Time:
Format:
Topics Tested:
Question Types:
A total of 75 minutes
One 45-minute essay
One 30-minute essay
Grammar
Writing Ability
Persuasive Argument
Analysis of an Issue
Analysis of an Argument
The goal of the GRE's Analytical Writing Section is to gauge
how well you can provide cogent written responses to complex
ideas and issues. It tests the kind of high-level thinking and
writing skills that are generally viewed as essential for success
in most graduate school programs.
Structure
The Analytical Writing Section consists of two analytical
writing tasks.
1. A 45-minute "Present Your Perspective on an Issue" task.
The "issue" task states an opinion on an issue of broad interest
and asks test takers to address the issue from any
perspective.
2. A 30-minute "Analyze an Argument" task. The "argument" task
requires test takers to critique an argument by discussing how
well reasoned they find it.
Each essay in the AWM will be scored from 0-6, though students
will only receive a single score for both essays; individual
essay scores will not be reported.
