Notes

Step 1 - Check if ALL ratings of the responses are exactly same. then both responses are likely to be marked as the same
If that is not the case, then perform all the following checks in the given order -

Check 1 - Check if there's harmful content (content that can be misused), or if there's toxic language - That response cannot be better. To note: Sometimes canned responses are better than responses containing harmful content, even if they are less useful. If both have toxic responses, then they both are equally bad and the same. If no unsafe text is present, move to the next check.

Check 2 - Check if a certain response contains made-up information, misinformation, or factual inaccuracy, that response cannot be better. If both have equally severe errors, then they both are equally bad and the same. If both have unequal severe errors or no errors, move to the next check.

Check 3 - Check if the Instructions are completely followed or not, one which is incomplete cannot be a better response. For this aspect, look holistically at which response is better based on depth and completeness, do not focus on only superficial aspects or just the rubrics. Note: Do review the implicit instructions and comprehensiveness of the response to conclude if it is better or not.

Check 4 - If both responses do not look good based on Checks 1, 2, and 3, then rate as both the same and explain in the rationale.

Check 5 - If there's no harmful content, the factual information in both responses cannot be assessed or is correct, and both the responses are complete and similar in-depth, check out the Verbosity and Writing Quality. These dimensions can make one response “slightly better” or "better" than the other but usually do not have a larger difference/impact than that.