The Effect of Raters' Background and Training on the Reliability of Direct Writing Tests

THROUGHOUT SCHOOL, STUDENTS ARE continually assessed on their ability to express themselves in writing.' This claim is no less true when working with a foreign language. Assessments often influence decisions made by institutions of higher education since the admission requirements of many universities include also a score in writing. Major examinations such as the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) now require foreign students to demonstrate their writing proficiency in the second language (9).