ABLE-B2 Scoring and Results

Explanation of Scoring

The four sections of the Hellenic American University Assessment Board for Language Examinations: Level B2 (ABLE B2) examination are scored using an advanced mathematical model (IRT). For each section of the examination, raw scores are converted into scaled scores ranging from 0 to 100.

Scaled scores allow each administration of the examination to be equated, ensuring that the ability required to pass or to achieve a high score remains the same from one administration to the next.

The Listening Section & the Reading & Use of Language (RUL) Section

For the Listening and RUL Sections, scaled scores are a product of the ability of each candidate and the difficulty of each item in these sections.

To pass the Listening or RUL Section, candidates must have a scaled score of at least 55 out of 100 for that section.

Writing Section

The Writing Section is scored out of a total of 15 marks. There are three criteria: Task Completion, Organization, and Linguistic Resources. Each criterion provides between one and five marks. Candidates who receive a total of eight or more marks are awarded a Pass for this section of the test.

For the Writing Section, the difficulty of the task as well as the leniency and/or severity of the raters have been incorporated in the scaled scores. To pass the Writing section of the ABLE B2 examination, candidates must have a scaled score of at least 55 out of 100 for that section.

Speaking Section

The Speaking Section is scored out of a total of 15 marks. There are three criteria: Task Completion, Fluency and Interaction, and Linguistic Resources. Each criterion provides between one and five marks. Candidates who receive a total of eight or more marks are awarded a Pass for this section of the test.

For the Speaking Section, the difficulty of the task as well as the leniency and/or severity of the raters have been incorporated in the scaled scores. To pass the Speaking section of the ABLE B2 examination, candidates must have a scaled score of at least 55 out of 100 for that section.

Cut scores

The cut scores for each section of the ABLE B2 examination have been determined through standard setting procedures, as laid out in the Council of Europe manual: ‘Relating Language Examinations to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR): A Manual’ (2009).

Applying a mixed standard setting strategy, candidates who achieve an averaged total scaled score of at least 55 out of a possible 100 are awarded an ABLE B2 Certificate.

The ABLE B2 Certificate is valid for the holder’s lifetime, with the proviso for test users that a candidate’s language ability may improve or deteriorate in relation to his or her contact with the language.

SECTION SCALED SCORES

The table below shows the minimum-scaled pass scores candidates need to pass each section of the ABLE B2 examination and the minimum average total scaled score candidates need to receive a certificate.

Section	Minimum scaled pass score for section (out of 100)
Listening	55
RUL	55
Writing	55
Speaking	55
Total Average Scaled Score	55

Candidates who achieve an averaged total scaled score of at least 55 out of a possible 100 are awarded an ABLE B2 Certificate, regardless of how many sections they have failed. All candidates have the right to have any section of their examination re-scored.