NSW Selective writing guide
How NSW Selective writing is marked
Coach Pen marks your child's writing against the selective rubric, then drills the exact skills holding the score back — one technique at a time.
- Marked
- Out of 25, six bands
- Two sets
- Set A (15) · Set B (10)
- Goal
- Band 6
What the markers look for
NSW Selective writing is judged on 5 things. Here's what each one is really asking for — and how Coach Pen trains it.
Content & ideas
A focused, developed response to the prompt.
In Coach Pen: when this criterion is holding your band back, it links straight to short, stepped lessons that drill exactly this — on your own writing.
Form & organisation
Clear structure with strong openings and endings.
In Coach Pen: when this criterion is holding your band back, it links straight to short, stepped lessons that drill exactly this — on your own writing.
Style & vocabulary
Precise, ambitious word choice and a real voice.
In Coach Pen: when this criterion is holding your band back, it links straight to short, stepped lessons that drill exactly this — on your own writing.
Sentences
Varied, controlled sentence structure.
In Coach Pen: when this criterion is holding your band back, it links straight to short, stepped lessons that drill exactly this — on your own writing.
Punctuation & spelling
Accurate conventions under time pressure.
In Coach Pen: when this criterion is holding your band back, it links straight to short, stepped lessons that drill exactly this — on your own writing.
The fastest way to use this guide
Start with the free check: paste a NSW Selective response and see its sentence rhythm, repeated words and filler, with no account. When you want the full mark, sign up free and Coach Pen marks it against each criterion above, then sets a drill for the weakest one.
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