a method for scoring constructed responses is provided . the method includes : establishing a question that requires a constructed response ; determining at least one attribute parameter that defines the format of the constructed response ; binding at least one variable to the at least one attribute parameter ; defining at least one assertion rule , each setting forth a condition that the at least one variable will either satisfy or not satisfy ; and creating a scoring system that includes at least full scoring credit if all of the at least one assertion rule is satisfied and partial scoring credit if some but not all of the at least one assertion rule is met ; wherein when the question is presented and a constructed response received , the corresponding at least one variable is compared against the at least one assertion rule to identify which assertion rule is satisfied or not , and a score is provided based on the number and / or combination of satisfied at least one assertion rule .