GRE General Test Analytical Writing Syllabus

Analytical Writing syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Analytical Writing in GRE General Test, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Understanding the Analytical Writing Section

   4 topics

   • Single Analyze an Issue Task Format
   • Scoring Rubric (0-6 Scale)
   • How Essays Are Scored (Human and e-rater)
   • Timing and Section Logistics
2. 2

   Analyze an Issue Task

   4 topics

   • Understanding the Prompt and Instructions
   • Developing a Position
   • Generating Relevant Examples
   • Structuring the Argument
3. 3

   Essay Structure and Organization

   4 topics

   • Introduction and Thesis Statement
   • Body Paragraphs and Topic Sentences
   • Logical Transitions and Flow
   • Conclusion Writing
4. 4

   Writing Style and Mechanics

   4 topics

   • Clarity and Sentence Variety
   • Grammar, Usage, and Diction
   • Academic Tone and Word Choice
   • Common Writing Errors to Avoid
5. 5

   Templates, Practice, and Revision

   4 topics

   • Effective Essay Templates
   • Brainstorming and Outlining Under Time Pressure
   • Analyzing Sample High-Scoring Essays
   • Self-Editing and Proofreading

Analytical Writing flashcards for GRE General Test

20 of 50 cards from the Analytical Writing deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. How many writing tasks does the GRE Analytical Writing section contain, and what is the task called?

   Exactly one task, called "Analyze an Issue." Since the shorter GRE launched in September 2023, the "Analyze an Argument" task has been removed, leaving a single 30-minute Issue essay.

2. What does the GRE "Analyze an Issue" task require you to do?

   Read a brief statement on an issue of general interest, take a clear position on it, and support that position with reasons and examples—while responding to the specific instructions that accompany the statement.

3. On what scale is the GRE Analytical Writing essay scored, and how is the score reported?

   On a 0–6 scale in half-point increments, rounded to the nearest half point. It is reported separately from Verbal and Quantitative and is not part of the 260–340 composite score.

4. What characterizes a score of 6 ("Outstanding") on the GRE Analytical Writing rubric?

   An insightful, in-depth position on the issue; compelling, persuasive reasons and examples; focused, well-organized ideas; and superior facility with language (variety, precise vocabulary). A few minor errors are still allowed.

5. What characterizes a score of 5 ("Strong") on the GRE Analytical Writing rubric?

   A generally thoughtful, well-developed position with logically sound reasons and well-chosen examples, clear organization, and good control of language—with only minor lapses in clarity or occasional errors.

6. What characterizes a score of 4 ("Adequate") on the GRE Analytical Writing rubric?

   A competent response: a clear position supported with relevant (if less developed) reasons and examples, adequate organization, and acceptable clarity, though with some errors and less precision than higher scores.

7. What characterizes a score of 3 ("Limited") on the GRE Analytical Writing rubric?

   Some competence but clear flaws: a vague or limited position, weak or irrelevant support, poor focus or organization, and language problems (unclear sentences, errors) that can interfere with meaning.

8. What characterizes a score of 2 ("Seriously Flawed") on the GRE Analytical Writing rubric?

   Serious weaknesses: an unclear or seriously limited position, few or no relevant reasons and examples, disorganization, and frequent errors that obscure meaning.

9. What characterizes a score of 1 ("Fundamentally Deficient") on the GRE Analytical Writing rubric?

   Little or no evidence of the ability to understand the issue or develop and organize a response; severe, pervasive errors that make much of the essay incoherent.

10. Under what conditions does a GRE essay receive a score of 0, and what does "NS" mean?

    A 0 is given if the response is completely off-topic, not in English, merely copies the prompt, or consists of random characters. NS (No Score) means no essay was entered at all.

11. Who or what scores each GRE Analytical Writing essay initially?

    Each essay is scored by one trained human rater and by e-rater, ETS's automated scoring engine.

12. In GRE essay scoring, what happens when the human rater and e-rater agree, and what happens when they disagree?

    If the human score and the e-rater score closely agree, the final score is the average of the two. If they disagree, a second human rater scores the essay, and the final score is the average of the two human scores.

13. What features does ETS's e-rater evaluate in a GRE essay, and what can it NOT judge?

    It evaluates measurable features such as grammar, usage, mechanics, organization, development, and vocabulary. It cannot judge the truth, insightfulness, or factual accuracy of your content—that is the human rater's role.

14. What is holistic scoring, the method used for GRE essays?

    Raters assign a single overall score based on the total impression of the essay's quality—considering ideas, organization, and language together—rather than adding up separate subscores for each trait.

15. How much time do you have to write the GRE Analytical Writing essay?

    30 minutes for the single "Analyze an Issue" essay. There is one prompt with no choice of topic.

16. Where does the Analytical Writing section appear in the GRE General Test?

    It is always the first section of the test, before the Verbal and Quantitative sections.

17. What features does the GRE's on-screen word processor include and exclude?

    It includes basic functions: insert and delete text, cut and paste, and undo. It has NO spell checker and NO grammar checker, so you must proofread yourself.

18. Where do GRE Issue essay prompts come from, and why does this matter for preparation?

    Every test prompt is drawn from the complete pool of Issue topics published on the ETS website, so you can practice with the actual prompts in advance.

19. Why must you read the specific instructions that follow the Issue statement, not just the statement itself?

    Each prompt pairs the statement with one of several instruction sets (e.g., address counterarguments, consider specific circumstances). Raters check whether you followed those instructions; ignoring them limits your score no matter how well written the essay is.

20. What does the instruction "discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree" invite, and what is a qualified position?

    It invites a nuanced stance rather than total agreement or disagreement. A qualified position agrees under some conditions and disagrees under others (e.g., "true for X, but not when Y"), and this nuance is rewarded by the rubric.

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