GRE analytical writing syllabus
Analytical Writing is now one task, not two. The Analyze an Argument essay was removed in the September 2023 shortening and the Analyze an Issue task was kept at 30 minutes.
It also always comes first, before either of the other measures, and there is no break afterwards. The GRE General Test syllabus hub page covers the other two measures.
Pattern
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tasks | One, Analyze an Issue |
| Time | 30 minutes |
| Position in the test | First, always |
| Scale | 0 to 6 |
| Increment | Half points |
| Scores reported | One score for the measure |
| Negative marking | Not applicable |
The full five section structure is below. Analytical Writing always comes first, and the two measures may then appear in either order.
| Section | Questions or tasks | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing, one Analyze an Issue task | 1 task | 30 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning, section 1 | 12 | 18 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning, section 2 | 15 | 23 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning, section 1 | 12 | 21 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning, section 2 | 15 | 26 minutes |
| Total | 54 scored questions plus 1 task | About 1 hour 58 minutes |
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What the task asks
You are given an opinion on an issue and asked to evaluate it and develop an argument of your own, supported by reasons and examples. The essay is rated holistically on a six point scale and a single score is reported.
What the task involves
- Evaluating an opinion on an issue of general interest
- Taking and sustaining a position of your own
- Supporting that position with reasons and examples
- Considering the complexities of the issue rather than treating it as one sided
- Writing in clear, organised prose within 30 minutes
How it is scored
- A holistic rating on a 0 to 6 scale, in half point increments
- One score reported for the measure
- No Score is reported where nothing is written for the measure
- The Analytical Writing score is not viewable immediately after the test, unlike Verbal and Quantitative
What is not in this section
- No Analyze an Argument task. It was removed in September 2023
- No multiple choice element
- No subject knowledge requirement. Issues are of general interest
- No research or citation
- No second essay, so there is no scope to recover a weak piece with a stronger one
How to spend the time
Spend the first five minutes deciding your position and your two or three reasons. A clear line held throughout the essay does more than fluent prose with no argument behind it.
Treat the single task as the whole measure, because it is. With two essays a weak one could be offset. With one there is nothing to offset it.
Acknowledge the other side briefly and specifically. The scale rewards recognising complexity, and a sentence that concedes a real counter point does more than a paragraph of hedging.
Practise to the clock from the beginning. Thirty minutes is tight, it comes first, and the four remaining sections follow with no break. Browse the available GRE General practice papers.
Common mistakes
- Preparing the Analyze an Argument task, which is no longer set
- Writing a balanced survey with no position of your own
- Spending so long planning that the essay is unfinished
- Using memorised examples that do not fit the issue given
- Treating the measure as optional because it is reported separately from Verbal and Quantitative
- Expecting to see the score immediately after the test, which does not happen for this measure
Analytical Writing before and after the 2023 change
| Feature | Before September 2023 | Current |
|---|---|---|
| Tasks | Two | One |
| Task types | Analyze an Issue and Analyze an Argument | Analyze an Issue only |
| Time per task | 30 minutes each | 30 minutes |
| Measure time | 60 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Scale | 0 to 6 in half points | 0 to 6 in half points |
Frequently asked questions
How many essays are on the GRE now?
One, the Analyze an Issue task, in 30 minutes.
What happened to the Analyze an Argument essay?
It was removed in the September 2023 shortening.
How is Analytical Writing scored?
On a 0 to 6 scale in half point increments, rated holistically, with a single score reported.
When does the essay appear in the test?
First, always. The two other measures follow in either order.
Do I see my writing score immediately?
No. Unofficial Verbal and Quantitative scores appear at the end of the test. The writing score comes with the official scores, 8 to 10 days later.
Is subject knowledge needed?
No. The issues are of general interest and the measure tests reasoning and expression.
Is there a word limit?
ETS sets no word count. The constraint is the 30 minutes.
Does the writing score affect my Verbal or Quantitative scores?
No. The three measures are reported separately.
What happens if I write nothing?
No Score is reported for the measure.
Can I take a break before the essay?
The current test has no scheduled break at any point.