The essay is graded in .5 increments, but yes, 44% got a 5.5 or 6. Still, a 5 is quite respectable--most schools are more concerned with your ability to write coherently than with your ability to write a perfect, flawless essay on the first go.

This is the rubric we use.

Score -- Percentile
6.0 87
5.5 80
5.0 55
4.5 42
4.0 21
3.5 13
3.0 6
2.5 4
2.0 3
1.5 3
1.0 3
0.5 3
0.0 0

So your numbers look about right. 45% of people score a 5.5 or a 6. Obviously it is not the strictest assessment, but one should prepare for it.

Hopefully helpful,
Josh

Score -- Percentile
6.0 87
5.5 80
5.0 55
4.5 42
4.0 21
3.5 13
3.0 6
2.5 4
2.0 3
1.5 3
1.0 3
0.5 3
0.0 0


I would interpret the table as follows.

55 % of candidates scored below 5.0 (and not 5.0) meaning 45 % candidate scored either 5,5.5 or 6.

80% of candidates scored below 5.5 (and not 5.5) meaning 20 % candidate scored either 5.5 or 6.

87% of candidates scored below 6.0 (and not 6.0) meaning 13 % candidate scored exactly 6.


reusing above data....
20-13= 7 % candidates scored exactly 5.5
45-20=25% candidates scored exactly 5.

Yes, you are absolutely correct. My mistake. Sorry for the oversight.