Welcome to the Aquinas Writing Advantage
Writing Assessment and Placement Test
Is your middle school student progressing in writing?
Is your high-schooler ready for college writing?
What skills are needed before leaving high school?
Remove the guesswork. Know for sure your student is on the right track with our customized writing assessment.
What Is the Writing Assessment?
Any middle or high school student can take an assessment and get results in a report, with high-level feedback from a professional and recommendations for further study.
Who is the assessment for?
Middle or high school students. Read below for specifics on each assessment.
Middle School Assessments
- For students in 6th through 8th grade.
- Includes feedback from a professional writing instructor and course placement recommendations.
See details about the test format here.
High School Assessments
- The formal high school assessment is for high school students and is recommended for students in the 10th through 12th grades because it measures a student’s college readiness.
- The AWA Full Writing Assessment includes the multiple-choice test, essay, questionnaire, and in-depth 20-page report with specific, detailed feedback outlining strengths, weaknesses, and exactly what to cover to complete writing well before entering college. See below for specific details on each part of the assessment.
- The Punctuation and Grammar Test includes a report and feedback. See more details about the test format here.
Middle School Assessment Coordinator
Bonnie Donlon
Contact Mrs. Donlon at [email protected] for more information.
High School Assessment Coordinator
Sara Keefe, MA
Contact Mrs. Keefe at [email protected] for more information.
AWA Middle School Writing Assessment
with feedback and course placement recommendations:
$32
The Punctuation and Grammar Test for High School
with a report and feedback:
$28
AWA Full High School Writing Assessment —
multiple-choice test, essay, questionnaire, and report with feedback:
$64
What’s the Format of the High School Assessment?
There are three parts to this assessment: a multiple-choice test, writing a short essay, and answering questions in a handwritten questionnaire. Once completed, the Assessment Coordinator scores your work and contacts you with specific, clear feedback and results. The Assessment measures the critical writing skills needed to enter college — including a specific level of punctuation and grammar, paragraph form, vocabulary usage, and clear linear writing abilities.
Part 1: A MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST
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- A multiple-choice test is embedded into the online system.
- Your student clicks on the clearly marked link and takes the test online.
- Each question provides five possible answers. Your student identifies correct and incorrect punctuation and grammar and answers questions regarding correct writing in paragraph and essay form.
- Your student chooses the best answer and moves to the next question until all 40 questions are completed.
- When complete, the test is automatically scored, and explanations are provided. * Within two weeks, the Assessment Coordinator sends you a report with areas of competence and areas that need practice to master specific skills.
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Part 2: A PERSONAL ESSAY
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- After taking the multiple-choice test, your student writes an essay using the guidelines listed.
- The student uploads his or her essay into the Caravel Learning Management System (LMS) for grading and feedback.
- Grading is measured by the Advanced Placement type scoring system of 1 to 5, a 1 being low and a 5 being high, with a grade of 4 as passing (for this assessment).
- Within two weeks, the Assessment Coordinator sends you a report with areas of competence and areas that need practice to master specific skills.
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Part 3: A QUESTIONNAIRE
- Your student fills out the Questionnaire provided.
- The questionnaire is designed to find out more about your student’s experiences with writing; it is also a tool to assess his or her writing skills by the questions’ answers.
- The information in the Questionnaire is used within the Assessment Coordinator’s report.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This test uses the American English rules for punctuation and grammar, including comma usage. The test also follows the most recent guidelines for punctuation and grammar for the following academic style guides: Chicago Manual of Style, American Psychological Association (APA), and Modern Language Association (MLA). If you reside outside of the United States, please note that your use of commas and placement may be different from American English.
What are people saying about the Assessment?
Here are a few words from parents like you…
“Thank you for the very thorough assessment result for [my student]. We are enrolled in Recorded Courses and will do as much as we can with the suggested course of study. I wish we had known of Homeschool Connections sooner!” ~ Nancy M., parent
“Thank you so much for your detailed input. This is so very helpful to us as we continue on our journey. The assessment you provided is thorough and professional, done with excellence.” ~ Jennifer G., parent
“I just wanted to say thank you for such a detailed report, and for taking the time to discuss a plan for my son.” ~ Paula S., parent
“I appreciate your feedback on the assessment. It affirmed the direction I planned for this year’s English credit.” ~ Amy P., parent
“Thank you for the thorough writing evaluation report!” ~ Vicki C., parent
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the question below to view the answer.
How long will the tests take?
The time that the test takes depends on your student. There is no time limit for the multiple-choice High School Punctuation and Grammar Test. Regarding the Middle School and High School Writing Assessments, it is highly suggested to upload all documents into Caravel within TWO WEEKS of signing up for the service.
Who grades the test?
The Punctuation & Grammar Test is automatically graded within the Caravel system; the Middle School and High School Assessments are graded by the Assessment Coordinators—professional writing teachers.
What is a “passing score” for the Punctuation & Grammar Test?
If using this assessment to test out of AWA’s prerequisite writing courses, students must obtain a score of 90% to “pass.” Students who do not obtain 90% must take the prerequisite courses in recordings (through Unlimited Access) or “live.” For information on Unlimited Access, click here.
Who grades the essay portion of the test?
The Assessment Coordinators for the Aquinas Writing Advantage program will assess your student’s work and prepare a detailed Final Report for you regarding your student’s current writing skills and a plan to prepare for future courses and gain exceptional skills in writing.
How is the information on the questionnaire used?
The Assessment Coordinators will use the information, in combination with the other parts of the test, to help suggest your student’s future course of learning for writing. Recommendations will be sent to you in a final report within two weeks of obtaining your information.
If I use the assessment to test out of Homeschool Connections’ high school writing classes, what determines a “passing score”?
To test out of Punctuation and Grammar and Simplified Writing prerequisite courses, the student must obtain a score of 90% on the quiz. To test out of the Rhetoric and Writing course, the student must obtain a “clean essay” comparable to a score of 4 on the AP English Language and Composition courses.
Is there anything else to do after the test is completed?
YES! When all assessment sections are completed, including the test, essay, and questionnaire, you will email the Assessment Coordinator to receive your final report.
After finishing the assessment, I’ll get a report. What will the report look like?
You will receive a Final Report in paragraph form, noting scores in the quiz and comments on the essay. Strengths and weaknesses will be noted, and suggestions for improvement will also be added.
Beyond using it for HSC class placement, what can I do with this assessment?
This assessment can be used as a supporting document for enrollment in outside courses in writing, as requested by potential schools. A suggested scope and sequence of courses will also be provided to the student. (A scope and sequence is a plan of what and when to take courses.) Families are not required to take the courses with Homeschool Connections (you can take courses elsewhere), but if you choose to follow the Aquinas Writing Advantage program and sign up for courses, we will continue to provide support for your student through LIVE and recorded classes (Instructor Access).
I’m ready to sign up—what do I do?
Click on the buttons above to sign up today! Follow the instructions on the webpage to get started.
Do you have more questions?
If you have any other questions, please get in touch with AWA’s Senior Director, Aubrey Heki, at [email protected]. Please put AWA Writing Assessment in the subject line.
We are happy to help!