BMAT Section Guide 2024

BMAT Section 3 marking criteria

BMAT Essay Marking quality of content

Has the candidate addressed the question in the way demanded?

Have they organised their thoughts?

Have they used their general knowledge and opinions appropriately?

Scores are awarded on a scale from 1 to 5.

Score 1

An answer that has some bearing on the question but which does not address the question in the way demanded is incoherent or unfocused.

Score 2

An answer that addresses most of the components of the question and is arranged in a reasonably logical way. There may be significant elements of confusion in the argument. The candidate may misconstrue certain important aspects of the main proposition or its implication or may provide an unconvincing or weak counter proposition.

Score 3

A reasonably well-argued answer that addresses ALL aspects of the question, making reasonable use of the material provided and generating a reasonable counterproposition or argument. The argument is relatively rational. There may be some weakness in the force of the argument or the coherence of the ideas, or some aspect of the argument may have been overlooked.

Score 4

A good answer with few weaknesses. ALL aspects of the question are addressed, making good use of the material and generating a good counter proposition or argument. The argument is rational. Ideas are expressed and arranged coherently, with a balanced consideration of the proposition and counter proposition.

Score 5

An excellent answer with no significant weaknesses. ALL aspects of the question are addressed, making excellent use of the material and generating an excellent counter proposition or argument. The argument is cogent. Ideas are expressed clearly and logically, considering a breadth of relevant points and leading to a compelling synthesis or conclusion. An answer judged to be irrelevant, trivial, unintelligible or missing should be given a score of 0.

BMAT Essay Marking Criteria - the quality of English

In arriving at your score, you should consider: Have they expressed themselves using concise, compelling and correct English? Scores are awarded on a scale from A to E.

Band A - Good use of English.

• fluent

• good sentence structure

• good use of vocabulary

• sound use of grammar

• good spelling and punctuation

• few slips or errors

Band C - Reasonably clear use of English. There may be some weakness in the effectiveness of the English. reasonably fluent/not difficult to read

• simple/unambiguous sentence structure

• fair range and appropriate use of vocabulary

• acceptable grammar

• reasonable spelling and punctuation

• some slips/errors

Band E - Rather weak use of English.

• hesitant fluency/not easy to follow at times

• some flawed sentence structure/paragraphing

• limited range of vocabulary

• faulty grammar

• regular spelling/punctuation errors

• regular and frequent slips or errors

Where candidates have crossed out sections or added information, the essay should be judged on the quality of the resulting use of English (i.e. crossed-out text ignored, and inserted text read as if it were originally in place). An essay that is judged to be below the level of an E will receive an X.