Section Guide
ASET Written Expression — Complete 2027 Guide
Writing is the only ASET section where students have full creative control — and the most commonly under-prepared. Understanding the 24-point rubric before writing a single practice response can add 4–6 marks immediately.
25 min
Time allowed
24 pts
Maximum score
4
Marked criteria
What the Writing Section Tests
The Written Expression section gives students one prompt and 25 minutes to produce a response. Two trained markers independently score it using the 24-point rubric. The combined score is standardised and added to the TSS.
Unlike the other three sections, writing is the only place where preparation produces qualitatively different responses — not just faster or more accurate ones. A student who understands the four criteria and plans deliberately will outperform a more naturally gifted writer who starts immediately without structure.
The 24-Point Rubric — Criterion by Criterion
These are the four criteria printed on the ASET writing paper itself, each out of 6. Many guides — including an earlier version of this one — teach a NAPLAN-style rubric with spelling and punctuation as criteria of their own. The ASET paper says it is not a test of handwriting, spelling or punctuation, so they only cost marks when they stop a reader following the piece.
Connection to the prompt /6
How the writing engages with the prompt. The prompt is a starting point, not a topic to summarise — an imaginative or sideways link is fine, and often stronger, as long as the link is really there on the page.
Low score (0–2)
The prompt is mentioned in the first line and then dropped, or a memorised story is bolted on regardless of what was asked. Writing with no connection to the prompt is not scored at all.
High score (5–6)
The piece takes what the prompt offers — its object, situation, idea or picture — and develops it. By the end, the writing is genuinely about that idea.
Strategy: Before you plan, finish this sentence: "The prompt gives me ___, and my piece uses it by ___." If you cannot fill both blanks, choose a different idea.
Quality and originality of ideas /6
Fresh thinking: insight, specific detail, and a willingness to go beyond the obvious response. Markers credit the student’s own thinking — not a formula, and not sentences lifted from the prompt.
Low score (0–2)
The first idea anyone would have, told in general terms. The piece reads like a formula response.
High score (5–6)
A surprising angle or insight, vivid specific detail, a clear individual perspective. The reader wants to know what happens next or what the writer thinks.
Strategy: Write three quick ideas before choosing one. "A student wins a prize" is everyone’s first idea. "A student wins a prize they do not deserve and must decide what to do" is a third idea — and it creates tension straight away.
Style choices /6
The choices the writer makes — form, structure, voice, imagery, word choice — and how well those choices express the ideas. ASET tells students "You can write in any style", so choosing the form is part of what is marked. Organisation and vocabulary both live here.
Low score (0–2)
Vague, predictable words ("nice", "good", "went"). Every sentence the same shape. No clear opening, and an ending that is rushed or missing because time ran out.
High score (5–6)
A form chosen because it suits the idea. Precise verbs and nouns, deliberate imagery, sentences of different lengths. An ending that feels planned — often reaching back to the opening.
Strategy: Plan your ending before you write your opening, and write down three strong words you mean to use. Knowing where you are going makes the structure almost write itself.
Clarity of communication /6
How clearly and effectively the writing lands for a reader. Spelling and punctuation are not marked on their own — ASET says the paper is "not a test of your handwriting, spelling or punctuation" — but errors that stop a reader following the piece cost marks here.
Low score (0–2)
The reader loses track: who is speaking, what just happened, why this paragraph is here. Sentences run into each other.
High score (5–6)
The reader follows every step without rereading. Each paragraph does one job, and the piece says exactly what the writer meant.
Strategy: Keep two minutes at the end to reread as a stranger would. Fix anything you would have to explain out loud — that matters far more than hunting for spelling slips.
The 10-Minute Planning Method
Students who spend 8–10 minutes planning and 15 minutes writing consistently outscore students who start writing immediately. Planning eliminates the two biggest structural errors: weak openings and abrupt endings.
0–1 min
Read and decode the prompt
Read the prompt twice. What does it hand you — an object, a situation, an idea, a picture? Underline it. Then decide which form will serve your idea best: a story, an argument, a description. ASET lets you write in any style, so the form is your choice.
1–3 min
Generate ideas — quantity first
Write 3–5 quick ideas without judging them. The first idea is usually the most predictable. The third or fourth is often the best. Do not start writing until you have chosen your angle.
3–6 min
Plan the structure
Sketch: Opening (hook) → 2–3 body paragraphs (what each one does) → Ending (how it resolves or lands). For persuasive: Claim → 2 arguments + evidence → Counter + rebuttal → Strong conclusion.
6–8 min
Choose vocabulary
Write down 3 strong verbs, 2 precise adjectives, and 1 figurative device you will use. This takes 90 seconds and means your style choices are not left to chance.
8–10 min
Write your opening sentence
Before writing the full piece, write and re-write the opening sentence until it is strong. A great first sentence makes the rest of the piece easier to write and impresses markers immediately.
Prompt Types & How to Approach Each
Narrative Most common
"Write a story about a discovery that changes everything."
"Write about a time you had to make a difficult choice."
"Continue this story: The door opened onto something no one expected..."
Focus on a single event with a clear beginning, turning point, and resolution. Do not try to cover too much time. A 15-minute narrative set in one scene is more effective than a years-long epic.
Persuasive Common
"Should schools ban mobile phones?"
"Write a speech convincing your class to take action on climate change."
"Argue for or against: homework should be abolished."
Take a clear, specific position in your first paragraph — do not sit on the fence. Use evidence (statistics, examples, expert opinion) to support each argument. Address the counterargument briefly and dismiss it.
Imaginative / Hybrid Occasional
"Imagine you can visit any time in history. Write about your experience."
"You are the last person on Earth. Describe your day."
"Write from the perspective of an object in your classroom."
These prompts reward originality most heavily. The unusual angle scores better than the obvious one. Ground your imaginative piece with specific sensory detail — it makes even far-fetched scenarios feel real and convincing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How is writing marked in the ASET?
- The ASET writing paper tells students their writing will be judged on four things: the connection to the prompt, the quality and originality of their ideas, the style choices they make and how they express their ideas, and how clearly and effectively they communicate. We mark each out of 6, for 24 in total. Two trained markers independently score each paper, and the scores are combined for the final Writing TSS section score. The paper also says it is "not a test of your handwriting, spelling or punctuation" — many guides still teach a NAPLAN-style rubric with spelling and punctuation as separate criteria, but that is not what ASET asks for.
- What score out of 24 is considered good for WA GATE?
- A score of 18–20 out of 24 is competitive for most GATE programs. A score of 21–24 is exceptional and correlates strongly with Perth Modern School-level TSS totals. Most students without targeted preparation score 12–15. A well-planned response typically adds 3–5 marks over an unprepared one.
- How long should the ASET writing response be?
- There is no prescribed length, but markers note that stronger responses tend to be 3–5 well-developed paragraphs (approximately 300–450 words). A short, polished response scores better than a long, poorly organised one. Quality over quantity is the right mindset.
- What type of writing prompt appears in ASET?
- The paper tells students "You can write in any style", so the prompt does not fix the form — a picture or an idea can be answered with a story, an argument or a description. In practice most students write narrative or persuasive pieces. Students should practise all three but prioritise narrative — it is the most open-ended, which plays to individual strengths.
- Does the ASET writing section give you planning time?
- Yes. The Writing section is 25 minutes in total, with a recommended planning time of approximately 10 minutes (some sources cite 5 minutes). Using the planning time strategically — rather than starting to write immediately — consistently produces higher-scoring responses. The writing time is approximately 15 minutes.
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Practice Resources
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The most common reasons writing is marked zero — and how to prevent them
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