Content
Should state the course applied for and give a reason why. Should explain educational qualifications and other useful information (such as personal achievements) that would support the application.

Range
Language suited to a letter of application: e.g. correct use of present perfect and past simple tenses for describing past experiences; correct use of future tenses for outlining future plans. Vocabulary related to studying (e.g. pass an exam, school leaving certificate, degree course, reference)

Organisation
Should have the layout of a formal letter, with appropriate beginning and ending (e.g. 'Dear Sir or Madam', 'Yours faithfully'). Should state the reason for writing in the first paragraph. The letter should ideally have no more than three main paragraphs.
N.B. In the exam there is no need to write addresses.

Register
Formal.

Target reader
The Admissions Officer would be persuaded that this was a suitable applicant for the course specified.

Language accuracy
Should not contain major errors that lead to misunderstanding or which irritate the reader.