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GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) Analytical Writing Flashcards
52 question-and-answer cards covering Analytical Writing as it is examined in GRE (Graduate Record Examinations). 24 of them are printed below, taken from across the deck — no signup, no paywall on the preview.
24 sample cards from the Analytical Writing deck
Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.
Give an example of a specific GRE Issue task instruction.
'Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree and explain your reasoning, addressing the most compelling reasons or examples that could challenge your position.'
What happens if a GRE essay is well-written but ignores the prompt's specific instructions?
It cannot earn a top score, because responsiveness to the exact task is a core scoring criterion.
What is the scoring scale for the GRE Analytical Writing measure?
A 0 to 6 scale in half-point increments.
What does 'holistic' scoring mean for the GRE essay?
The reader assigns a single overall score based on the essay's total quality, not by adding up points for separate features.
What does a score of 6 on the GRE AWA scale represent?
Outstanding: sustained, insightful analysis with compelling support, well-organized, and fluent, precise language.
What does a score of 4 on the GRE AWA scale represent?
Adequate: competent analysis with sufficient support, satisfactory organization, and generally clear language with some errors.
What does a score of 1 on the GRE AWA scale represent?
Fundamentally deficient: little or no evidence of the ability to analyze the issue or develop a coherent response.
When is a GRE AWA score of 0 assigned?
When the response is off-topic, in a foreign language, merely copies the prompt, is non-verbal, or is blank.
How is the GRE Analytical Writing essay scored by humans and machines?
By one trained human rater and the e-rater computerized scoring engine; the final score is the average if they agree closely.
What happens if the human rater and e-rater scores differ significantly on the GRE essay?
A second human rater scores the essay, and the final score is the average of the two human scores.
What is the e-rater in GRE scoring?
ETS's automated essay-scoring program that evaluates writing features and serves as a check on the human rater.
What is the role of the human reader in GRE AWA scoring?
To holistically judge the essay's critical thinking, analysis, organization, and language quality.
How is the final reported GRE AWA score rounded?
The averaged scores are rounded to the nearest half-point interval on the 0 to 6 scale.
What quality is weighted most heavily in GRE essay scoring?
Critical thinking and the quality of analysis and reasoning, more than grammatical perfection.
How does clarity affect a GRE essay score?
Clear, well-organized expression of ideas is essential; graders reward essays that communicate complex reasoning understandably.
Do minor grammatical errors prevent a high GRE AWA score?
No; occasional minor errors are acceptable as long as analysis is strong and meaning remains clear.
What grammar and sentence-level qualities improve a GRE essay?
Correct syntax, subject-verb agreement, varied sentence structure, and proper punctuation that aids clarity.
Why is sentence variety valued in GRE writing?
Varied sentence length and structure demonstrate language control and make the essay more fluent and engaging.
What role does vocabulary play in GRE Analytical Writing?
Precise, appropriate word choice conveys ideas accurately; vocabulary should enhance clarity, not be inflated for its own sake.
What does 'precision' in language mean for GRE AWA?
Choosing exact words and phrasing that convey the intended meaning clearly and avoid vagueness or ambiguity.
Why is overly complex or showy vocabulary risky in a GRE essay?
Misused 'big' words reduce clarity and can lower the score; correct, precise usage matters more than complexity.
What is a recommended time-management breakdown for the 30-minute GRE essay?
Roughly 3-5 minutes planning/outlining, about 20-22 minutes writing, and 3-5 minutes reviewing and editing.
Why is planning before writing important under the 30-minute GRE limit?
A quick outline organizes your thesis and supporting points, preventing disorganized writing and saving time overall.
Why should you reserve time to proofread the GRE essay?
A final review catches grammar errors, unclear sentences, and gaps in logic, improving clarity and the overall holistic score.
What this deck covers
The Analytical Writing deck follows the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) Analytical Writing syllabus — 4 chapters and 14 topics — so questions land on material that is genuinely examinable rather than trivia around it. That works out to roughly 13.0 cards per chapter.
Answers are written to be recallable, not just readable — averaging about 110 characters, which is long enough to carry the reasoning and short enough to say out loud.
A deck like this earns its keep on the second and third pass. Read the syllabus first so you know the shape of the subject, then use the cards to find the specific facts that have not stuck.
Analytical Writing flashcards FAQ
How many Analytical Writing flashcards are in this GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) deck?
52 cards. This page previews 24 of them, sampled evenly across the deck so you can judge the difficulty before installing anything.
Are these GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) flashcards free?
Yes. The preview here is free to read with no signup, and the full 52-card deck is free inside the Examius app.
What do the Analytical Writing cards cover?
They follow the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) Analytical Writing syllabus — 4 chapters and 14 topics — so the questions track what is actually examinable.
How should I use these flashcards?
Read the syllabus first so you know the shape of the subject, then drill the deck. Examius schedules each card with spaced repetition, so cards you keep missing come back sooner and ones you know drift further apart.