Can AI Assess Writing Skills Like a Human? A Reliability Analysis

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Can AI Assess Writing Skills Like a Human? A Reliability Analysis
Language: English
Authors: Hüseyin Ataseven (ORCID 0000-0001-9992-4518), Ömay Çokluk-Bökeoglu (ORCID 0000-0002-3879-9204), Fazilet Tasdemir (ORCID 0000-0002-0430-9094)
Source: Journal of Theoretical Educational Science. 2025 18(4):736-754.
Availability: Afyon Kocatepe University. ANS Kampusu, Egitim Fakultesi, Merkez, Afyonkarahisar 03200, Turkey. Tel: +90-272-2181740; Fax: +90-272-2281418; e-mail: editorkebd@gmail.com; Web site: https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/akukeg
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 19
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Artificial Intelligence, Technology Uses in Education, Writing Skills, Student Evaluation, Scoring, English (Second Language), Interrater Reliability, College Students, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Turkey
ISSN: 1308-1659
Abstract: This study investigates the reliability and consistency of a custom GPT-based scoring system in comparison to trained human raters, focusing on B1-level opinion paragraphs written by English preparatory students. Addressing the limited evidence on how AI scoring systems align with human evaluations in foreign language contexts, the study provides insights into both strengths and limitations of automated writing assessment. A total of 175 student writings were evaluated twice by human raters and twice by the AI system using analytic rubric. Findings indicate excellent agreement among human raters and high consistency across AI-generated scores, but only moderate alignment between human and AI evaluations, with the AI showing a tendency to assign higher scores and overlook off-topic content. These results suggest that while AI scoring systems offer efficiency and consistency, they still lack the interpretive depth of human judgment. The study highlights the potential of AI as a complementary tool in writing assessment, with practical implications for language testing policy and classroom pedagogy.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1487685
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This study investigates the reliability and consistency of a custom GPT-based scoring system in comparison to trained human raters, focusing on B1-level opinion paragraphs written by English preparatory students. Addressing the limited evidence on how AI scoring systems align with human evaluations in foreign language contexts, the study provides insights into both strengths and limitations of automated writing assessment. A total of 175 student writings were evaluated twice by human raters and twice by the AI system using analytic rubric. Findings indicate excellent agreement among human raters and high consistency across AI-generated scores, but only moderate alignment between human and AI evaluations, with the AI showing a tendency to assign higher scores and overlook off-topic content. These results suggest that while AI scoring systems offer efficiency and consistency, they still lack the interpretive depth of human judgment. The study highlights the potential of AI as a complementary tool in writing assessment, with practical implications for language testing policy and classroom pedagogy.
ISSN:1308-1659