Where pupils have sat the S3 SNSA Writing Assessment, the following bands show the overall capacity demonstrated:

Band 12 and Above

Learners in this band are typically able to spell relatively unfamiliar words of up to six syllables with multiple combined vowels (iai, au, ou, oi, ea, io, ua) and/or silent letters. They correctly apply a wide range of grammatical conventions, and can select the appropriate punctuation, including colons and semi-colons, for a range of complex sentences.

Band 11

Learners in this band are typically able to spell less common words with several challenging features, such as middle consonants (c, l) that could be double or single. They demonstrate accuracy in their usage of clauses and conjunctions. They can correctly use singular and plural possessive apostrophes and can select the correct punctuation to break up a sentence.

Band 10

Learners in this band are typically able to spell common words with a challenging spelling feature, such as several combined vowels or less familiar endings (ce, sque). They can identify the correct conjunction to use in complex sentences and can identify redundant words in simple sentences. They are able to identify the appropriate placement of commas to separate short clauses.

Band 9

Learners in this band are typically able to spell common words where a letter sound is pronounced differently to the spelling, and commonly spoken words where one syllable has a homonym. They use a range of verb forms, including the correct use of conditional forms in complex sentences. They can punctuate direct speech in a simple sentence and can correctly use parentheses.

Band 8

Learners in this band are typically able to spell common words of up to four syllables, and some less common, short words where there is a single middle consonant that could be double (r, l). They use a range of verb forms and correctly use prefixes and suffixes to form words. They identify the appropriate placement of commas in complex sentences.

Band 7 and Below

Learners in this band are typically able to spell words with a range of consonant blends and digraphs (ie, gh) and common endings (ate, tion). They recognise the correct adverbs, pronouns and verb forms to use in simple sentences. They understand the purpose of a comma and can identify the correct use of an apostrophe in a contraction.

 

Where pupils have sat the P7 SNSA Writing Assessment, the following bands show the overall capacity demonstrated:

Band 11 and Above

Learners in this band are typically able to spell less common words with up to two challenging features, such as middle consonants that could be double or single, middle letters of sc, or words ending in se. They demonstrate technical accuracy in their use of indefinite pronouns and conjunctions in sentences. They can identify the correct punctuation for possessive pronouns.

Band 10

Learners in this band are typically able to spell common words with a challenging spelling feature, such as tricky vowel combinations or a silent letter. They can use a range of prepositions and verb forms in complex sentences and can apply a range of prefixes appropriately. They can recognise where parentheses or commas should be used to separate short clauses or phrases.

Band 9

Learners in this band are typically able to spell common words where a middle consonant could be double or single, or words with less familiar middle digraphs (sh, mb). They can use a range of appropriate verb forms, including the correct use of conditional forms in sentences with some structural complexity. They can identify a missing possessive apostrophe in a complex sentence.

Band 8

Learners in this band are typically able to spell common words of up to four syllables, and some less common, short words where j and g can be confused. They can identify the correct conjunction to use to link clauses in complex sentences, and identify a redundant word in a simple sentence. They identify the appropriate placement of commas in complex sentences.

Band 7

Learners in this band are typically able to spell common words of up to three syllables with a range of consonant blends, or with potentially ambiguous endings (c not ck). They recognise the correct articles and verb forms to use in simple sentences, and can link sentences using simple conjunctions. They can identify when a possessive apostrophe is needed after a name.

Band 6 and Below

Learners in this band are typically able to spell words where the o sounds like a u, and familiar words with one pair of common combined vowels (ui, ie). They can identify the correct preposition to use, and can select the basic verb form to correctly complete a sentence. They identify that a question mark is needed after a question.