Academic Discussion — scored sample answer
Taking a Gap Year Before College
4.0/5 on the ETS 0-5 rater rubric
The response effectively argues in favor of taking a gap year, providing relevant examples and a clear structure. However, it lacks deeper engagement with classmates' ideas and contains minor grammatical issues, which prevents it from achieving a higher score.
Reach120 practice band estimate — not an official ETS score How we estimate
24 / 30
legacy comparison · pre-2026 scale
Content
4/5Breakdown
Working well
- Relevant Example — “For example, some students may work, travel, or volunteer, which helps them develop important skills such as independence and responsibility.”
- Addressing Counterarguments — “Although there is a risk of falling behind, students who plan their gap year carefully can avoid this issue.”
To improve
- Lack of Specificity Try: Conclude with a more specific statement about how the benefits of a gap year can manifest in students' academic or personal lives.
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