GRE Analytical Writing Section: What to Expect in the Test?
The GRE Analytical Writing Section is the first part of the test that candidates encounter. Previously, this section included two tasks: Analyze an Issue and Analyze an Argument. However, as of September 22, 2023, it has been revised to include only one task, Analyze an Issue. To excel in this section, test takers must showcase their critical thinking, logical reasoning, and writing proficiency. This blog offers a detailed overview of the GRE Analytical Writing section, covering its structure, prompts, scoring method, and preparation strategies.
- What is the GRE Analytical Writing Section?
- Importance of Analytical Writing Section in the GRE
- GRE Analytical Writing Pattern & Format
- What is the ‘Analyse an Issue’ Task in the AW Section of the GRE Test?
- Sample GRE Analytical Writing ‘Analyse an Issue’ Topics
- What to do After Getting the ‘Analyse an Issue’ Topic?
- How Should Test Takers Plan Their Response?
- What are the Successful Responses?
- GRE Analytical Writing Measure Scoring
- Key Takeaways by AdmitX
- FAQs
What is the GRE Analytical Writing Section?
The Analytical Writing component initiates the GRE exam and requires examinees to compose a short-to-medium-length essay based on a given prompt. This section assesses one’s ability to think critically and communicate ideas clearly and logically. It focuses on articulating complex thoughts, building arguments, and presenting a coherent discussion. No prior subject expertise is necessary, as topics can span various fields.
Importance of Analytical Writing Section in the GRE
- Although the total GRE score does not include the Analytical Writing score, it is still reported individually alongside the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning scores. While some may perceive it as less significant, the GRE Analytical Writing section plays a vital role—especially for students pursuing research-heavy or writing-intensive programs where scholarly writing, such as theses and papers, is a key component.
- Achieving a high score in this section can also strengthen applications, increase eligibility for scholarships or assistantships, and demonstrate solid writing skills required for both academic and professional success.
GRE Analytical Writing Pattern & Format
In the GRE General Test, the Analytical Writing section contains only one task, the Analyze an Issue essay. Examinees are allotted 30 minutes to complete it.
This task requires them to articulate their stance and follow the given instructions. Essay prompts can cover diverse topics from humanities and science to social studies and the arts. The purpose of this task is to evaluate how well test takers can express their thoughts in a convincing and structured manner.
What is the ‘Analyse an Issue’ Task in the AW Section of the GRE Test?
- In this task, test takers are presented with a topic of general relevance and are expected to communicate their opinions with clarity.Â
- The topic usually includes a claim that can be interpreted and debated from multiple angles.
- The objective is to take a clear stance, support it with strong reasoning, and offer specific examples.
- Before composing their essays, examinees should take time to reflect on the issue critically and construct their arguments logically.
Sample GRE Analytical Writing ‘Analyse an Issue’ Topics
Below, we have provided some of the sample ‘analyse an issue’ topics for the GRE test takers.
- Teachers’ salaries should be based on their students’ academic performance.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.
- Society should make efforts to save endangered species only if the potential extinction of those species is the result of human activities.
Write a response in which you discuss your views on the policy and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider the possible consequences of implementing the policy and explain how these consequences shape your position.
- College students should base their choice of a field of study on the availability of jobs in that field.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.
- Governments should offer college and university education free of charge to all students.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the recommendation and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, describe specific circumstances in which adopting the recommendation would or would not be advantageous and explain how these examples shape your position.
- Governments should place few, if any, restrictions on scientific research and development.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the recommendation and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, describe specific circumstances in which adopting the recommendation would or would not be advantageous and explain how these examples shape your position.
What to do After Getting the ‘Analyse an Issue’ Topic?
Each issue topic is accompanied by a claim or statement and specific instructions for how the response should be written. These instructions can vary, such as:
- Agreeing or disagreeing with a statement
- Agreeing or disagreeing with a recommendation
- Taking a position and supporting it
- Discussing a point of view that best aligns with your own
- Expressing views on a policy
It’s important to carefully follow the task instructions while addressing the central idea. After reviewing the topic and directions, test takers should recognize the writing context, which includes both purpose and audience.
- The purpose is to assess how effectively the test taker can develop arguments and defend a position.The audience consists of GRE raters who evaluate writing skill—not correctness of the argument, but how well it is structured and articulated.
How Should Test Takers Plan Their Response?
After understanding the task instructions, purpose, and audience of the topic, test takers can follow the steps below to plan their response.
- Carefully read the statement, claim, or recommendation.
- Reflect on personal experiences, news, literature, or general observations related to the topic.
- Decide on a position to take.
- Identify relevant examples, logical arguments, and supporting evidence.
What are the Successful Responses?
- It should be noted that there is no right or wrong answer.
- The issue task is meant to evaluate persuasive writing skills.
- The most successful responses are those that dive deeper into the complexities of the claim, follow the specific task instructions, and effectively communicate the arguments.
- Below, we have provided a table outlining the score points and the corresponding response types, ranging from weak to outstanding.
| Score | Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Off-topic | No evidence of an attempt to address the assigned topic |
| 1 | Fundamentally Deficient | Fundamental deficiencies in analytical writing- irrelevant evidence, poor organisation, lack of clear analysis |
| 2 | Seriously Flawed | Demonstrate serious weaknesses in analytical writing |
| 3 | Limited | Some competence in addressing the specific task directions |
| 4 | Adequate | Conveys meaning with acceptable clarity |
| 5 | Strong | Generally thoughtful, well-developed analysis |
| 6 | Outstanding | Well-articulated analysis of the issue |
GRE Analytical Writing Measure Scoring
- The reported GRE AW score ranges from 0-6 in half-point increments.
- For each score level, the overall quality of analytical writing was demonstrated.
- Below, we have tabulated the score ranges in half-point increments, along with their corresponding interpretation.
| Score | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 0 | Analytical writing skills cannot be evaluated because the response does not address any part of the task |
| 1 and 0.5 | The writing is flawed; the content is confusing or irrelevant to the assigned task |
| 2 and 1.5 | Serious lack of analysis, development, and organisation |
| 3 and 2.5 | Limited analysis and development in the writing, along with poor organisation and sentence structure |
| 4 and 3.5 | Competent analysis of ideas in addressing specific task directions. Acceptable clarity |
| 5 and 4.5 | Thoughtful analysis of complex ideas develops and supports main points with logical reasons |
| 6 and 5.5 | In-depth analysis of complex ideas develops and supports main points with logically compelling reasons |
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
The GRE Analytical Writing section evaluates how well test takers can build and express their stance on a particular topic. In the analyze an issue task, test takers are required to provide persuasive, reason-backed opinions in favor of or against the given statement. It’s essential to support arguments with examples and demonstrate critical reasoning abilities. There’s no need to have expert knowledge in a specific domain to perform well in this section.
FAQs
How to write GRE analytical writing essays?
Start by understanding the purpose and audience of the task by carefully reading the instructions. Then, develop a viewpoint, gather real-life examples, and support your opinion with clear reasoning.
Is the analytical writing section important in the GRE?
Yes. Though it doesn’t affect the overall GRE score, many universities take the GRE Analytical Writing score into consideration—especially for research-heavy programs or when awarding scholarships and assistantships.
What is the word limit of the GRE analytical writing essay?
There’s no fixed word limit, but it’s recommended to write between 500–700 words.
What is a good GRE analytical writing score?
A score between 4.5 and 6 is generally considered strong and reflects the test taker’s ability to develop clear, logical, and well-supported arguments.
What is the time duration of the analytical writing section in the GRE?
The ‘analyse an issue’ task must be completed in 30 minutes.
