to follow despite some noticeable but minor errors.

Intermediate

3: Capable of discussing relatively familiar topics using straightforward, continuous language, yet facing noticeable challenges in vocabulary usage, grammar control, and the articulation of ideas.

Beginner

2: Limited to basic interactions using familiar day-to-day vocabulary and sentence structures, necessitating considerable assistance and confined to responding to direct questions.
1: Shows minimal, if any, proficiency in verbal communication, struggling to convey basic messages.

What are the key features of the SEE Assesment?

SEE Scores: In the SEE assessment report, each applicant’s SEE score is the average of the scores from the five sections outlined in the “SEE Assessment Criteria.” SEE Assessment Reports: All applicants who participate in a Vericant interview receive a Vericant-issued SEE assessment report after the interview results have been processed. The report includes the applicant’s SEE score and explanations for different scoring levels (i.e., Beginner, Intermediate, and Proficient levels). This score reflects the applicant’s composite score in five aspects of language expression ability. Applicants can see a detailed explanation of the level corresponding to their score, providing them with a clear judgment of their language proficiency level. The basis for SEE evaluation is to see what applicants “can do.” Vericant scores correspond to three levels: Beginner level (1-2 points), Intermediate level (3 points), and Proficient level (4-6 points). For example, if an applicant’s SEE score is 4.8, it means that he or she possesses all the abilities described at the proficient level.

How is the SEE score rated?

The SEE scores are independently determined by at least two raters. These raters are native English speakers with a bachelor’s degree and teaching experience, all having undergone rigorous training. The final score for each applicant is calculated as the average of two separate scores derived from evaluating the applicant’s English proficiency as demonstrated in their Vericant interview video.

How does SEE compare to TOEFL or IELTS?

The SEE is developed from the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR), a globally recognized framework of references that serves as the basis of most language tests, including TOEFL and IELTS exams. Unlike TOEFL and IELTS, the SEE was not developed with the specific purposes of assessing the proficiency of academic English.

The SEE is an evaluation of spoken English communication expressed during Vericant’s behavioral interview setting.

How are raters trained?

Examiners undergo intensive SEE rubric training during which the scoring process is thoroughly reviewed and calibrated. Examiners are given periodic re-calibrations to the SEE rubric, and if they’re not able to score inline with our master rating, are excused from examining until they’ve passed retraining.

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