GRE Analytical Writing Tasks

Both analytical writing sections are scored out of 6 points with 0.5 point increments. Essay scores are based on the test-taker's ability to logically assemble evidence to back up their position as well as their control of grammar and similar writing mechanics such as spelling. The lowest score an essay completed in comprehensible English can receive is a 0.5.

GRE Analytical Writing Scoring

The first section to appear on the GRE. This section tests the test-taker's ability to compose a logical argument based on the given prompt. The section contains two different prompts to each be completed within 30 minutes.

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- Analytical Writing
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Unscored/Research

GRE General Test Sections

ETS (n.d.). GRE® General Test Structure. https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/about/structure/

GRE structure and sections

GRE Analytical Writing Section

Each section of the verbal reasoning test contains 20 questions to be answered within 30 minutes. This section is meant to test a test-taker's reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and vocabulary. Each GRE test contains two scored verbal reasoning sections.

GRE Verbal Reasoning Section

Each section of the quantitative reasoning test contains 20 questions to be completed within 35 minutes. This section tests a test-taker's ability to understand and analyze quantitative information, solve problems using mathematical models, and apply concepts from arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.

GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section

This section of the GRE is presented as either a verbal reasoning or quantitative reasoning section, but does not count toward a test-taker's final score. Instead, the questions on this section are used to evaluate what questions should appear on future editions of the GRE.

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