What role do rubrics play in scoring candidates on written assessments?

Rubrics are designed to create a systematic approach to evaluating written assessments, which is essential for ensuring fairness and consistency in the scoring process. They outline specific criteria and performance levels, which gives evaluators clear guidelines on what constitutes different levels of achievement. This structured framework helps mitigate bias, as all candidates are assessed according to the same standards.

By establishing clear expectations for responses, rubrics also support transparency in the evaluation process, allowing candidates to understand what is expected of them and how their work will be judged. Overall, using rubrics enhances the reliability and validity of assessments, making the scoring process not only fairer but also more objective and defensible.