list of essay topics for gre

This site uses various technologies, as described in our Privacy Policy, for personalization, measuring website use/performance, and targeted advertising, which may include storing and sharing information about your site visit with third parties. By continuing to use this website you consent to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

COVID-19 Update: To help students through this crisis, The Princeton Review will continue our "Enroll with Confidence" refund policies. For full details, please click here.

GRE Essay Prompts

The GRE Analytical Writing section requires you to write two essays—one will be an analysis of an issue and the other will be an analysis of an argument. You will have 30 minutes for each essay. Try your hand at these GRE essay prompts, and read our explanations for what makes a great GRE essay. We pulled these sample questions from our book GRE Premium Prep and from our GRE prep course materials.

The GRE Issue Essay

The Issue Essay of the GRE requires you to present your opinion on the provided topic.

Issue Topic

You will be given a brief quotation that states or implies an issue of general interest and specific instructions on how to respond to that issue. You will have 30 minutes to plan and compose a response in which you develop a position on the issue according the specific instructions. A response to any other issue will receive a score of zero.

"True beauty is found not in the exceptional but in the commonplace."

Write an essay in which you take a position on the statement above. In developing and supporting your essay, consider instances in which the statement does and does not hold true.

A high-scoring Issue essay accomplishes four key tasks: (1) considers the complexities of the issue; (2) supports the position with relevant examples; (3) is clear and well organized; (4) demonstrates superior facility with the conventions of standard written English. Make sure that you respond to the specific instructions and support your position on the issue with reasons and examples drawn from such areas as your reading, experience, observations, and/or academic studies.

[+] See the Answer

The GRE Argument Essay

The Argument Essay of the GRE asks you to examine and critique the logic of an argument.

Argument Topic

You will be given a short passage that presents an argument, or an argument to be completed, and specific instructions on how to respond to that passage. You will have 30 minutes to plan and compose a response in which you analyze the passage according to specific instructions. A response to any other issue will receive a score of zero.

Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on the assumptions and what the implications are if the assumptions prove unwarranted.

A high-scoring Argument essay accomplishes these tasks: (1) clearly identifies and insightfully analyzes important features of the argument; (2) develops ideas clearly and logically with smooth transitions; (3) effectively supports the main points of the critique; (4) demonstrates superior facility with the conventions of standard written English. Note that you are NOT being asked to present your own views on the subject. Make sure you that you respond to the specific instructions and support your analysis with relevant reasons and/or examples.

Want more practice?

Take a GRE practice test with us under the same conditions as the real thing. You'll get a personalized score report highlighting your strengths and areas of improvement.

Start a Free Practice Test

Graduate School

Explore Graduate Programs for You

Explore our featured graduate schools & programs to find those that both match your interests and are looking for students like you.

Best Law Schools

Check out our complete list of 168 law schools, based on surveys of school administrators and over 17,000 students.

Search for Medical Schools

Our medical school search allows you to refine your search with filters for location, tuition, concentrations and more.

Find MBA Programs Matched to Your Interests

Explore our featured business schools to find those that are looking for students like you.

Free MCAT Practice Test

I already know my score.

MCAT Self-Paced 14-Day Free Trial

Enrollment Advisor

1-800-2REVIEW (800-273-8439) ext. 1

1-877-LEARN-30

Mon-Fri 9AM-10PM ET

Sat-Sun 9AM-8PM ET

Student Support

1-800-2REVIEW (800-273-8439) ext. 2

Mon-Fri 9AM-9PM ET

Sat-Sun 8:30AM-5PM ET

Partnerships

Teach or Tutor for Us

College Readiness

International

Advertising

Affiliate/Other

Enrollment Terms & Conditions
Accessibility
Cigna Medical Transparency in Coverage

Local Offices: Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM

SAT Subject Tests

Academic Subjects

Social Studies

Find the Right College

College Rankings
College Advice
Applying to College
Financial Aid

School & District Partnerships

Professional Development
Advice Articles
Private Tutoring
Mobile Apps
International Offices
Work for Us
Affiliate Program
Partner with Us
Advertise with Us
International Partnerships
Our Guarantees
Accessibility – Canada

TPR Education, LLC (doing business as “The Princeton Review”) is controlled by Primavera Holdings Limited, a firm owned by Chinese nationals with a principal place of business in Hong Kong, China.

GRE Writing Prompts: Your Guide

Many students preparing for test day are apprehensive about the GRE Analytical Writing essay. After all, there is no way to know exactly which GRE Writing prompts test-takers will see. So, understandably, students worry that there is no way to be fully prepared for all of the possible GRE essay topics that could pop up.

In that respect, however, GRE essay questions are no different from any other type of GRE question you may encounter. After all, you can’t predict exactly which Quant or Verbal concepts will be tested on any given GRE, or what the exact topics discussed in Reading Comprehension passages will be.

Nevertheless, there is still much we can learn about what we’ll face in GRE Quant and Verbal . And, we can still adequately prepare ourselves for whatever may come our way in those sections on test day. The same goes for GRE Writing topics. In fact, in some ways, we have even more information about what we’ll face in GRE essay prompts.

So, breathe a sigh of relief! There is plenty you can learn about the GRE essay topics, so that you go into your exam well-prepared. To help with that preparation, this article will discuss key aspects of the GRE essay prompts and Analytical Writing topics. We’ll also look at some real examples of AWA prompts.

Here is what we’ll cover:

What is gre analytical writing, how many writing prompts are on the gre, the basics of gre essay topics, gre issue topics, using the ets issue topics pool, gre issue tasks: example 1, gre issue tasks: example 2, gre writing prompts: key takeaways, what essays are on the gre, are you only given one prompt per gre essay, how long should gre essays be, can i skip writing on gre test day, is it hard to get a 4 on gre writing, is a 5.0 on gre writing good, what’s next.

To start, let’s review what the GRE Analytical Writing section consists of and what it asks you to do.

The first section you’ll see on the GRE is Analytical Writing. The GRE Analytical Assessment (AWA) prompts you to write an essay, which you have 30 minutes to complete. So, you’ll spend the first half-hour of your exam on Analytical Writing.

Your basic job in GRE Analytical Writing is to write a logically organized essay that demonstrates the following:

critical thinking and logical reasoning skills
an ability to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively
basic English grammar and spelling skills.

You’ll write your essay using the basic word processing program within the GRE test platform. The program features common functions such as delete , undo , cut , and paste .

However, since your own grammar and spelling skills will factor somewhat into the GRE essay scoring, the program does not feature automated spelling or grammar check.

There is no automated spelling or grammar check in GRE Analytical Writing.

Now that we know what the Analytical Writing section is, let’s discuss the basics of GRE Analytical Writing prompts. We’ll start with how many essay prompts you’ll see.

One of the first questions I hear from students who are just learning about GRE Writing prompts is, “How many essay prompts are you given on the GRE?”

Some of this confusion comes from the fact that there used to be 2 essay tasks on the GRE: Analyze an Argument and Analyze an Issue. However, as of September 22, 2023, when the new GRE test (aka the shorter GRE) was released, there is no longer an Argument task in AWA.

So, the Analytical Writing section includes only 1 essay task: the Analyze an Issue task. Let’s discuss what that task requires you to do.

In GRE Analytical Writing, there is only 1 essay task, Analyze an Issue.

The GRE Issue Essay

The Analyze an Issue task, commonly known as the GRE Issue essay, presents a statement of opinion. Your job is to write a response to that opinion.

The opinion may be presented in a single statement that is 1 or 2 sentences long. Alternatively, it may be presented as a 1-sentence “claim” followed by a 1-sentence “reason,” in which the “claim” is the opinion and the “reason” is the reasoning underlying the opinion.

In either case, following the presented opinion, there will be instructions on how to respond to it — that is, what your essay should discuss or accomplish. (We’ll look at some examples of GRE Issue essay prompts shortly.)

Importantly, whether you agree or disagree with the opinion presented in the prompt does not affect your essay score. In other words, there is no “right answer.”

Rather, you should choose whatever position allows you to craft the most logical, coherent, and convincing essay possible. Your position should demonstrate sound reasoning and analysis, and you should be able to support your position with examples.

The GRE Issue essay presents an opinion that you must respond to in your essay.

Now that we understand what the GRE Issue essay is, let’s discuss the topics GRE writing prompts involve.

Let’s start with the good news: GRE Writing topics do not require you to have particular subject matter knowledge. So, there won’t be any GRE Issue topics for which you’re at a disadvantage because you don’t have experience in a certain field of study.

All the information you need to write an effective response to a GRE Issue prompt will appear in the prompt, be common knowledge, or be things you happen to know and can use in your essay.

All the information you need to write an effective response to a GRE Issue prompt will appear in the prompt or be common or incidental knowledge you can draw upon.

That said, there are a few GRE essay themes or broad categories that GRE AWA topics tend to fall into. Let’s take a look.

Broadly speaking, topics for GRE Analytical Writing fall into a few general categories:

government and politics
society and culture
education and research
human nature

Remember, you will not need specialized knowledge of any of these GRE Issue categories. But how might GRE Issue essay prompts cover these topics? Well, a GRE Issue prompt might present an opinion about one of the following, for example:

a type of program that governments should or shouldn’t fund
a way that scientists should conduct their research
a procedure that colleges should follow to benefit their students
the effect of certain technologies on some aspect of society.

Of course, those are just a few examples. You’ll be happy to know that, regardless of the topic covered or how it’s covered, the opinions presented in GRE Writing prompts will not be expressed in highly technical terms or using obscure references.

Rather, they will be much like opinions you might hear during routine conversations with friends or colleagues, hear on a podcast or opinion segment on the news, or read in a newspaper editorial.

GRE essay themes include government and politics, society and culture, education and research, technology, and human nature.

Now, let’s explore an often-discussed subject among students investigating the GRE essay topics: the ETS Pool of Issue Topics.

The GRE Published Pool of Topics

You may be surprised to learn that the ETS writing prompts that can appear on the GRE are publicly available. In other words, there is a list of possible essay questions for GRE General Tests. This list is called the Pool of Issue Topics, and it features actual GRE Analytical Writing prompts that have in the past and could in the future appear on the test. You can view the GRE Issue essay topic pool PDF online here .

Now, when some people hear that a list of GRE essay topics is readily available online, they make it their mission to pore over every inch of that list. Here’s the thing: there are dozens of sample GRE essay questions in the Pool of Issue Topics. (In total, the GRE essay topics pool is nearly 40 pages long.) So, it is neither practical nor necessary to read through all of the GRE AWA writing prompts in order to be prepared for test day.

Furthermore, it is certainly a waste of your time to attempt to memorize the AWA sample prompts. For one, the wording you see in prompts in the GRE Writing Issue Pool may vary slightly in prompts on your actual exam.

Secondly, you’ll need to carefully read the prompt you see on test day regardless of how many GRE sample prompts you’ve read before. So, please don’t make the mistake of spending your valuable study time trying to commit the GRE list of essay topics to memory.

Let’s discuss how you should use the GRE Issue Pool.

You may be wondering how to most effectively make use of having so many sample GRE Issue topics at your fingertips. First, it is worthwhile to read through some of the prompts in ETS’s GRE Pool of Issue Topics to get a feel for how GRE essay prompts are worded and the ways they cover topics.

Then, as your GRE essay practice in preparation for test day, you should randomly select a few sample GRE essay questions to write responses to. Before you write those practice essays, you may want to check out these GRE writing examples , which feature sample essay responses with scores and reader commentary. You also may want to have a look at the GRE scoring rubric for Analytical Writing , to see the essay characteristics that are associated with different scores.

Now, let me make one important point clear: it is not a wise use of your time to attempt to write responses to every prompt in the GRE Analytical Writing pool, for the following 3 reasons:

You do not need anywhere near such a large amount of practice to be able to write a high-scoring GRE essay. So, in writing so many practice essays, you will waste valuable study time you need for other sections of the test.
You will burn yourself out on essay-writing by the time test day rolls around.
After writing so many essays, even if you recognize the prompt you see on test day, you almost certainly will not remember how you responded to it in your practice essay.

Practice writing responses to a few GRE Writing sample prompts from the ETS Issue Pool online, but don’t go overboard.

Now, let’s look at a couple of GRE Writing prompt samples from the ETS Issue Pool.

Example GRE Essay Questions

To get a feel for what to expect in the Analytical Writing section, let’s review a couple of example essay questions from the GRE Writing Issue Pool. You can find these GRE essay examples in the PDF linked above.

Some people believe that the purpose of education is to free the mind and the spirit. Others believe that formal education tends to restrain our minds and spirits rather than set them free.

Write a response in which you discuss which view more closely aligns with your own position and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should address both of the views presented.

Notice the format of the question: first, an opinion is presented. Below that opinion, we see a few italicized lines of instructions on how to respond to the presented opinion. This format is standard for GRE Issue essay prompts.

Notice also that, while we can say that the topic of the prompt is “education,” a test-taker would not need any particular knowledge of education practices or policies in order to write an effective response.

In other words, a person of any background can form an opinion about the “purpose of education.” Forming that opinion does not require having specialized knowledge or training.

Let’s look at another example from the GRE list of essay topics.

Leaders are created by the demands that are placed on them.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

Notice that the language in the instructions in the prompt above is similar in some ways to that in the first prompt, though not exactly the same. If you scan the GRE Writing examples in the ETS Issue pool, you’ll notice some common language among many of the prompts.

However, there are several variations of instructions that could appear in GRE Issue prompts. So, it’s imperative that you always read the instructions in a prompt very carefully. It would be a mistake to skim or read only part way through a prompt because you recognize the wording, and thus assume you know what the instructions are asking you to do.

Always read through the entirety of the instructions in a GRE essay prompt, even if the instructions look similar to ones you’ve seen before!

Now that we’ve done some GRE practice writing prompts, let’s wrap up with the key takeaways from this article and answer some common questions about GRE Analytical Writing.

GRE Analytical Writing is the first section you’ll see on your test.
The Analytical Writing section features 1 essay prompt, Analyze an Issue, which you have 30 minutes to complete.
Your essay should demonstrate critical thinking and logical reasoning skills, clear and effective communication of your ideas, and basic English grammar and spelling skills.
The GRE Issue essay presents a 1-2 sentence opinion that you must respond to. Whether your response agrees or disagrees with the presented opinion does not affect your essay score.
You do not need specialized subject knowledge to effectively respond to GRE essay prompts.
The pool of Issue topics GRE tests can feature is available online. That list features actual ETS GRE Writing prompts.
Review and practice some of the example GRE essay questions in the ETS Issue Pool to get accustomed to GRE essay challenges and refine your GRE writing strategies.
Do not attempt to memorize all of the GRE Issue essay prompts or determine how to address each GRE Writing question in the topic pool.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Let’s answer a few common questions about GRE Analytical Writing.

As of September 22, 2023, there is 1 essay task on the GRE, the Analyze an Issue task.

There is only 1 prompt per GRE essay. So, you will see only 1 prompt on any given GRE test.

There is no minimum or maximum word count required for the GRE essay. So, conceivably, you could write a high-scoring essay that is 350 words or one that is 600 words. There is no magic number.

That said, in order to effectively develop and support your ideas in a well-organized essay, you’ll need an intro and a conclusion paragraph, plus 2 or 3 paragraphs in between to present and elaborate on your main points. So, we’re looking at a 4-5 paragraph essay.

Now, each paragraph does not have to be overly long; good GRE essays should certainly prioritize quality over quantity. But, in many cases, you may find that 400 words is not quite enough to properly respond to a GRE essay prompt.

Think about it: a 4-paragraph essay (the minimum you’ll need) that is 500 words is only 125 words per paragraph. Those aren’t very long paragraphs!

So, shoot for quality over quantity, but realize that in general, you may need more like 500-600 words to write a cohesive and complete GRE essay.

For the vast majority of GRE test-takers, the answer to this question will be NO. Most graduate schools want applicants submitting GRE scores to have taken the entire GRE, not just parts of it.

So, unless you’ve confirmed that your desired programs don’t consider Writing scores, you should absolutely complete the Analytical Writing section.

For more on this topic, check out our article on the importance of the Analytical Writing score .

A 4.0 is currently a 56th percentile score in GRE Analytical Writing. Note that the mean GRE writing score is currently just under 3.6. So, a 4.0 is slightly better than average. And, generally speaking, schools consider 4.0 a “good” score, though of course each program will have its own standards.

In any case, considering that nearly half of all people who take the GRE are able to score 4.0 or higher on Analytical Writing, I’d say that it isn’t particularly hard to earn that score.

Of course, if you don’t do any Analytical Writing preparation, or you go into your exam without writing strategies in place, scoring 4.0 could be quite hard. So, the answer to whether any particular score on the GRE is “hard” to earn will always be somewhat relative.

A 5.0 is currently a 91st percentile score in GRE Analytical Writing and is generally considered an excellent score. After all, that score would put you in the top 10% of all GRE test-takers.

To read more about how graduate schools view different Writing scores (and other GRE section scores), check out our article on what a good GRE score is .

Looking for GRE essay templates and expert AWA preparation tips and rhetorical strategies? The Target Test Prep GRE Course fully prepares you to dominate any GRE essay question you see on test day. Check out the course for 5 days for just $1 !

You also may be interested in these strategies for combating boredom in Reading Comprehension and these myths about the GRE Verbal section .

About The Author

Scott Woodbury-Stewart is the founder & CEO of Target Test Prep. A passionate teacher who is deeply invested in the success of his students, Scott began his career teaching physics, chemistry, math, and biology. Since then, he has spent more than a decade helping students gain entry into the world’s top business schools, logging 10,000+ hours of GMAT, EA, GRE and SAT instruction. Scott also served as lead content developer and curriculum architect for the revolutionary courses Target Test Prep GMAT, Target Test Prep EA, Target Test Prep GRE and Target Test Prep SAT Quant.

GRE Analytical Writing Topics: Important GRE AWA Topics

The GRE analytical writing topics demand deep critical thinking for better analysis and presentation. The GRE AWA topics from the two sections (Issue & Argument) of the test are complementary to each other. While one needs a personal argument with evidence, the other expects you to evaluate someone else's argument by assessing its claims and evaluating the evidence it provides. The 7 categories of GRE essay topics are: Education, Technology and Society, Cities, Arts, Government and Power, Intellectual Endeavors, and Philosophical.

In this blog we dwell at length about different GRE essay topics and the possible type of questions commonly asked in the GRE test.

What is GRE Analytical Writing(AWA)?

The GRE essay topics for analytical writing tests your critical thinking capacity and analytical skills of writing. The primary aim here is to articulate and support complex ideas, construct and evaluate arguments for a coherent discussion. The GRE AWA topics comprises two analytical writing tasks that are separately timed:

Argument Essay
Issue Essay

You will be given 30 minutes separately to complete both the essays. The GRE AWA topics for both essays need to be approached differently. For that you must be clear about the differences between the two.

Suggested: Everything About GRE Exam 2023

GRE Argument Essay

The GRE argument essay topics tests your ability to understand, analyze and evaluate arguments. Your task here is to depict your thoughts in writing vividly. You will be given a short passage that demands a definite course of action and interpretation backed by reasons and evidence. You must be keen enough to critically examine the line of reasoning and present logical and convincing evidence.

Sample GRE Argument Topics

Mentioned below are some sample GRE analytical writing topics for argument essays taken from the official GRE website:

"Salicylates are members of the same chemical family as aspirin, a medicine used to treat headaches. Although many foods are naturally rich in salicylates, for the past several decades, food-processing companies have also been adding salicylates to foods as preservatives. This rise in the commercial use of salicylates has been found to correlate with a steady decline in the average number of headaches reported by participants in our twenty-year study. Recently, food-processing companies have found that salicylates can also be used as flavour additives for foods. With this new use for salicylates, we can expect a continued steady decline in the number of headaches suffered by the average citizen of Mentia."

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

"A jazz music club in Monroe would be a tremendously profitable enterprise. Currently, the nearest jazz club is 65 miles away; thus, the proposed new jazz club in Monroe, the C-Note, would have the local market all to itself. Plus, jazz is extremely popular in Monroe: over 100,000 people attended Monroe's annual jazz festival last summer; several well-known jazz musicians live in Monroe; and the highest-rated radio program in Monroe is 'Jazz Nightly,' which airs every weeknight at 7 P.M. Finally, a nationwide study indicates that the typical jazz fan spends close to $1,000 per year on jazz entertainment."
"In a controlled laboratory study of liquid hand soaps, a concentrated solution of extra strength UltraClean hand soap produced a 40 percent greater reduction in harmful bacteria than did the liquid hand soaps currently used in our hospitals. During our recent test of regular-strength UltraClean with doctors, nurses, and visitors at our hospital in Worktown, the hospital reported significantly fewer cases of patient infection (a 20 percent reduction) than did any of the other hospitals in our group. The explanation for the 20 percent reduction in patient infections is the use of UltraClean soap."

Write a response in which you discuss one or more alternative explanations that could rival the proposed explanation and explain how your explanation(s) can plausibly account for the facts presented in the argument.

Suggested: GRE Analytical Writing Sample Essays

GRE Issue Essay

The GRE issue essay topics evaluates your ability to think critically about a given topic of general interest and clearly express your views about it in writing. Each issue statement provides a claim that you can be seen and analyzed from different perspectives and applicable to multiple situations or conditions.

Sample GRE Issue Topics

Mentioned below are some sample GRE analytical writing topics for issue essays taken from the official GRE website:

Governments should place few, if any, restrictions on scientific research and development.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the recommendation and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, describe specific circumstances in which adopting the recommendation would or would not be advantageous and explain how these examples shape your position.

The luxuries and conveniences of contemporary life prevent people from developing into truly strong and independent individuals.

The best way to teach — whether as an educator, employer, or parent — is to praise positive actions and ignore negative ones.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.

Suggested: How to write GRE AWA Essays?

So this was a gist of the questions for GRE analytical writing topics and their question patten. Now let us see some tips to tackle AWA topics for GRE with answers:

Tips to Prepare for GRE Analytical Writing Topics

Be it GRE issue topics or argument topics, you may follow the following approach for an informative essay:

Before taking the GRE Test, carefully go through the sample topics, essay responses and rater commentary for each task of the section. Review the scoring guides for each task as well. It will offer a deeper understanding of how GRE essays are evaluated and the most important elements of the essay.
You are given 30 minutes each to complete the GRE argument topics and issue topics. So utlize every moment with care.
Save a few minutes at the end of each timed task to check for obvious errors like spelling mistakes, grammatical mistakes, etc.

Suggested: GRE Structure and Pattern

Ace your GRE Preparations with Yocket Prep+!

Need more tips to ace the GRE exam? Or even so, need a schedule planner, plenty of GRE mock tests , and GRE classes with experts having years of experience?

You, my friend, are at the right place! And, let us tell you how YOU can be a GRE Master!!

With Yocket’s GRE Prep platform you can get hold of a whole lot of things - FREE mock & diagnostic tests, FREE resources, more than 40 personalised difficulty-level subject practice tests with instant performance report and detailed solutions, and much much more!

And well, not just that, Yocket Prep will offer you:

Instant solutions and performance analysis based on your diagnostic tests
Focussed and prioritised GRE learning and practice schedule, to keep you ahead of time
Custom priority-based study planner, which focuses on the most important & marks-fetching topics practice by volume
7 GRE style tests (which are very difficult to get tbh), 40+ topic-wise tests, access to Priority Dashboard and much more than you can imagine through Yocket Prep+
Extensive GRE lessons and GRE classes under the supervision of Yocket’s GRE experts having 15+ years of experience!!

To be your best, you need to test and try products which are meant for best results. Being aware of the GRE syllabus , and GRE portions will only help you, if your mind aligns high scoring potential with content precision. And that, we believe, can be done through Yocket Prep.

Getting to know about the GRE subject test is the first step, starting your GRE test preparations in full swing, the second. There is no better feeling than feeling well-prepared before your exam. And trust us, rigorous practice and drills can do you wonders!

If you’ve also set your sights on the best B-school or a tech university, reach out to us, reach out to Yocket Study Abroad Experts ; and we shall make it the best decision you’ve ever taken!

Frequently Asked Questions About GRE AWA Topics

What is the analytical writing section of the gre general test, what is the duration of the gre awa writing section, what are gre awa topics, how to score high in gre awa essay section, where do i find practice tests for gre analytical writing topics, a test-taking platform that helps for gre® preparation online., other links.

Help Center
Privacy Policy

OUR PRODUCTS

GRE® is a registered trademark of Educational Testing Service (ETS). This website is not endorsed or approved by ETS.

1. Introduction to GRE Analytical Writing
2. Issue Essay vs Argument Essay: 11 Key Differences
3. 7 Major Factors That Boost Your AWA Score
4. The 6 Step Process to Conquer GRE Analytical Writing
5. Examples and Analyses of Perfect 6.0 AWA Essays
6. 6 Types of False Reasoning You Should Avoid on the Argument Essay
7. How to Finish an Essay in 20 Minutes: 9 Effective Strategies to Save Time on the AWA Section
8. Top 101 Transitional Words and Phrases You Should Use to Score a 6.0 on the AWA Section
9. 27 Mistakes You Should Avoid When Writing Your AWA Essays
10. Bonus Chapter – Mind-Blowing Templates to Score a 6.0 on the AWA Section

The Advanced Guide to GRE Analytical Writing

71 mind-blowing tips, techniques, and strategies to score a perfect 6.0 on the awa.

Written By Jitta & Sachin

Introduction to GRE Analytical Writing

Getting a 99 percentile score on either of Verbal and Quant sections on the GRE requires several weeks, if not months, of diligence, patience, practice, and smart prep. But with only a fraction of the hard work you put in for Math and Verbal, and just a few days of practice, you can easily get a 99 percentile score on the AWA section. Plus, getting a 6.0 on the AWA isn’t a regular occurrence, and only about 8000 test takers around the world do it every year. So, if you can be one of those guys, you will be famous not only among your friends, but also among the admissions committees.

Unfortunately, the AWA is the most neglected section on the GRE. Test takers across the world believe that they can easily master AWA in a day or two. And look at what they end up with: The average AWA score of a GRE test taker worldwide is a mere 4.0, and the average AWA score of an Indian test taker is even lower. Now, to most Indian students, getting a 4.0 on the AWA might seem like an impressive feat. But in reality, 4.0 is considered just average in most countries. And on top of it, getting a 6.0 isn’t really as tough as it seems. It is only that you don’t know how.

If you are looking to score a perfect 6.0 on the AWA section, you will have to be a lot more planned than most other students. Just as with the Verbal and Quant sections, mastering the essay section on the GRE requires the same amount of confidence, persistence, and practice. And in addition to all that, you will also need a solid guide that can help you with all the strategies and tips. You will need an AWA Bible, so to speak.

But sadly enough, there isn’t much useful information on the internet about this frequently neglected section. Yes, there are some good articles and sample 6.0 essays that you can get with a simple Google search, but nowhere on the internet is a definitive guide to help you write a 6.0 essay on the GRE. And that is why, we at CrunchPrep, decided to provide you with a complete, advanced guide to scoring a perfect 6.0 on the AWA. And hey, don’t blame us if the 6.0 percentile goes down from 99 to 80 soon.

What is the AWA all about?

The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) portion of the GRE consists of two essays, each of which you will need to write in 30 minutes or less. The two essays you will see on the GRE are, Analysis of an Issue and Analysis of an Argument. These two essays will always come first on your GRE test, no matter what. You cannot simply skip off AWA, move on to the other sections, and come back later. AWA itself is a separate section, and only after you finish writing the two essays can you move on further.

Despite what most students say, you should remember that the AWA only tests how well you can write an essay, and hence measures only your writing abilities. Contrary to popular opinion, the AWA does not analyze your thought process. As long as your essay sounds logical, writing ability is all it measures. We will be discussing more about this in the upcoming sections.

How important is the AWA?

It is a widely known fact that your AWA essay score is not as important as your composite math and verbal score on the GRE, and getting a 5.0 or 6.0 won’t make or break your chances of getting admitted to the university of your choice. Graduate school admissions officers only bother about your AWA score, if it is too low, or significantly lower than their usual class average. Yes, a poor score on the AWA can definitely send up a red flag, and the admissions committee will certainly think twice before letting you in. Sometimes, they even go to the extent of rereading your SOP and LORs, to find out if they were actually written by you or someone else. So, it is rather safe to say that the AWA score is an important enough factor when it comes to admissions.

What is the score range for AWA?

The AWA score ranges between 0 and 6.0, with 0.5 point increments. But what exactly does it mean to get a 6.0, or 4.0 or for that matter, a 0 on the AWA? Well, the scoring system is designed in a way that your responses to each of these essay questions are scored on a 6-point scale, with 6 being the highest score and 1, the lowest. Given below, are the parameters that ETS looks at when grading your AWA essays:

6.0 – Outstanding:

A well-articulated critique of the argument/issue, demonstrating mastery of effective writing, and displaying the following characteristics:

Clearly identifies and analyzes the most important features of the argument with deep insight.
Develops cogent ideas, organizes them logically, and connects them properly without sudden transitions.
Supports the main points of the critique strongly.
Demonstrates superior control of the English language, including diction, sentence formation, spelling, grammar and syntactic variety used in standard written English.
Few to no flaws in the essay.

5.0 – Strong

A well-developed critique of the argument, demonstrating good control of writing, and displaying the following characteristics:

Clearly identifies the important features of the argument and analyzes them thoughtfully.
Develops ideas clearly, and connects them logically, with appropriate transitions.
Gives a very sensible support to the main points of the critique.
Has clear control of language, including diction and syntactic variety
May have minor flaws like spelling errors, but no major flaws.

4.0 – Adequate

A satisfactory critique of the given argument, demonstrating decent control of writing, and displaying the following characteristics:

Capable of Identifying and analyzing the main features of the argument.
Develops and organizes ideas satisfactorily, but some important connections and transitions may be missing.
Supports the main points of the critique.
Demonstrates sufficient control of language, but may lack syntactic variety.
May have many minor flaws or some major flaws.

3.0 – Limited

A satisfactory essay with clearly flawed critique of the argument, demonstrating little control of the elements of writing, and displaying the following characteristics:

Does not identify or analyze many of the important features of the argument.
Has limited logical development and no proper organization of ideas.
Offers support of little relevance and value for points of the critique
Uses language imprecisely and/or lacks sentence variety
Contains occasional major errors or frequent minor errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics

2.0 – Seriously Flawed

An unsatisfactory essay with serious weakness in analytical writing skills, and displaying the following characteristics:

Demonstrates no understanding of the main features of the argument.
Almost no analyses of the main points have been made.
Does not develop any ideas or is disorganized
Provides nil to few relevant evidences.
Has frequent serious problems in the use of language, grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.

1.0 – Fundamentally Deficient

An essay full of fundamental deficiencies in analytical writing skills, and displaying the following characteristics:

Provides little to no evidence of the ability to understand and analyze the main idea.
Failure to develop an organized response.
Contains severe and persistent errors in language and sentence structure
Has an unusually frequent pattern of errors in grammar, usage, and logic.
A totally incoherent response.

0.0 – Unscorable

A paper that is totally illegible or obviously not written on the assigned topic. A score of zero is given to responses that come under one of the following cases:

The responses are off topic.
The responses are written in a language other than English.
The responses are a mere copy of the given topic.
The responses consist only of random keystroke characters.
No response.

So, it is safe to say that if you write at least a few sentences in English, you will get a score of 1.0. But rest assured, no university under the sun will accept a score that low.

How is the AWA graded?

Each of your AWA essays is scored on a scale of 0 to 6. Two readers will read your Issue essay and assign it a deserving score and two different readers will read your Argument essay and assign it a score. Each grader will award a 6.0 to the top essays and scores of 0 are reserved for essays written on topics other than the one assigned or written in a foreign language. The graders spend about 30 seconds to 2 minutes on each essay, and give it a score based on pre-defined evaluation metrics such as the overall quality of your critical thinking and writing, as mentioned previously. The graders who evaluate the responses are college and university faculty members from various subject matter areas, including higher education.

Once the readers finish grading your essay, the two scores will be averaged to arrive at a final AWA score. If the grades given by the two readers differ by more than a point, a third, highly experienced grader is brought in to resolve the discrepancy (i.e., determine your final score for that essay).

For each essay, your final score is the average of the scores assigned by the two readers or the adjusted score assigned by the third reader.

Here’s how a typical Analytical Writing score might be derived:

If you earned scores of 6 and 5 on the Analysis of an Issue, then your final score for the Issue essay would be the average of these two i.e., (6 + 5) /2 which equals to 5.5 and if you earned scores of 4 and 5 on the Analysis of an Argument, your final score on the Argument essay would be (4 + 5) /2 which equals to 4.5.

Your final AWA score will be the average of your scores on Issue and Argument essays i.e., (5.5 + 4.5) /2 which equals to 5, which will be your final AWA score.

It should be noted that though your AWA scores range from 0 – 6, about 90 percent of all scores fall between 2 and 5. The average score for the AWA section for all the test takers so far is around 4.2.

Your Analytical Writing Assessment scores are computed and reported separately from the multiple-choice sections of the test and have no effect on your Verbal, Quantitative, or Total scores. Your score report however will not include copies of your responses; only scores are sent. You will receive your essay scores approximately 10-15 days after your test date.

What do graders look for in your AWA essays?

Most students think that essay length the only important factor when it comes to AWA scoring. But, in reality, it is not. Of course, it is one of the most important factors , but it isn’t the only factor. You will have to take many other factors into consideration, if you are looking to get anywhere near the perfect score. We have complied a list of all the factors that affect your overall AWA score, so you can be well prepared, while improving your writing skills on those lines.

The 7 Elements Graders Look For:

This is the most important, and also the most fundamental of all factors that the graders judge your essays on. The grader should understand what you are trying to say, by reading once. This makes their job easier, and they will understand that if it can be understood with just a single reading, then your essay has clarity.

As we discussed earlier, the grader can spend a maximum of only two minutes per essay, and it is your duty to make sure your essays have clearly composed ideas, because more often than not, graders do not bother to reread your essay and waste another couple of minutes. Consequently, you will end up with a score much lower than what you actually deserve.

Ask yourselves these two questions when you are writing the essays. What are you trying to say? What’s your main point? These two questions must have solid answers by the time the grader finishes reading the essay. If you think about it, these are the exact same questions you will have to answer, during Reading Comprehension. Just like how you can easily solve a Reading Comprehension question if you have answers to those two questions, graders assessing your essay will also need to find answers to these exact same questions, if you need a perfect score. Substance matters more than any other factor when it comes to your essays. So, make sure you have solid points, and clear logical reasoning that can be easily understood.

2. Structure

You should have seen it coming; structure is the second most important factor on your essays. The way an article is formatted, has a massive impact upon its readability. Your essays should read like a story; something that can be easily understood, and something that has a proper structure and organization. So, it is important that you break up your essay into distinct paragraphs, each with its own meaning and context, while maintaining a smooth transition between one paragraph and the next.

This way, every paragraph reads like a separate story, and the essay graders can easily scan through your entire response easily. Plus, since the transitions are smooth, and there aren’t any sudden twists in your response, it will make the grader’s job a whole lot easier.

So, ideally, you should have a structure in mind before you begin writing the essay. The general structure is to start with an introductory paragraph followed by 3-4 body paragraphs and finish off with a conclusion paragraph. So, you should make sure that there are at least 5-6 paragraphs in your essay, if you want a solid score on the AWA.

3. Sentence Variety

Even though you are writing several paragraphs on the same topic, you should ideally avoid writing similar or same sentences. If you are an avid reader of news, you get the point. No good writer under the sun writes two exactly same sentences in a single essay or article. Consecutive sentences with the same structure and length can sound monotonous and lifeless, and will obviously bore the reader.

Instead of sounding repetitive and boring, use sentence style skillfully. But this doesn’t mean you should rearrange the words, or chance the voice from passive to active or vice versa. It simply means that you should use a different variety of words to mean the same thing.

For example, if you have already written the sentence ‘The most important virtue of a leader is a strong sense of ethics.’, and if you have to use the same sentence at a later point in the essay, you should try and rephrase that same sentence and write something like this: ‘A strong moral framework is paramount for any leader.’ Get the point?

In this way, you should keep varying the sentence structures, flow and rhythm by switching between short and long sentences. You should also make use of transitional and signal words to vary sentence openings and endings.

4. Vocabulary

There has been a longstanding myth among test takers that the GRE really loves heavy vocabulary, and using it on your AWA essays will boost your score. Well, this isn’t true at all. We have seen students with exceptional vocabulary but poor coherence get paltry AWA scores in the past. And we have seen students with great essay scores without using heavy vocabulary.

Like we said earlier, the AWA is not testing how much vocab you have in your arsenal. There’s Sentence Equivalence and Text Completion for that. AWA only tests how logically you can deduce information and write a reasonable critique about an issue or an argument made by someone else. So, don’t buy those myths. As long as you use sensible reasoning, proper grammar and as long as you can defend your point intelligently and use precise vocabulary to convey meaning effectively, you should be alright. It is not needed that you use heavy vocabulary or GRE words.

5. Language and Grammar

Though officially ETS says you may have minor errors in the essay copy, that doesn’t mean you can ignore silly mistakes. Even though the mistakes or errors do not interfere with overall meaning and coherence, you should understand that the time you make your first error on the essay, the grader will notice it, and will be more conscious while reading the rest of the copy. The grader will be even more vigilant to see if there are any visible or obvious blunders that you have made, and this can have a negative impact on your AWA score. So, try and make sure your essay is as spotless as possible, and eliminate all errors before submitting. Take time to proofread your essay, once you finish writing it. Don’t be in a hurry to submit it off and skip to the next section.

6. Reasoning

Reasoning plays a key role in determining the overall quality of your essay. You should always look to include as many logically compelling reasons as you can to support your stance. One of the most important features about a compelling essay is its ability to convince the reader by means of sound logical reasoning. Anyone who reads your response should be totally convinced of your view point, without having second thoughts. To be able to write such a compelling and well-reasoned copy within 30 minutes would be rather difficult, but you can definitely do it with a lot of practice.

So ideally, you should be able to connect your ideas properly to the central theme or idea of the essay, and convince the reader to agree to your point of view. If the essay doesn’t sound logical or reasonable, you will unfortunately have to pay the penalty, no matter how long the essay is.

7. Evidence

In order to make your essay sound reasonable and logically sound, you will obviously need to provide sufficient evidences. If you want to impress the readers, and convince them to agree to your point of view, you will ideally want to provide convincing evidence to back up your thesis. Search for evidences, either direct or implied, and connect them with the essay. You can even create some random examples and evidences, as long as they fit the bill and don’t sound too random. Develop examples that cogently reinforce your thesis is key to a high essay score.

So, those are the 7 most important elements that graders look for in your essays. Make sure you have all these things covered in your essay, and you’re sure to see a perfect score.

Should you skip the AWA section during practice?

This is probably a question that is on the minds of many students. Almost half of the GRE test takers are native English speakers. And these students tend to neglect practicing the AWA section at home, because according to them, it’s not worth investing time on something they are very confident about. But, there are a few vital points that they don’t realize. We’ve observed what students do when they practice for the GRE, how their approaches have affected their scores on test day, and figured out four reasons as to why the AWA section is an extremely important aspect of the GRE exam.

Number 1 Reason Why Practicing GRE AWA is Important: Inflated Scores During Practice:

This is the single most important thing to consider when we talk about the importance of the essay section. Students normally tend to skip the essay section when they take practice tests, so they can directly go to the first section of Math/Verbal. Though this might seem like the obvious choice to you, you should consider the aftereffects before jumping into conclusions.

Think about it. The GRE is not a typical test that you encounter at college or elsewhere. It is a marathon. An intense, 3 hour 45 minute journey, which obviously you aren’t accustomed to. Now, if you skip the essay section during practice, you’ll be forfeiting 60 minutes of the total test time, which means you are going to have to sit for 2 hours and 45 minutes only.

This translates into an inflated overall score during practice, because you are just that much more active than you will be on test day. So, you get accustomed to sitting for 2 hours 45 minutes for the test, and your brain is hardwired to concentrate for that much time only. But, on test day, you still have two more sections to finish after you complete 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Do you get the point? It’s that extra one hour of concentration that requires sudden attention from your brain, which it sadly isn’t ready for. This is exactly why thousands of students score very low on their last two to three sections. They simply aren’t ready for the extra time, because their brains feel tired already. So, if you don’t skip the essay during practice, you’ll be writing in the exact test conditions as on test day, thereby training your brain for the big encounter.

There are a few other important reasons why you should not skip off AWA during practice , and we have discussed them separately.

How Long Should My Essay Be?

The essay graders are aware that you only get 30 minutes to write each AWA essay and they also know that you won’t be able to cover every possible argument, reason and rebuttal. Hence they do not expect you to write a super long detailed analysis of the issue or argument given to you. Remember that most GRE test takers won’t be able to find time to cover everything they would like to cover on the test.

So, how long should your AWA essay be? We see students wondering about this all the time and we know you would like to know about it too. ETS has not spoken out about the ideal length of an essay, and there is no word on the word limit as such. But there seems to be a pattern that appears on GRE sample essays that come along with the ETS official guide to the GRE.

When closely observed, there is a significant increase in the number of words from a 5.0 graded essay and a 6.0 graded essay. The reality is, longer essay is usually better. To analyze further on this topic, we have done a bit of research, and found out an interesting relation between essay length and the final score. If you look at the statistics below, you will have to concur with me. Longer essays usually score better on every essay topic.

If you are a long-essay fan and insist to pen a high scoring AWA essay on the GRE, you should write anywhere between 500-600 words. Don’t ask us why. The research shows that’s how it is, and if it true for a sample of 500 students, it must be true on a larger scale as well.

A column chart with average word count for essays from 500 students

As you can see, the longer the essay, the higher the grades. Notice that a 5+ point essay has length exceeding 500 words. Another interesting fact is, it seems as if 600 is an upper limit for word count. If you go beyond 600 words, you can see how the scores go down. This isn’t surprising, though. Almost no student on this planet can write a perfect 800 word essay under pressure in 30 minutes. If someone is shooting for a high word count, they are surely sacrificing on quality. So, it’s safe to say that 500-600 is what you should be looking at.

If you’d like to know more about the GRE essay length , we’ve done a separate post on that. Go check it out now.

Categorization of GRE Essay Topics

The most fascinating thing about the GRE essay section is that each and every essay topic that shows up on the real test is already published on the official ETS website. This may sound crazy because giving out the questions in advance is totally unnatural. By knowing the topics beforehand, you can prepare sample responses for all those topics and on the test day, all you need to do is just reproduce your sample response. Isn’t that a great advantage for you? You can get a perfect 6.0 score very easily!

But there’s a catch! You were expecting a few, aren’t you?

Well, there are close to 200 topics in all – far too many to practice responses in advance. Also, practicing each of these topics is not advisable as it is going to take a lot of time and effort and there is no point in mugging them up. You could as well spend this time on learning some math or vocabulary. However, there’s a good news. Just scanning through these two lists of essay topics will give you an excellent idea of the types of issues and arguments that show up on test day.

Now, most of the topics that show up on the GRE Essay section can be broadly grouped into five categories. I made things a bit easy for you and listed those five categories below. Take a look.

Government/Politics
Sciences and Technology

So, next time when you practice writing an essay response, make sure you write at least an essay from each of these categories.

How do I get ideas for the essay?

This is most likely the second most frequently asked question in our support mails by students around the world. It’s because a large number of issue and argument prompts on the official essay pool are hard to understand correctly. And when you don’t understand something, how can you write about that something?

So, what can you do about to solve this problem? Here are a couple of things you should work on:

If you were asked to write about a topic from out of nowhere, you would struggle for ideas. But when you already know that there could only be five categories from which your essay topics can show up, then you can turn the table in your favor. You should keep a few related examples for each one of these categories (i.e. education, arts, politics, technology, philosophy) as they will be handy and save you precious time on the test day.

Also, the essay prompts are full of obscure vocabulary and hence are hard to comprehend. Since, every essay prompt that could appear on the GRE is openly accessible on the official ETS website, you should give them a read through. While reading, you should also make note of all the unfamiliar words and later learn them. Learning these new words will ensure that you understand the topic well or at least allow you to take a very good guess.

How to get your essays graded?

Believe it or not, one of the most frequent questions that we receive from students around the world, is how they can get their essays graded. That is a good question, actually. Given the fact that there are so many practice tests for the GRE where you get your Math and Verbal sections graded, there is not even one practice test in the entire world that can grade your AWA score for you. If you are wondering why, it is because it is not at all easy to grade your essay instantaneously.

Think about it. Even on the test day, you will only receive your Math and Verbal scores, but not the AWA score. ETS itself takes about 7-10 days to give you an official report of your AWA score. It is that difficult to assess an essay. Plus, it is required that a human grader reads and grades your essays, if you want an accurate score. Which is obviously impossible if you are taking a practice test at home.

So what can one do? Is there no way to get your AWA essays graded? Well thankfully, there are quite a few options that you can consider. We’ve listed down all the available options, and it is up to you to decide which of them you want to choose.

5 Ways to Get Your AWA Essays Graded

Ets score it now.

The ETS Score It Now, is a great feature available for you to get your essays graded. For a small amount of $13 dollars, the ETS Essay Grader will grade two of your essays. You can submit any two of your essay responses, and the software will get back to you with a graded score of your AWA. Now, for most students around the world, and especially for those from the developing world, $13 is quite a lot of money.

And that is probably the reason why most students don’t even know that such a facility is available. We must agree, that even we at CrunchPrep have never used the service ourselves, or know any student who has, simply because we did not need to. Our expert tutors, on the other hand, have been grading student essays for free for a long time now. But nevertheless, we’re pretty sure that the ETS Score It Now feature will get you an accurate score, because well, it’s ETS who developed it.

And there is one more downside with this feature. The score is all you get, when you submit your essays. No feedback. Now, you would expect that ETS would give you some valuable tips to improve your score, but unfortunately, that $13 you spend is only going to get you a couple of numbers from ETS. So, unless you don’t need feedback, you are really not improving on the essay, and you have money to spend, you should definitely try and consider some other alternatives to this service offered by ETS.

Friends, Family, and Experts

Yes. However unbelievable it might seem, your friends can sometimes help you get better marks. They can help you identify the mistakes you did not find obvious enough, and you also get an outsider’s opinion on your essays, and therefore on your points of view. Now, even though your friends might be untrained, or unaware of the GRE AWA grading system, having a second pair of eyes look at your writing can be really beneficial to finding your flaws. Plus, you receive feedback then and there, right on your face, and it is sometimes the easier way to learn.

But before you let your friends or family judge your essays, you should tell them beforehand that you only had 30 minutes to write your essay, and so they should not expect you to write an award-winning piece. You should also tell them to pay attention to, and then judge you on the following aspects of your essay: structure, logical flow of ideas, and persuasiveness of examples. They should ideally not be looking for impressive words or sentence framing, but it is just an added bonus.

If however, you are too shy to ask your friends or family, try asking an experienced professor at your college, preferably a professor in linguistics or someone who is really good at formal, written English language. These professors not only give you an accurate assessment of your essays, but will also give you valuable insights as to where exactly you can improve your writing skills.

Self-Evaluation

When you don’t have access any professors or wise friends who can help you evaluate your AWA essays, the best option you are left with, is you. Self-evaluation, though most of the time not recommended, can be a really useful option for you. There are hundreds of mock essays on the internet, and with a simple google search, you can get access to various essays for the GRE. Even the ETS website has a few sample answers for essays, and the same questions have sample answers which are purposefully written to mirror a 6.0, or a 5.0 level essay, for example.

So, if you can compare your response with those on the internet, you can roughly estimate whether your answer is closer to the 4.0 or the 5.0 sample. If you can do this a lot of times, you will begin to see a definite pattern, which can help you estimate your average AWA score. Also, most mock essays usually have an explanation at the end, which explain why they have been given their respective scores. This really helps you see if your essay is lacking in similar ways.

This sounds rather difficult, and it actually a really complex and time taking process, which is why you should try and take this approach as a last measure; if you cannot find any other alternative helpful enough.

Internet Strangers

If you are an internet geek, you would probably agree that sometimes, internet strangers are really helpful in nature. There are many GRE forums like Urch , PaGaLGuY , etc, where you will find hundreds, if not thousands, of GRE experts and aspirants, who wouldn’t mind lending a hand. Thousands of GRE aspirants visit these forums every single day, and if you can post your essay and ask for some feedback, more often than not, someone will provide you with the necessary assistance. While this someone may or may not be an expert, it often helps to have a second opinion from someone in your niche.

GMATAWA.com

Alright. We’ve saved the best for the last. GMATAWA.com is probably the most fantastic resource out there, when it comes to grading your essays. It was developed to grade GMAT AWA essays, but rest assured, there’s not much difference between GMAT and GRE AWA essays. The basic structure of essays is the same everywhere, and this website is really helpful in grading your essays.

The grading happens instantaneously, and as soon as you submit your essay, you will receive a composite AWA score, along with various metrics on which your essay has been graded. We, at CrunchPrep, assure you that, other than ETS Score It Now , this is probably the most accurate AWA rater you will see, and you can expect a similar AWA score on your exam as well. So, make full use of this feature, and assess your writing strengths and weaknesses. However, you should remember that the website allows you to grade only 10 essays per email address, so choose wisely which essays you will be sending.

So, those are the five ways that you can get your AWA scores graded. Most often, more than one of the resources mentioned above will definitely be helpful to you. And by the way, remember this: Only two things can make you a better writer – Practice, and Feedback.

Issue Essay vs Argument Essay: 11 Key Differences

The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section of the GRE asks you to complete two separate but complimentary writing tasks: The Issue Essay and the Argument Essay. Each task tests your analytical writing skills, including the assessment of your critical thinking skills. Both these essay questions are allotted 30 minutes each and are scored on a scale of 6.0. And those are the only similarities between them both.

There are lots of differences between these two types of AWA essays that a majority of test takers are unfortunately unaware of. It is common to think that since both these are essay questions, there aren’t many differences between them. And most of the errors that students commit in this section are due to the confusions that exist between these two essay types. GRE Issue Essay and GRE Argument Essay are very different in nature, and hence you need different strategies to tackle them. We will go deep into each of these essay questions you will see on the GRE, but for now, remember that the GRE Issue Essay requires you to construct and support your opinions on a particular ‘issue’ that has been given to you, whereas the GRE Argument Essay requires you to validate the authenticity, or the logical correctness of an argument that someone else has constructed, without letting your opinions interfere with the task. Got the difference? Now, let’s move on to the finer details.

Issue Essay vs Argument Essay:

1. your view vs. their view:.

The GRE Issue Essay basically tests your ability to present an argument with your views, and your ability to convince the reader to agree to your point of view. As you can clearly see here, you should include your own views and add valuable points to your response, in order for the reader to be convinced to agree with you. On the other hand, the GRE Argument Essay requires you to completely analyze a brief argument written by another author, and to effectively critique the argument or the author’s point of view, by providing sufficient evidences, and by asking logical questions.

2. General Topic vs. Specific Topic

In an Issue Essay, the debatable topic that has been given to you to analyze, is very general in nature and can be from any field. It hence doesn’t usually require you to have a very deep knowledge of the topic. The issue is simply provided as a statement, and your job is to pick a side, stick to it until the end without fiddling around, and present your points of view, your analysis, and your final conclusions in a suitable manner.

However, in an Argument essay, the author himself already presents a case with his/her supporting evidences in the form of a paragraph. Your job is to see how logical the argument sounds, and check whether this argument is right or not, whether the argument has been made on solid grounds, with sufficient evidences or not. You should then effectively critique the argument, by choosing sides. If you choose to substantiate the author’s point of view, you can cite your own examples to strengthen the points, and if you wish to go against the given point of view, then you must be able to ask comprehensive questions that check the validity of the evidences provided in the argument.

3. Analysis vs. Reasoning:

The directions for answering the Issue and Argument essays are also different. The directions given for an Argument Essay read somewhat like this:

“Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on the assumptions and what the implications are if the assumptions prove unwarranted.”

Or like this:

Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion, be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion.

And the directions given for an Issue Essay are entirely different from the Argument Essay, and unlike the Argument Essay, the Issue Essay can be accompanied with a varied set of instructions, and there is no one particular direction for you to follow. For example, on the day of your test, you may see any one of the following directions, at the end of the issue:

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the recommendation and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, describe specific circumstances in which adopting the recommendation would or would not be advantageous and explain how these examples shape your position.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.
Write a response in which you discuss which view more closely aligns with your own position and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should address both of the views presented.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim and the reason on which that claim is based.
Write a response in which you discuss your views on the policy and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider the possible consequences of implementing the policy and explain how these consequences shape your position.

4. Your Conclusion vs. Their Conclusion:

In an Issue Essay, remember that you must be able to introduce the issue at hand in your own words briefly, using your own conclusion , while in an Argument essay, the given argument must be introduced from the author’s point of view using his own conclusion . This is such an important difference between the two essays, and most students tend to do the opposite more often than not, which is why they end up with average scores. You should always be clear on whose conclusion you are taking into consideration: yours, or the authors. And this depends on whether it is an Issue Essay or an Argument Essay.

5. Reasons vs. Flaws:

The second paragraph in the Issue Essay is where you should be stating the side you have chosen, and also your reasons for standing by it. Whereas in an Argument Essay, the second paragraph begins with the biggest flaw that you have identified in the argument made by the author. You should also discuss how his conclusion made by the author overlooks this major flaw. The flaws in the author’s presented argument must be identified before you start writing your response, which makes it easy for you while critiquing the argument.

6. Real Examples vs. Hypothetical Examples:

In the Issue Essay, the body paragraphs (paragraphs 2, 3, and 4) must definitely involve relevant real world examples that support your chosen claim. Remember that the examples you provide must not only be relevant, but they must be real world, true examples. Which means, you cannot create examples out of thin air, on your own. But, in an Argument essay, you have the flexibility to create your own examples, as long as they are relevant to the given topic, and as long as they efficiently substantiate the argument that you are trying to make. The flaws made by the author that you have identified, must be stated with explanations and solid examples, which can sometimes be fake, as long as they fit the scenario you are trying to explain.

7. Appreciating vs. Questioning:

The conclusion statement in an Issue Essay always involves agreeing with the opposing viewpoint in one or two statements. Even though you might not like agreeing with the opposing viewpoint, you should mention that it can be right in a few instances too. You should do this in order to show your emotional maturity level. But, in an Argument essay, the conclusion statements ends on a note of doubt, where you claim that the argument may have one or more valid points but is otherwise entirely flawed, needs more plausible explanations, and requires more solid examples for it to be valid.

8. Agreeing vs. Disagreeing:

Agreeing to the point of view given in the Issue Essay gives you more points to write, since more often than not, the issue presented to you is a general topic, and there will be few points to go against, while there will be plenty of points to support the given claim in the issue. But we still advise students to go the negative route. We will discuss this later on.

But the scenario is entirely different when it comes to the Argument Essay. The Argument given is deliberately made to sound negative, and since the given argument requires a critical analysis of the presented claims rather than your own perspectives, you can, and hence should, go against the author’s point of view. Since more often than not the author’s point of view will be flawed, you will have lots of points to write, and it becomes easier for you to attack the author’s argument instead of trying to support it.

9. Limitation vs. Liberty:

A very important point you should remember is that in an Argument Essay, you should only prove that the evidences supporting the conclusion are inadequate, not that the conclusion itself is wrong. The conclusion is always right, but you should doubt or question the authenticity of the conclusion, meaning, ask how the author came to such a conclusion without sufficient supporting claims. But it is never wise to say that the conclusion itself is wrong, so you should rather limit yourself to saying that the conclusion needs more evidences. On the other hand, in an Issue essay you have the liberty use anything and everything to support your claim. Because the topic given is very general in nature, you may use any evidences to support your statements, even if they say that the conclusion is wrong.

10. Statement vs. Evidence:

The Issue Essay depends on outside, credible facts, because there are no evidences provided within the issue. The issue question is a simple, generalized statement, and there will be no evidences provided. Which is why you should go search for your own evidences, and decide if you want to support or question the conclusion made by the author. But the Argument Essay already has its own evidences provided within the paragraphs, which you will have to analyze and critique.

11. Two Sides vs. One Claim:

The Issue Essay is always like a two sided coin, presented as a contestable topic with two sides where you have the option to go with the side you can present best. The Argument Essay however does not have two sides for you to choose. It has only one claim which must be analyzed and critiqued.

In the GRE, AWA Section is very important as it shows off your communication skills and writing abilities. Looking out for these common differences between the Issue Essay and the Argument Essay, will help you avoid mistakes and prevent misconceptions. A better understanding of these differences and sufficient practice will help you score high in this section.

7 Major Factors That Boost Your AWA Score

It is important to note that the essay graders are reading your essay in a fairly short amount of time, usually between half a minute to two minutes max. So, rest assured that they are not going over your responses with a fine-toothed comb. Nor do the graders have any rulebook which they have to follow in order to add or subtract points from your overall score. There is no rule that says “subtract .5 points for every 3 grammatical errors in the essay.” Or “Add 1 point for every 5 impressive GRE words used in the essay.”

The graders are there to assess your essay holistically. Which means, they are gauging its overall effectiveness, and then assessing it, as humans. But how do they gauge effectiveness? Are there any metrics that usually have in mind while going through the essays? Yes. Fortunately, there are 7 major factors that that may stand out to a grader and help influence your overall AWA score.

Organization

Organization is given the foremost importance by many graders. And it isn’t that hard to understand why. Essays that are well organized are, in fact, easy to read. That’s important because you don’t want to make the grader’s job any more difficult than it already is. The grader has only a couple of minutes to read your entire essay, and poorly organized essays are hard to follow. This will lead the grader to give you a score lower than you actually deserve. But on the other hand, a well-organized argument is easy to follow. Since the graders are looking at your analytical abilities, it helps if they can follow your argument.

If you organization is unclear, however, then your argument is also likely to come across as unclear. In the next chapters, we will be discussing more about how your essay should be organized in order to get a high score.

Syntactical variety is a very key aspect of writing quality content. Your essays should always have a proper syntax, and you should be using a variety of sentences to make your writing look professional enough to get a perfect score. Syntax is a fancy word for how you organize words into sentences. And you already know how important organization is. You should always try to write clear sentences that are crisp and easy to understand. Unlike what most students believe, you don’t have to use extensive vocabulary, unless they really fit into the scenario. So, save the GRE vocabulary for Text Completion, and write your essays simply yet creatively. Again, you should remember that your grader has to read hundreds of essays on the same day, and they sometimes will not be thrilled to untangle a complex sentence that you have used. So, they naturally skip that sentence and read further. So, it is always better to write clearly and simply than to go for risky propositions and complex sentence structures.

A general finding is that longer essays tend to score higher than their shorter counterparts. This may be attributed to various obvious reasons. First of all, if you have written a pretty long essay, it means that you have a lot of insight into the given topic and you are able to address numerous issues relevant to the discussion. Second, if you can write a 500 word essay coherently within 30 minutes, you will be considered as a voracious writer in general. These are the abilities that are usually likely to impress a grader.

But, make sure that the quality of the essay is maintained throughout the length and breadth of your essay, for, if you don’t maintain quality, you might come off as someone who is just trying to impress but is unable to organize and prioritize their thoughts. Long essays that are clearly organized, use professional language, and contain strong supporting evidences, and give enough reasons to the grader to give you a better score. We’ll soon discuss more on this.

Your essay response should definitely contain quality instances of premises, facts or reasons given to support the conclusion that you are trying to make. Your essay needs to contain some sort of supporting evidence, whether it be logical, statistical, factual, or other forms of justifications. Without proper support, your essay will not be able to effectively develop a firm position on the given argument or issue, and it certainly fails to persuade the reader’s opinion. So, make sure you always look for supporting evidences, and provide them wherever needed.

Like discussed erstwhile, you’re going to have to come up with a lot of examples that help illustrate the point you’re trying to prove, if you want to make your essay stand apart from the rest of the pack. Since test takers have a mere 30 minutes to write these essays and will never know the topic beforehand, the graders are used to seeing a lot of hypothetical examples. And this is completely okay. As long as you make sure that the examples fit the point you are trying to explain, it is completely fine. But the way to make your essay stand out is to use real life examples. I know it is very difficult, but if you are lucky enough to have some background about the given topic, you should try to include an expert opinion within the essay, and if you can, you should try and add relevant facts, statistics, and case studies to your essay.

Although the AWA does not test your grammar skills and the caliber of your writing, if your essay has a lot of grammar errors and spelling errors, it raises a serious red flag in the mind of the graders. This often happens because students tend to think that they can outsmart the grader by using fancy sounding words once in a while. While doing this doesn’t hurt, it is important to remember that you should only use words you actually know. Sometimes, students might not know the exact meaning, or even worse, the spelling of a big word that they heard somewhere, but they still go ahead and use it in a sentence. And obviously, they will be wrong, one way or the other. Now, while spelling is not one of the criteria the graders look for in your essay, nothing gives them a red flag like reading “Sevaral entreprenuers” or “primery hypothesys”. These are regular words used every day, and if you cannot spell them right, your score is bound to go down. Remember that unlike MS Word or other desktop word processors, there is no spell check or grammar check available on the GRE AWA. So, don’t hurt your score by using words whose spellings you don’t know.

The word processor on the GRE is quite basic in nature. You’ll have basic keyboard functions, plus three other features: cut, copy, paste, and undo. And that’s all. No other shortcuts or spell checks or other advanced features like bold and underline. Now, these functions work exactly as they do on your computer. You can cut text from a portion of your essay and paste it in at a different point. Or you can use undo to delete your typing. Use these features and reduce the time you spend on editing your essay. Learn how to use these features, if you are new to them, and practice speed typing at home.

This is really essential in these days of email and text messaging, where most of the younger population use chat language and shortened forms of words like lyk, hw, wat, imma etc. While this form of English is of no good anywhere in your life, it is especially frowned upon by the GRE community. So, if you find yourself using these sort of words in your essay, which has often happened in the past with many students, you will see your score go down suddenly and rapidly. So, it wouldn’t hurt to do a little typing practice at home before test day.

So, those are the seven major factors that help you boost your essay score on the GRE. You should analyze your AWA essays whenever you take a practice test, and see if your essays have all of these.

The 6 Step Process to Conquer GRE Analytical Writing

Here we discuss the step by step process you should implement, if you want to write powerful AWA essays in under 30 minutes and get a 6.0 score. Each of these steps discusses what you should exactly do, so as to make things easier for you on test day. All you need to do is follow these steps during practice, and get these tips into your head without much effort. Though the Issue and Argument Essays are quite similar when it comes to answering, we have given you separate step by step process to ace them both.

AWA Issue Essay:

The Analysis of an Issue essay tests your ability to “explore the complexities of an issue or opinion and, if appropriate, to take a position that is informed by your understanding of those complexities.” What this means is you should properly analyze the given issue and take a strong position: either negative or positive, and then elucidate examples as to why you have chosen that particular side.

The specific directions for the issue essay task are given like this: “In this section, you will need to analyze the issue presented and explain your views on it. There is no “correct” or “best” answer. Instead, you should consider various perspectives as you develop your own position on the issue.”

Before you begin writing your response, you should take a couple of minutes to think about the issue and plan a proper response before you begin writing. This helps you organize your ideas and develop them fully. Make sure to leave sufficient time to reread your response and make any revisions that you think necessary.

Following are the six simple steps that you should follow in the same order, if you want to pen down a powerful AWA Issue essay.

Step 1: Read the Essay

Obviously, this must be your first step. But you don’t just read the essay. You must perform a ‘smart read’. A smart read is where you read the prompt and figure out the central issue, and jot down this issue on your scratch paper, including some of the important concepts from the given topic. This is what more than 95% of students fail to do. Rather than juggling all your thoughts inside your mind, it is a lot easier to pen down whatever you have understood from reading the prompt in your own words.

Your work on this first step gets you grounded for the essay ahead. After reading the given issue, and writing it down in a few concise words, you should be able to understand exactly what the issue is and also what some of the crucial concepts related to that issue are.

Step 2: Brainstorm Reasons and Examples

This is perhaps the most crucial step of all, and this step is also where most of the heavy lifting gets done. Once you know what points you want to prove and what examples you will use to prove that point, writing the essay will be very easy. Half of the duty lies in brainstorming efficient examples and supporting reasons to supplement your point of view. So, make sure you spend adequate time on this step. Pre-planning before you start writing is of the utmost importance, because then, you will have a continuous flow of thought while writing, and there won’t be any wastage of time. If you start writing without thinking through the issue or planning the structure of your essay, you run the risk of wasting time on editing and re-editing your points.

Or even worse, you might reach a dead end and there is no more evidence left with you to substantiate your point of view, but you’ve already spent 20 minutes on the essay that you cannot go back and write a fresh piece. So, it is important that you take the time to brainstorm some examples and then pick a side. After you’ve written down the central issue and the key concepts, you should ideally make a “pro” and “con” list on the scratch paper. Start thinking of reasons for both agreeing with and disagreeing with the given issue. Once you have enough reasons to pick a side, you can move further. You should think about how your personal experiences relate to the issue at hand. Think about things you have observed or experienced in daily life, read about in magazines or newspapers, or even heard about from your family members and friends.

Next, you should be coming up with some examples of your own, that support or illustrate your point of view. Good supporting examples can be the difference between a score of 4.0 and 6.0, so it is worth spending a little time trying to generate them. Don’t spend more than two or three minutes on this part because you can still write a good essay without perfect examples.

Step 3: Pick a Thesis

After you have some reasons and examples for side that you have chosen to go with, you will have to pick a proper thesis based on which you will write your opinion. This is because you don’t have to actually believe the position you write about; sometimes, you may disagree with the issue at hand, but find it easier to come up with examples and reasons for the other side of the argument. So, you need to decide which thesis you are comfortable writing about. Don’t mull over it for minutes together. Just choose whichever thesis allows you to write the strongest essay. In most cases, you find the “con” side easier to argue. You can find a lot of examples that way. And that is completely fine.

Now your thesis needs to state why you believe this position is correct. Take a moment to think about this, and jot your thesis down on your scratch paper. Now you are ready to outline you essay.

Step 4: Outline Your Essay

Don’t start writing your essay altogether. Instead, outline your essay in the direction you want to take. Figure out what you want to write in the introduction, how you want to start off, and how you want to end the conclusion. Then, figure out what you want to write in the body paragraphs. More importantly, you will have to consider how to introduce the opposing side of the argument and how counter it with your point of view. Mentioning the other side of the coin makes the graders think that you are mature enough to have considered the various perspectives on the issue, without going ahead blindly based on intuition.

Step 5: Write Your Response

If you have finished all the previous steps properly and as planned, then this is by far the easiest step of all. All you need to do is write your response in a proper order, something that looks like this:

Introduction – hook the reader with an amazing intro and state your most important thesis
Agreeing to the given issue
Bringing up the negative side of the issue along with supporting facts and quotes
Building up the negative side further with examples and support

This is the most basic essay outline, and the most famous out there. But you can also follow an unconventional structure and still write a great essay. Some of the other structures that you can follow are:

Introduction
First argument for the side you take
Refute your first take and argue for the opposite side
Second argument for the side you take
Refute your take again and argue for the opposite side

This structure allows you to take a neutral step, and hence interweave the arguments for both sides, just like in a debate.

Another structure that can be used in many situations is:

Argument for your side
Argument against your side
Conclusion: evaluate both sides and arrive at thesis

This structure is probably the hardest of all, but has the advantage of being new and uncommon. Graders will definitely appreciate a new structure once in a while, and tend to reward essays that move beyond the norm.

But, the point is, the writing part of the essay should really be the easiest part. Most people who think they have trouble writing actually don’t have difficulty with writing, but they have trouble figuring out what exactly they are trying to say. So if you’ve completed the previous steps, you should know more or less what it is that you want to say about the topic.

Step 6: Proofread

Proofreading is another step that is often neglected, mainly because test takers don’t have the time to. They think they cannot afford to waste one or two minutes proofreading the essay, while they can use the same time to write an additional sentence or two. But as a matter of fact, a perfect 400 word essay gets a higher score than an imperfect 450 word essay. So, you should rather focus on improving what you have already written, and try to spend at least three to four minutes on proofreading what you have written.

Since you don’t have a spell checker on the AWA, you don’t know if you misspelled any word in a hurry. So, be sure to check every single word, and try to refine your essay as much as you can, before the time runs out. Make sure you have all the necessary parts of your essay and the examples you meant to use. Doing these things will clean up the overall appearance of your essay and can only positively affect your score.

AWA Argument Essay

While the Analysis of an Issue task measures your ability to create your own argument, the Analysis of an Argument essay measures your ability to evaluate someone else’s argument. In the words of the test writers, the argument essay tests “your ability to formulate an appropriate and constructive critique of a specific conclusion based upon a specific line of thinking.”

There are two key points in these directions; “evaluate the argument,” and most importantly (it’s so important the directions place it in italics), “do not present your own views on the subject!” Some test takers end up basically writing an analysis of an issue essay when they are supposed to be writing an analysis of an argument essay. Your job here is simply to evaluate and critique the argument presented, not offer your own position on the subject. If you do not answer the question appropriately, you can say goodbye to a good score.

The steps for the Analysis of an Argument essay are somewhat similar to the steps for Analysis of an Issue:

Step 1: Evaluate the Argument

The Analysis of an Argument task presents you with a passage exactly like the passages found on Critical Reasoning questions. Your first task is to break the argument down into its conclusion and premises. Once you have the conclusion and the premises, the next step is to find the assumptions underlying the argument.

Step 2: Brainstorm Assumptions

These arguments are usually full of holes, even more so than Critical Reasoning arguments. You should be able to find two or three major assumptions necessary to make the conclusion work. Look for the common argument patterns: causal, sampling, and analogy. Of course, there may be a lot of assumptions spread around the entire argument, but you only need two or three good assumptions to construct your essay. Now that you have the major assumptions, you can plan the general format of your essay.

Picking a thesis on the argument section is rather easy and involves just one step. Just assume that whatever assumptions that the author has made have no evidences, and go completely negative on that, and prepare a thesis in your mind in that direction.

Once you have laid out the assumptions of the argument, you need to evaluate the strength of these assumptions. Since your task is to evaluate and critique the logic of the argument, you must consider how viable these assumptions are. Generally, the arguments on the GRE are poorly reasoned, so you should basically be looking for reasons the assumptions fail to lead to the conclusion. Think about ways you could weaken and strengthen the argument. A typical essay plan looks like this:

Introduction: Describe the premise and point out the flaws or state your intention
Detail first assumption; explain problems with it and how to weaken/strengthen the argument
Repeat for second assumption
Repeat for third assumption
Conclusion: Give final evaluation of the validity of the argument

This is the most basic format for the argument essay, but feel free to make changes as and when you need. You may also use one of the following structures that are less commonly used.

Introduction: Describe the premises, conclusion, and assumptions of the argument
Weaken the argument by attacking the assumptions
Strengthen the argument by bolstering the assumptions
Conclusion: Present final evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the argument

Another variation goes right to the assumptions in the argument:

Detail first assumption; explain problems with it and how to weaken/strengthen the argument.
Repeat the same for second assumption.
Repeat the same for third assumption.
Conclusion: Evaluate the strength of the argument based on the assumptions.

Step 5: Write

The writing process on the argument essay is in some ways a little easier than that of the issue essay. Because the focus of this essay is the logic of the argument, there is no need for creative prose. Instead, you are merely presenting the flaws of the given argument in an objective fashion. Your delivery on the argument essay can be straightforward and simple and you can still get a great score, provided your analysis is sound. Following is what each paragraph needs to contain.

Introduction Paragraph

Your introduction paragraph needs to lay out the basic parts of the argument and let the reader know what the purpose of the essay is. Your introduction should have these elements:

A statement of the conclusion
A statement of the premises
A statement of the essay’s purpose

Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs of an argument essay should describe the assumptions necessary to the argument and then critique them. A good critique should reveal the weaknesses of the assumptions and also show how the argument could be strengthened. Argument essays do not require specific examples and in many cases, specific examples would be inappropriate. Focus instead on dissecting the logic of the given argument. A body paragraph should have the following components:

A description of an assumption
An explanation of the weaknesses of the assumption
An evaluation of the conclusion in light of the assumption

Conclusion Paragraph

The conclusion paragraph of an argument essay doesn’t need to do much, but as with the issue essay, you need to have one. All you have to do is make a final evaluation of the soundness of the argument.

Before you leave your essay, spend one or two minutes proofreading your essay. Make sure you have all the necessary parts of your essay and that your essay is free from grammatical and spelling errors. Correct any typographical errors. Doing these things will clean up the overall appearance of your essay and can only positively affect your score.

Examples and Analyses of Perfect 6.0 AWA Essays

Now that you know how exactly you should structure your AWA essays, it is time to understand what a perfect essay looks like. In this chapter, we will discuss a couple of examples for perfect 6.0 Argument and Issue essays, and we will also analyze the reasons these essays deserve a perfect score. This will give you a basic idea of the various key aspects of the AWA essays that you should include while writing. These essays have been taken from the ETS Essay Pool itself.

Example and Analysis of a Perfect 6.0 Issue Essay

“When someone achieves greatness in any field such as the arts, science, politics, or business that person’s achievements are more important than any of his or her personal faults.”

When individuals attain greatness, their achievements are more important than their personal faults. While historians should not whitewash the personal foibles of great individuals, the impact that these mortals have had in their fields should tower over any personality defects. To focus on the personal weaknesses of great individuals is to miss the importance of their achievements.

The course of human history is decorated with individuals able to rise above their peers and reach the zenith in their fields. These individuals are often the subject of intense scrutiny from contemporaneous skeptics and later historians. But no one can lead an exemplary private life all the time; no human being is able to withstand such surveillance and historical scrutiny without personal faults coming to light. Great individuals are no exception. However, it is misguided to focus on their personal faults rather than their achievements. To do so is to miss the importance of their work, without which our culture would be worse off.

For example, Abraham Lincoln was arguably one of the greatest Presidents the United States has ever had. He managed to bring the country through a substantial revolution and to end slavery despite powerful economic and social forces working against him day and night. However, Lincoln was not a saint. He was moody and prone to depressive funks that disrupted his family life and slowly eroded his marriage. These personal faults did not reduce his success as a President. While we do not have to ignore questions about whether he was a depressive, we also should not consider them an important part of his political heritage. In contrast, many people criticize Lincoln’s decision to suspend the right of habeas corpus. This (presumed) failing is not personal in nature, but relates directly to Lincoln’s work in his field. Criticisms of this sort are entirely relevant, whereas personal criticisms are not.

Another example of a great individual dogged by criticism of his personal conduct is Albert Einstein. Einstein developed a number of the most important theories in modern physics, including an explanation of the photoelectric effect, an explanation of Brownian motion, special and general relativity, and Bose-Einstein quantum statistics. Each one of these theories would have been considered a great life’s work for a scientist; for one man to contribute this much is remarkable. However, Einstein also had life-long problems with infidelity. The fact that he cheated on his wife is in no way relevant to his accomplishments in the field of physics, and indeed most references to Einstein properly ignore it. To focus attention on the faults of his personal life is to obscure the impact he made on history.

Great individuals have personal faults, as all human beings do. Yet it is incorrect to assert that these faults detract from those individuals’ accomplishments. We are better able to appreciate the gravity of great accomplishments when we are not burying our heads in the sand, in search of personal failings.

Explanation:

The essay above deserves a perfect score, because it takes all the 7 major elements that graders look for, as we have already discussed in chapter 3: Clarity, Structure, Sentence Variety, Vocabulary, Grammar, Evidence, and Reasoning.

The thesis provided by the student is very clear and concise. There is no confusion about which side the student took. The issue essay tests how well we can present a position on an issue effectively and persuasively, and this essay passes both the tests.

The piece is also very well organized. The most popularly used structure “intro-body-body-body-conclusion” really works well for this type of an issue, and the student made good use of it. While the response included only two examples as opposed to the suggested three, the two examples presented are extremely strong. President Lincoln is an ideal case study of a leader whose greatness should be not be obscured by his domestic problems. The same can be said with Einstein; his infidelities may have wounded his family emotionally, but his contribution to modern science and technology will be remembered throughout the history of mankind. So, obviously, two of the most historic and the most apt examples were presented by the student here.

Additionally, the conclusion is substantial and does an excellent job of summing up the essay. The student uses a variety of sentences in order to make the conclusion unique, and not sounding too much like the introduction itself. He/She does a great job of restating the introduction paragraph without sounding overly redundant. Lastly, this essay is extremely well-written, and shows the student’s grasp over written English language. The grammar and syntax are almost flawless, and it is hard to write a better essay response to this issue, in under 30 minutes.

These are the reasons why this essay deserves a straight 6.0 score.

Example and Analysis of a Perfect 6.0 Argument Essay

The following appeared in the editorial section of a national news magazine:

“The rating system for electronic games is similar to the movie rating system in that it provides consumers with a quick reference so that they can determine if the subject matter and contents are appropriate. This electronic game rating system is not working because it is self-regulated and the fines for violating the rating system are nominal. As a result an independent body should oversee the game industry and companies that knowingly violate the rating system should be prohibited from releasing a game for two years.”

Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. Point out flaws in the argument’s logic and analyze the argument’s underlying assumptions. In addition, evaluate how supporting evidence is used and what evidence might counter the argument’s conclusion. You may also discuss what additional evidence could be used to strengthen the argument or what changes would make the argument more logically sound.

The argument claims that the electronic games rating system, although similar to the movie rating system, is not working because it is self-regulated and violation fines are nominal; Hence, the gaming rating system should be overseen by an independent body. Stated in this way the argument fails to mention several key factors, on the basis of which it could be evaluated. The conclusion relies on assumptions, for which there is no clear evidence. Therefore, the argument is rather weak, unconvincing, and has several flaws.

First, the argument readily assumes that because the electronic game rating system is self-regulated, it is not working well. This statement is a stretch and not substantiated in any way. There are numerous examples in other areas of business or commerce, where the entities are self-regulated and rather successful. For instance, FIA, the Formula1 racing organization is self-regulated. Yet, the sport is very popular and successful, drawing millions of spectators around the world each year. Tickets are rather expensive, races are shown on pay-per-view, and nearly all drivers are paid very well.

Another example is the paralleled movie rating system that the argument mentions. The author fails to clarify whether it is working well, but it is clear that the movie rating system is pretty well received by people, who often base their decisions to go see a movie with kids or not on the movie rating. It has never been a case when someone would feel cheated by the movie rating and express disappointment afterwards. Since the movie rating system is also self-regulated, it follows that this regulatory method is working pretty well and it is not obvious how it can be the reason for the poor electronic game rating system. The argument would have been much clearer if it explicitly gave examples of how the self-regulatory system led to bad ratings and customer dissatisfaction.

Second, the argument claims that any violation fees for bad electronic game ratings are nominal. It thus suggests that this is yet another reason for the rating system not working. This is again a very weak and unsupported claim as the argument does not demonstrate any correlation between the monetary amount of the fines and the quality of the electronic game rating system. In fact, the argument does not even draw a parallel with the mentioned movie rating system and its violation fines. If any such correlation had been shown for the movie rating system, which supposedly works well, then the author would have sounded a bit more convincing. In addition, if the argument provided evidence that low violation fines lead to electronic game manufacturers to ignore any regulations with respect to the game rating system, the argument could have been strengthened even further.

Finally, the argument concludes that an independent body should oversee the game industry and companies that violate the rating system, should be punished. From this statement again, it is not at all clear how an independent regulatory body can do a better job than a self-regulated one. Without supporting evidence and examples from other businesses where independent regulatory bodies have done a great job, one is left with the impression that the claim is more of a wishful thinking rather than substantive evidence. As a result, this conclusion has no legs to stand on.

In summary, the argument is flawed and therefore unconvincing. It could be considerably strengthened if the author clearly mentioned all the relevant facts. In order to assess the merits of a certain situation, it is essential to have full knowledge of all contributing factors.

The piece is also very well organized. The most popularly used structure “intro-body-body-body-conclusion” really works well for this type of an argument, and the student made good use of it. The response included sufficient examples that are pretty solid, and more than satisfy the student’s take. The examples provided are also real-life in nature, as opposed to many hypothetical examples that students write. This gives this essay response quite an edge.

The student uses a variety of sentences in order to make his/her point strong enough to concur with. He/she does a great job of restating the introduction paragraph without sounding overly redundant. All the paragraphs are very well written, and the structure, writing, and vocabulary used by the student shows the student’s grasp over written English language. The grammar and syntax are almost flawless, and it is hard to write a better essay response to this issue, in under 30 minutes.

6 Types of False Reasoning You Should Avoid on the Argument Essay

In order to confuse test takers, the AWA essays will always contain some flawed reasoning or illogical statements. In particular, some of the paragraphs on the AWA Argument essay will contain flawed reasoning, which can appear in many forms. While these forms can potentially be unlimited in number, most of them can be categorized into 6 groups. These are potentially the 6 types of false reasoning that you frequently see on the AWA Argument essays:

Creating stereotypes. Assuming that characteristics of a group in general apply to each member of that group.
Assuming that a certain condition is necessary for a certain outcome
Drawing a weak analogy between two things
Confusing a cause-effect relationship with a correlation (famously known as post hoc ergo propter hoc, i.e. correlation does not imply causation)
Relying on inappropriate or potentially unrepresentative statistics
Relying on biased or tainted data (methods for collecting data must be unbiased and the poll responses must be credible)

Almost all of the argument essays contain more than one of the following flaws, so it is important that you are aware of each and every possible flawed reasoning.

1. The Stereotypical Assumption

We see this happen quite often in our everyday life. People resort to creating stereotypes of a particular person, or a group of people. However, common sense says that it is pretty unrealistic to describe a group and then expect that every single member fulfills the very same characteristics.

For example, saying that ‘Girls are weaker than guys’ or that ‘Asians are geniuses’ is just plain wrong, because in both the cases, the statements are generalized in nature. While both the statements can seem to be true for the most part, we all know that in the real world, some girls are stronger than guys, and that some Asians fail their tests. Which means, one cannot simply make a sweeping statement in either of the aforementioned cases.

Now, you can easily remember this type of false reasoning on the AWA, by relating it to stereotypes. We generally think of stereotypes as harmful because they unfairly limit a certain group to a predefined characteristic that often has little to no evidence. Hence, in order to avoid falling trap to this stereotypical assumption fallacy, you should immediately consider any sentence that generalizes a particular group as plain wrong, and attack that assumption when you are writing your response.

2. The Necessity Assumption:

This is a very frequent type of false reasoning that hides in plain sight. Most students simply cannot identify that this type of reasoning is wrong. The author of an argument usually assumes that a certain condition is necessary to achieve the desired result. This sounds reasonable, but the problem here is, the author simply says that it is necessary to do something to achieve something, and does not provide the necessary evidence which proves that there is no other means of achieving a similar result.

For example, the arguments says that, if students have to perform better in schools, it is necessary that the teachers be more active in the classroom.

Now, this looks like a perfectly logical statement to anyone. But the problem is, the author has not considered whether there are any other ways students can perform better in schools. The author makes a simple statement that outlines only one necessity – the teachers being active – and does not talk about the relevant evidences, or the possibility of other ways to achieve the same result. Of course, there are other factors involved: maybe students can perform better if they study every day at home, or if the school redesigns the curriculum to suit the needs of students, etc. So, you should keep in mind to attack this necessity assumption, and also to include the alternative factors or possibilities.

3. The Illogical Analogy:

Analogy is when someone comes to a conclusion about something on the basis of another thing. For example, if a giant conglomerate has doubled its sales in the last one year because it had spent over $10 million on advertising, then in order for another giant conglomerate to double its sales, it has to spend more than $10 million on advertising.

Now, on the first glance, this might seem like a logical argument. But, if you think about it carefully, it is an illogical analogy that the author has made in order to prove his/her point. The argument may seem sound enough to agree to, but one simply can’t analogize these two scenarios, even though the size of the companies is similar.

First of all, we don’t know if the two companies are based in the same country or not. The demographics in their respective countries may respond to different incentives. And there are several other factors like industry, market size, product quality, support system, target audience, consumer trends, economic situation in the country, etc., that need to be addressed, before the author can make such a comparison. Without this thorough background info, one simply can’t make this analogy, and test takers should hence not fall into such traps.

4. The Correlation – Causation Confusion:

As confusing and bemusing as the title is, this is one of the more frequent fallacies that appear on the AWA argument essays. More famously known as the post hoc fallacy, this is easily one of the most common types of false reasoning you’ll encounter on test day. So it is very important that you master it.

Many arguments try to confuse test takers by arguing that correlation and causation are one and the same. But in fact, they aren’t. There is actually a world of difference between them both. While correlation just means that two events have occurred simultaneously, causation means that one event is the result of another event. Now you understand how different these two are. To illustrate further, let us take this as an example: In the year 2000, Company X released their new computer called Series 5, and that same year, the US witnessed a huge economic recession. Again in 2008, the company released its second computer called Series 6, and the US had undergone another economic recession. So, whenever this company releases a new computer, the economy goes down.

Do you see how illogical it sounds? That is the difference between correlation and causation. The above example shows correlation, and not causation. So, one should be careful enough to understand that just because one event happens after another, it doesn’t mean that the first event caused the other to occur.

5. The Statistical Irrelevance:

You will often find that the AWA arguments cite statistical evidence to support their claims. Now, while we appreciate any kind of statistical data that further bolsters the author’s point of view, we must also be careful to analyze the relevance of the statistical data in a particular scenario.

Sometimes, the argument may cite a statistic according to a survey where a small group of people were asked a question, and based on their views, the author generalized the opinion of the people of the entire city/state/country. For example, if a survey of 1000 people in New York City say that they really need a new park in the city, does it mean that the entire population of the city feel the same? In order to draw a conclusion about anything, a larger sample is required. In order to really identify the voice of the people, the survey should at least include a majority of people in the city. If the population of New York City is 10 million, then the survey should try to include the opinions of at least half that number.

Hence, test takers should keep an eye on statistics mentioned in the arguments made by the author, and try to validate the relevance or significance of the given statistical data.

6. The Data Bias:

Sometimes, even though surveys include a large number of people or a certainly large sample space, it is not enough to conclude that the results obtained from the survey are really true. Biased data is another reason why data can be manipulated with, or tainted easily. For any survey or data to be considered legitimate it has to be collected in an unbiased, fair, and scientific manner.

For example, if a survey was conducted among children in a city, on the question “What is your favorite color?” and the children were given only two options, Blue and Red, one cannot conclude that Red is the most favorite color for the children in the city, even though 83% of the children chose Red. The survey clearly does not ask an open ended question, and is biased towards either Red, or Blue, or both. The survey is designed, consciously or unconsciously, to yield certain desired responses, and this definitely manipulates responses by providing narrow options.

Hence, test takers should question the statistical legitimacy of a survey, and question the author whether the survey or data obtained is scientific and unbiased or not.

Checklist for Argument Essay Task:

Here is a checklist you should use when you practice writing argument essays. Ask yourself these questions to identify the flaws in the given argument.

Are the facts stated in the argument real or are they just preposterous exaggerations? (Hint: you can always question the source of the information provided in the argument)
If the argument draws conclusions from any sample statistical data, then is the connection between the data and the conclusion strong?
Is the sample data taken from the group similar to the other group for which the conclusions were made?
Is the sample data significant enough?
Is the provided sample data inconclusive or invalid? Did it exclude other important factors?
Are the statements mentioned in the argument from an authority on the subject or from individuals trying to voice their concerns/opinions?
Do you have any real world examples that invalidate the conclusion? (examples from your personal experiences, from articles you read before, from the news or from historical incidents)

Is there anything missing in the argument? Maybe there is really something that should have been mentioned to make the argument more concrete.

How to Finish an Essay in 20 Minutes: 9 Effective Strategies to Save Time on the AWA Section

When it comes to acing any section on the GRE, it all boils down to mastering one key factor – time. Time is the only reason why 99% of the test takers cannot get a perfect score on the GRE, let alone on the AWA. But then, just as pretty much with everything related to the GRE, we at CrunchPrep have cracked the code in order to finish off a brilliantly written essay in under 20 minutes. That’s right, 20 minutes only.

Just as with other sections on the GRE, there are a few time saving strategies that you can adopt on test day, if you want to finish off the AWA section quickly, and still score a perfect 6.0. Here are the 9 most effective time saving strategies that you should implement on test day.

1. Finish off Introduction and Conclusion First

This is an amazing technique that not only saves time for you, but also relieves you of the pressure of writing something in reply. All you have to do is, as soon as you are ready to pen down your response, finish off writing the introduction and the conclusion paragraphs first. Don’t bother touching the other paragraphs yet.

Now you may wonder, how on earth one can write the conclusion part without ever concluding the essay in the first place. Simple. As we have already discussed in the previous chapters, you first outline your essay before you start writing it. So, by the time you are about to start penning down your response, you will have already figured out what you want to write in the introduction, how you want to start off, and how you want to end the conclusion. So, it becomes rather easy for you to get started.

Finish these two very important paragraphs as early as you can, preferably in the first 5 minutes. Now, if you can do this well, you only have three more paragraphs to write, and you have over 20 minutes of time left. You can easily write each paragraph in 5 minutes, and the entire essay will be finished before you know it.

2. Always Be Negative

Even though we asked you to pick a thesis in the previous chapters, you should know that if you want to save time, you will have to try and stay on the negative side. This applies to both the Issue and the Argument essays. If you are wondering why, you should understand how the human brain works when analyzing a controversy. It takes no time for us to point out mistakes in others, while it takes a lot of thinking and courage to appreciate something that is controversial, because our brains are evolutionarily hardwired to stay away from something foreign, in order to protect us. And given the incredibly limited time that you have on your hands, it will be easier for you to criticize the author’s point of view, than to take his/her side.

So, let us go with some prejudice here. Before you even start reading the essay question, you should be in a negative state of mind, and be ready to counter the given essay with lots of criticism. You should believe that whatever the author has written is false, no matter how logical it may seem. This sort of thinking will help you brainstorm the relevant points quickly.

3. Attack the Assumptions

In both the Issue and the Argument essay questions, the author will have made multiple assumptions in order to come to a particular conclusion. It is your job now to attack the very assumption that the author makes. There is no point in attacking mere facts, because we never know if the facts are true or false. Which means, you cannot simply claim that the facts presented are wrong. But you can always say that the assumption is wrong. So, as soon as you start reading the essay question, figure out where the author has made assumptions, and think about how you can attack them.

4. Don’t Be A Perfectionist

This is a big problem among students today, especially those who really want to get a perfect 6.0 score. Wanting a 6.0 score is okay, but the problem is, these students try to be perfectionists about everything they write. They try to make sure every little thing about their essay response is perfect. Now, while this is a good practice in normal life, you should remember that this will hit you badly on test day. You cannot simply make sure everything you write is perfect, especially when the clock is running after you, and when you are totally stressed out.

A better strategy is to keep writing even though you make mistakes, as once you think you are done with the writing part, then you can start proofreading your copy for mistakes and small errors.

5. Use the Scratch Paper

One of the biggest sins that GRE test takers commit, is that they don’t use the scratch paper to its fullest. Don’t be under the impression that the scratch paper is given only to help you solve quant problems. The scratch paper can be used effectively to score higher on the AWA section too. Use the scratch paper to pen down your thoughts as you are reading the given topic, and also make use of it to outline your essay, and to devise a proper answering strategy.

If you need more details, on how to use the scratch paper on the GRE , we have done a separate post on that. Check out more scratch paper tips and strategies here .

6. Practice Typing

If there is one thing that can help you write a 500-600 word essay in under 20 minutes, it is the ability to type fast. Considering the fact that you will take about 2-3 minutes to read and understand the given question, another 2-3 minutes to figure out what you want to write, and another couple of minutes to outline your essay, you will be left with roughly 20 minutes to write a 600 word essay. Considering the fact that you should save some time to proofread your essay, you should probably be able to type around 600 words in 15 minutes, which means, 200 words every 5 minutes.

Yes, it is possible to type a couple hundred words in 5 minutes, if you already know what you are going to write. Don’t worry about it. 200 words in 5 minutes equals 40 words per minute, which is exactly the global average for typing speed. But still, if you think you can’t type that fast, start practicing today. There are some fantastic free resources like Keybr and TypingWeb available online, that help you learn fast typing.

7. Practice Keyboard Shortcuts

Learning keyboard shortcuts can be really helpful on test day. The word processor on the GRE is quite basic in nature. You’ll have basic keyboard functions, plus three other features: cut, copy, paste, and undo. And that’s all. No other shortcuts or spell checks or other advanced features like bold and underline. Now, these functions work exactly as they do on your computer. You can cut text from a portion of your essay and paste it in at a different point. Or you can use undo (Ctrl + Z) to delete your previous typing. Use these features and reduce the time you spend on editing your essay.

8. Practice! Practice! Practice!

As straightforward as it gets. Just as with the other sections on the GRE, the more you practice writing long essays at home, the higher you score on test day. But there is a catch here: you should practice typing essays on a computer keyboard. This is rather important, because most of us today use laptops and tablet phones to communicate, and the keyboards we normally use differ greatly from those of the desktop computers. You will have to type on a desktop computer keyboard on test day, and it is recommended that you get used to the new keyboard at home itself.

9. Read The Entire AWA Question Pool

We generally don’t recommend this to every student, since most of them don’t have the time to. But if your test is months away from now, it will do you a world of good if you can go through each and every AWA question from the ETS Essay Pool. There are separate question pools for Issue Essays and Argument Essays , and they are not too many in number. You could probably finish them all in a month or two.

Remember that the AWA questions you will see on test day will be from these essay pools only . So, it won’t hurt to check them all out.

Top 101 Transitional Words and Phrases You Should Use to Score a 6.0 on the AWA Section

The difference between a normal essay and a great essay, is the way it is written. Normal essays are lifeless, and they bore readers a few lines into the story. But on the other hand, great essays meticulously use persuasive language, and gain the reader’s attention. In addition to writing compelling reasons and connecting stories, you should also include powerful vocabulary, if you want to get a perfect score. Since a lot of students who take the GRE are non-native speakers, they will not be able to naturally write essays that sound truly professional.

So, here are some of the words and phrases you should be using when you write your AWA essays. You might have seen these words countless times in books, newspapers, or magazines. But it is time for you to include them in your writings, and make your essays sound professional.

Supporting words – for instance, for example, to illustrate, to demonstrate, such as, particularly, specifically, notably

Additional support – moreover, furthermore, in addition, similarly, in the same way, with respect to, as well as

Putting same idea in a different way – in other words, to put it simply, in view of this, with this in mind, to put it differently, that is to say

Opposing words – by contrast, on the other hand, in comparison, on the contrary, instead, though, while, despite, although

Consequential words – as a result, accordingly, thereupon, thence, thus, because, for this reason, in effect

Time indicating words – immediately, formerly, currently, meanwhile, eventually, first, second, finally, previously, henceforth, in due time, subsequently

Certainty words – without doubt, most importantly, indubitably, undoubtedly, needless to say

Comparison words – in comparison, however, likewise, even so, nevertheless, nonetheless, all the same

Positive words – magnificent, grandeur, magnanimous, phenomenal, marvelous, prodigious, formidable, notable, glorious, wonderful, paramount, sublime, flamboyant

Negative words – unfounded, doubtful, questionable, oversimplified, problematic, unconvincing, unacceptable, biased, unreliable, defective, presumptuous, vague, unwarranted, weak

Against the point of view words – one cannot deny that, to be fair, it could be argued that, granted, admittedly, a stark contrast, as contrasted with, on second thoughts

Concluding words – in summary, consequently, hence, in closing, in conclusion, therefore, ultimately, to summarize, on the whole, for the aforementioned reasons

Ultimately, it is the content of the essay that really matters. If you are able to write an astounding essay, you really don’t need any advanced words or phrases. But since it is a herculean task for many students, especially the non-native students, to write a perfectly professional essay in under 30 minutes, it would definitely help if some of these words are included.

But at the same time, students should be careful enough to not simply scatter these words across the essay as they please. These words and phrases should really fit in the context of the essay, and the sentences must smoothly integrate into one another. Hence, refrain from using these words and phrases improperly, and learn when and where to use them in your AWA essay.

27 Mistakes You Should Avoid When Writing Your AWA Essays

Until now, we have discussed numerous techniques and strategies to score a perfect 6.0 on the AWA section. But, we think it would be beneficial if you have all the probable mistakes at one place, so you can safely avoid them all at once. Here are the 27 mistakes that you should strictly avoid while writing your AWA essays. Now, some of these points may sound repetitive since we have already discussed a lot up until now, but think of this as a checklist that can help you figure out the danger zones and possible pitfalls.

1. Writing a cliché ridden essay

While using cliché phrases and sentences may seem like an idea choice for anyone writing an essay, it would more often than not be detrimental to someone writing the GRE. Understanding the fact that hundreds of thousands of students write the same essays every year, you should try and be a bit different, a bit unique. Using the same examples that everyone uses really won’t help you much, because it only looks like you have lifted those lines from someone else’s passage or an online journal. So, try to use your own examples, and your own sentences while writing the AWA essays.

2. Not citing the original author

Sometimes, it would really help if you can use a killer essay quote or two, in your AWA essays. But it is important to remember that you should cite the original author, lest there is chance that you might come off as pretentious. Whenever you are quoting someone’s lines, it is customary to give them the credit. Doing this will not only reinforce your image as a trustworthy individual, but also gives the grader an impression that you are an intellectual person. After all, only uber-smart people can remember great quotes along with their authors’ names.

3. Writing mixed-up paragraphs

If you remember what we discussed about writing and organization in the previous chapters, you should recollect the fact that you must allocate separate paragraphs for every idea or point that you are writing about. Often times, test takers tend to stuff a paragraph with two or three ideas, and end up mixing it up pretty badly. This can often cause confusion, not only to the grader, but also to you. Discussing more than one point in a single paragraph is not at all recommended. Dumping all ideas into a single paragraph is a very bad idea, and shows poor organization. So, make it a point to not mix up paragraphs.

4. Giving away too much in the intro

The most important aspect about writing an article or an essay is to avoid giving away too much information in the very beginning itself. Don’t believe us? Ask any content marketer. The key to writing exceptional essays is to keep the reader intrigued until the last word. This is one of the reasons why we hate our textbooks but love fiction novels: the latter simply keep you interested until the end. So, you might want to implement the same strategy when writing your essays. Do not give away too many key points, or at least your main idea, in the first paragraph itself. There are separate paragraph for that.

5. Using irrelevant examples

Just as we already discussed multiple times throughout this guide, avoid using irrelevant examples as much as you can. Sometimes it is fine to make up your own examples, but remember that they should be very relevant to the rest of the essay. So, as much as you can, try and come up with strong and concrete examples to support your point of view.

6. Not summarizing effectively

One of the more overlooked mistakes in writing is that many test takers tend to not summarize their essays properly. A perfect conclusion paragraph not only includes the main idea or point of view that you chose to side with, but also has a neat summary of all the points that have already been discussed in the previous paragraphs. Now, this doesn’t mean you need to write them all over again, but a quick conclusive line about each paragraph would do you a world of good.

7. Introducing new points in the conclusion

Yes, this happens quite often, and is one of the major reasons why many are not getting close to that perfect AWA score. Sometimes, you finish off writing the entire body of the essay, and move on to the conclusion paragraph. As you are writing it, you are struck with a new point or an idea that you think should be on the essay at all costs. So, what do you do? You somehow try to fit that point somewhere in the conclusion paragraph, and you think it will add to your existing robust set of points. But guess what? You haven’t backed it up properly anywhere in the essay, and hence the entire point sounds irrelevant or insufficient at that point of time. So, avoid introducing new ideas or points in the last paragraph. Be content with what you have already written.

8. Writing immediately

If you have read the previous chapters thoroughly, you would understand that there is a step by step process that you need to follow in order to get closer to the 6.0 score. But, a majority of the students give in to the temporal pressure, and start off writing as soon as they read the question. This will only lead to chaos in the next few minutes, as you will find your head clogged with ideas. So, give it a minute or two, and think about what you are going to write, before you start typing.

9. Not ideating correctly

A poorly presented idea is as good as an idea not presented at all. Whatever point it is that you are trying to make, you should make it correctly. An improper presentation, or a poorly organized idea will only make your essay sound more amateur that anything else.

10. Taking too much time for ideation

As straightforward as it can it, time is the most valuable resource on the GRE. Taking too much time just to gather ideas is not at all good for your score. Almost all the essays you will see on the GRE are quite simple to criticize, and anyone with decent practice can crack the code easily. So, in order to avoid wasting too much time trying to ideate, you should do a bit of practice at home.

11. Not sticking to one side

We’ve already said it out: Go negative! There is no way an average GRE test taker can write a perfectly balanced essay response in under 30 minutes, which is why most of them tend to sway towards a particular side. You should follow suit, if you want to score higher on the AWA section. Not sticking to any one of the sides shows that you are too afraid to stand your ground, or that you are too confused to pick a side. Neither of this is a good image for you, so always pick a side no matter what.

12. Not using templates/structure

There are a few basic structures for writing the AWA, and adopting them would be a good idea, since you don’t have to reinvent the wheel all over again. We have already done most of the hard work for you, and provided some basic structures and templates that you can easily follow. If you can’t make good use of them, at least try to create your own organization or structure. Otherwise, your essay response ends up being too clumsy to understand.

13. Not being specific enough

Whichever side you choose to take, or whatever point you are trying to make, be specific. Never try to beat around the bush and expect to get away with. You are not a politician. Never use vague statements that only lead the grader to more confusion. Be very specific about your opinions, and have a clear idea of what exactly you are going to write, even if it might sound a bit negative, or a bit harsh on the author.

14. Using complex words just for the sake of using

To paraphrase Maya Angelou’s epic quote, ‘You should use a word only if you know what it exactly means.’ Keep this in mind at all times. Do not use a word just for the sake of using, and end up sounding like a novice writer who is trying to impress people he doesn’t know. Instead, use nice little words that sound simple and professional enough to get you a good score.

15. Not using transitional words

Your essay should read like a story. Every paragraph that you write should have a smooth beginning and a smooth ending, thus making the entire essay readable. This can only happen when you use transitional words and phrases that are like bridges linking one paragraph with another. Not using transitional words can make your prompt sound abrupt and hence, not perfect.

16. Not sounding confident enough

Whether it is an Issue essay or an Argument essay, you are asked to give your opinion. Which means, you are entitled to write whatever it is that you have in mind. Nobody is going to argue, or disagree with you, so there is no need to get defensive at all. Using words such as ‘I think’, ‘in my opinion’, ‘perhaps’, ‘Maybe’, etc., will give the reader the impression that you are not confident enough to put your ideas forth. So, be more confident, and more authoritative when you are writing your opinions. Write like an expert editor of a newspaper, not like a newly recruited intern.

17. Using the word ‘I’ very often

While it is perfectly alright to sound like an expert, it is not alright to sound narcissistic and repetitive. A lot of students use the word ‘I’ way too often that it puts the reader off. Yes, everybody already knows that it is you who wrote the essay and that all the ideas presented in the essay are yours. There is no point in saying ‘I think this’, or ‘I would do that’ etc. A few times is fine, but too many times isn’t welcome at all.

18. Using the same sentence structure over and over again

If you remember what we said earlier, sentence variety is as important as anything else. Using monotonous sentence structures or repetitive phrases throughout the essay is a pretty bad idea, since it tells the reader that you, as a writer, lack variety, or creativity. So, try to rephrase the same sentences and write something else that means the same. Like many other things in life, this comes with a lot of practice.

19. Not including a counter argument

Agreeing with the author to some extent will give the grader a great impression about you as a writer, but if you keep on agreeing with the author’s points of view, without including any new information from your side, you will surely come off as someone without any knowledge about the given subject. Given the fact that almost all essays come from a wide range of topics, and that they don’t need any special prior knowledge, it would be bad if you cannot counter the author’s deliberately wrong point of view along with your two cents.

20. Contradicting yourself

With so many arguments and counter arguments clogged inside your mind, and with the speeding clock on the screen, it is possible that you somehow contradict your own argument. Sometimes, when writing the third or the fourth paragraphs, test takers contradict their own opinions or points of view that they put forward in the first one or two paragraphs. This clearly shows that you get confused easily. So, don’t contradict your own statements, and always read what you have written.

21. Letting writer’s block take over your AWA

Writer’s block is when an author loses the ability to write something new. This has happened to the greatest of writers, and will probably happen to you too, if you don’t practice well enough before the test. If you are someone who is not used to writing a lot, then should start practicing for the AWA, unless you want to end up staring at the screen pondering how to begin the essay.

22. Affecting other sections due to mistakes in AWA

Also you already know, you will face the AWA section first. Don’t let the AWA section set the tone for the rest of the test. Sometimes AWA goes great, and you’ll feel extremely confident (or overconfident) about the remaining sections. Sometimes, you may not do well on the AWA and feel gusted about yourself, which affects the other sections. So, try to stay unaffected by the result. Remember; you are the one who sets the tone, not a couple of essay questions.

23. Focusing a lot on grammar and vocabulary

Even though grammar and vocabulary are really important when it comes to scoring higher on the AWA, you should not overstress their importance. Write whatever you can and as much as you can. Do not bother about silly grammatical errors or workaday vocabulary. Once you think you are done with writing, then go back and read everything, correct those grammatical mistakes, or replace those boring words with good vocabulary. But, do it only once you are done with the essay.

24. Writing unnecessarily long sentences

Mark Twain once said ‘If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.’ That shows how difficult it is to write short and concise sentences. Anybody can write long gibberish in a short time, but it takes lots of practice, time and talent to keep it simple. Now, even though you are not blessed with a lot of time during the GRE test, you should try to minimize your sentences to make them sound smarter. Don’t try to use filler words or phrases so you could increase the word count. Quality trumps quantity any day.

25. Using slang language.

Writing as if you are chatting with a friend is something that happens quite often during exams. Using chat language and shortened forms of words like u, hw, y, etc. is bound to happen, especially if you are not very adept at writing often. If however, you find yourself using these sort of words in your essay, your chances of getting a good AWA score will rapidly decrease. So, it wouldn’t hurt to do a bit of practice at home before test day.

26. Attacking the issue task as if it’s an argument

Or vice versa. It is possible to get confused between an issue essay and an argument and test takers often mistake one for the other. This could be the gravest mistake you will ever make on the AWA section, because if you cannot understand whether the given question is an Issue or an Argument task, then you cannot write a proper response at all. So, make sure you don’t get confused between the two essay formats or structures, and that you have a clear understanding of both the question types.

27. Not leaving time for proofreading

Proofreading is often neglected because test takers simply don’t have the time. They think they cannot afford to waste one or two minutes proofreading the essay, while they can use the same time to write an additional sentence or two. But as a matter of fact, a perfect 400 word essay gets a higher score than an imperfect 450 word essay. So, you should rather focus on improving what you have already written, and try to spend at least three to four minutes on proofreading what you have written.

So, this is the most comprehensive list of mistakes that you can avoid on the AWA section of the GRE. With this, we come to the end of this ultimate guide. And if this were any other guide, we would have finished it here. But since this is an advanced guide for the AWA, we would like to give you something special. Something that is exclusive to only you. In our bonus chapter, we would like to give you a bonus: A couple of super-secret templates that you can use, if you want to speed up your AWA preparation.

Bonus Chapter – Mind-Blowing Templates to Score a 6.0 on the AWA Section

This bonus chapter includes mind boggling AWA Essay templates that will get you a sure shot 6.0 score. We have created these templates after examining several hundreds of AWA essays and responses from students across the world. This chapter contains both AWA Issue Essay Template and AWA Argument Essay Template separately. Using these templates will get you guaranteed results, and you will see a perfect 6.0 score on your own essays, guaranteed.

NOTE: But wait! Just because we have given you a couple of templates, it doesn’t mean that you just copy the same content during your actual GRE test. Remember, this website gets thousands of visitors every day, and if every single one of you use the same template, very soon, all your AWA scores will be cancelled and your essay response will be held for plagiarism. We definitely don’t want that to happen, do we? So, better be careful.

We strongly advise you to use these templates as frameworks, and use them to create your own templates for both the essay questions. The templates provided here are just for reference, and it will only help you if you create similar templates for yourself, rather than using the ones given here.

Download the AWA essay template right now!

So, that’s about it. We have come to an end of this epic guide to ace the analytical writing section on the GRE. We have discussed about 71 invaluable strategies that you could use to improve your writing skills, and thereby get a perfect score on the AWA section.

This is by far the most comprehensive GRE Analytical Writing guide in the world. It was created to help you ace the Analytical Writing section in the GRE. If you think this is very helpful, or if you really loved it, share it with your friends right now! Our goal is to help as many students as we can. So what are you waiting for? Go share or tweet the living daylights out of this guide!

Download Free GRE Reading Comprehension Strategy Guide

Download the GRE AWA Templates!

Also get Free GRE tips directly in your inbox!

Download The Free GRE Guide (Valued at $30)

10 Tips to Prepare for GRE analytical writing topics

Preparing for the GRE analytical writing topics can greatly enhance your performance on the exam and boost your score. Here are the 10 expert tips to prepare for GRE analytical writing topics:

Understanding how your writing will be evaluated is crucial for effective preparation. Familiarise yourself with the GRE scoring criteria for the analytical writing section. This will give you insights into the key areas evaluators focus on, such as clarity of expression, coherence of ideas, development of arguments, and use of evidence.

The GRE analytical writing section covers a wide range of topics, including social issues, politics, science, education, and more. To prepare effectively, read articles, essays, and opinion pieces on various topics. This will expand your knowledge base, expose you to different perspectives, and enhance your ability to engage with diverse subject matters during the exam.

The analytical writing section of the GRE is time-constrained. You have 30 minutes for each essay task. Develop effective time management skills by practising timed writing sessions. Set a timer and simulate the test conditions to improve your ability to plan, organise, and write within the allocated time frame.

Familiarise yourself with the types of prompts and essay tasks that may appear on the GRE. Reviewing sample prompts and essays allows you to understand the expectations and requirements of each task. Analyse the structure, argumentation, and use of evidence in high-scoring essays to gain insights into effective writing strategies.

A well-crafted thesis statement is crucial for a successful essay. Practice formulating clear and concise thesis statements that present your main argument or position. Your thesis should provide a roadmap for your essay and guide the development of your arguments throughout the piece.

The analytical writing section assesses your ability to critically analyse and evaluate complex ideas. Enhance your analytical skills by engaging with thought-provoking materials, such as opinion pieces, research articles, and academic papers. Practice identifying strengths and weaknesses in arguments, evaluating evidence, and spotting logical fallacies.

Before you start writing, spend a few minutes outlining your essay. A well-structured outline helps you organise your thoughts, ensure logical flow, and maintain coherence in your writing. Clearly define the main points you will address in each paragraph, ensuring they align with your thesis statement.

To strengthen your arguments and demonstrate your understanding of the topic, incorporate relevant examples and evidence in your essays. This could include real-world examples, research findings, statistics, or anecdotes. Concrete evidence lends credibility to your arguments and showcases your ability to support your claims.

Practice writing essays and seek feedback from knowledgeable individuals, such as teachers, professors, or writing tutors. Their input can help you identify areas for improvement, provide insights into your writing style, and suggest strategies to enhance your analytical writing skills.

Allocate time for revising and editing your essays. After completing a draft, review it for clarity, coherence, grammar, and punctuation errors. Ensure that your arguments are well-supported, your ideas are presented logically, and your writing is concise and precise.

Understanding the GRE analytical writing section is crucial for success on the exam. By familiarising yourself with the structure and requirements of each essay task, you can better prepare for the exam. Additionally, following the tips provided, such as practising time management, studying a range of topics, developing strong thesis statements, and seeking feedback, will significantly enhance your performance.

What is the purpose of the GRE analytical writing section?

The GRE analytical writing section evaluates your ability to analyse complex ideas, construct coherent arguments, and communicate effectively in writing. It assesses your critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and writing skills.

How is the GRE analytical writing section structured?

The GRE analytical writing section consists of two tasks: the "Issue" task and the "Argument" task. In the Issue task, you are presented with a statement or claim and asked to present your perspective on the issue. In the Argument task, you are given a passage and required to analyse the logical soundness of the argument presented.

How can I improve my time management during the GRE analytical writing section?

To improve time management, practice writing essays within the allocated time limit. Set a timer and simulate test conditions. Additionally, develop an outline before writing and prioritise the most crucial points to focus on, ensuring a coherent and well-structured essay within the given time frame.

Is 3.5 good for analytical writing on GRE?

A score of 3.5 on the analytical writing section of the GRE is considered a decent score. It demonstrates a satisfactory level of writing skills and the ability to express ideas coherently. However, it's essential to note that the interpretation of a "good" score may vary depending on the specific program or university you are applying to.

What is the highest score on the GRE analytical writing section?

The highest score on the GRE analytical writing section is 6. This score reflects exceptional writing skills, strong critical thinking abilities, and the ability to present well-developed arguments and ideas effectively.

Is 3.0 analytical writing good for GRE?

A score of 3.0 on the analytical writing GRE is considered average. While it meets the minimum requirement for many graduate programs, scoring higher, such as 4.0 or above, is generally preferred to demonstrate stronger writing skills and a more compelling ability to analyse and articulate complex ideas.

Is a 4 on the GRE analytical writing good?

Yes, a score of 4 on the analytical writing GRE is considered good. It reflects above-average writing skills and the ability to develop and support arguments effectively. Achieving a score of 4 indicates a solid command of the English language and the capacity to express ideas clearly and logically.

Start your journey and begin a conversation with a friendly Edvoy Counsellor and download the app today .

Study Abroad Expert

Disclaimer: The views and opinions shared in this site solely belong to the individual authors and do not necessarily represent t ...Read More

GMAT vs GRE - Which is easier?

A speedy overview of the GRE exam

The 8 smartest ways to prepare for your GRE exam

100 GRE vocabulary words you should know

How to fully prepare for GRE and get a high score

5 reasons why GRE coaching can benefit international students

How It Works
All Projects
Top-Rated Pages
Admission essay writing
Book report writing
Cheap essay writing
Coursework writing
Dissertation writing
Essay editing
MBA essay writing
Scholarship essay writing
Term paper writing
Write my essay
Free sample essays
Writing blog

101 GRE Issue Essay Topics For Top Students

When educators ask students to write about GRE issue essay topics, some ask, what is a GRE essay? A GRE issue essay is like a 5-paragraph essay in terms of structure, but a student can write 4 to 5 paragraphs. When reading this essay, the educator or the audience evaluates the skill the writer uses to address specific instructions while articulating and developing an argument supporting their issue evaluation. An adequately organized essay is easy for the audience to read and comprehend.

While developing the points, a reader should pepper their analysis with specific words for guiding readers through the entire argument. Such terms include although, because, however, furthermore, and alternatively to catch the audience’s attention. It’s crucial to note that you’ll have around 30 minutes to write this essay. Therefore, selecting the right topic can make all the difference. Here are sample prompts that you can use to practice drafting this essay.

GRE Issue Essay Sample Topics on Education

Students can address several issues in their essays using education topics. Here are some of the education topics that can serve as the GRE essays basis on education issues.

Students should use part-time work to fund their education.
All universities should make foreign language courses a graduation requirement regardless of the study field that a learner selects.
Universities should limit the number of classes a learner can enroll in during the academic term.
Learners shouldn’t use loans to cater to their living expenses or tuition anytime during their studies.
The top priority for universities should be educating people in their cities or nearby areas while giving non-local students a secondary priority.
Education can benefit people if they go back to school after spending time in the workforce.
The basis of school policies should be what employers, teachers, and students want.
Limiting classroom size can help students get adequate resources and support from their instructors.
All university and college students can benefit from studying abroad for at least one term or semester.
Every university or college should require learners to take different courses outside their study fields.
When writing an essay on these prompts, focus on agreeing or disagreeing with the provided claim. Also, address the most compelling reasons with examples that the reader could use to challenge your stance.

GRE Prompts on Society and Technology

If you love addressing social and technological issues, this category has some of the best prompts for your essay.

Universities should offer courses with at least one partial internet learning component to prepare learners for the contemporary world.
Human activity and technology inevitably lead to more significant environmental damage and pollution.
Developing countries’ leaders should focus on modernization.
Investing in life-saving technology is valuable than any other investment in technology around luxury or entertainment.
Technological advancements’ primary goal should be increasing people’s efficiency to allow them more leisure time.
The possibility of supervised space travel past the earth’s moon is doubtful.
Some argue that technological breakthroughs occur by chance and surprise discoveries, but some say well-planned, deliberate research is the only way to achieve technological advancement.

Consider any of these topics and then tweak or develop them creatively to respond to the issue in question.

GRE Writing Topics on Philosophy

Do you love philosophy? If yes, this category has some of the best GRE topics from which you can select the issue to address in your essay.

Humans learn valuable lessons from struggling with limitations instead of enjoying their successes.
Opportunities don’t come by luck. Instead, successful individuals seek opportunities continuously.
The best teaching practice is praising positive actions while ignoring negative ones.
Governments should provide university and college education to all students free of charge.
Individuals can’t care for others without taking care of themselves.
A society’s well-being improves when people question those in authority. Countries should have flexible laws that consider different times, places, and circumstances.
A country should require all learners to study a similar curriculum until college.
A person’s behavior is mainly dependent on forces rather than their choices.
Formal education restrains the spirit and mind of a person instead of setting them free.
Self-criticism is accurate and valuable than criticism from other people.
Friendships among people that share a common space or goal, like classmates, neighbors, and co-workers, are more fulfilling.

Pick an example of a GRE topic in this category and then tweak it a little to use it as your essay title.

GRE Pool of Issue Topics

Perhaps, you need several topics that you can use to practice writing this essay. This category has a pool of issues that can serve as topics for your papers.

Group assignments should replace a significant percentage of lecture-based instructions in university and college courses.
In government, business, and education, it’s appropriate to be skeptical of your new leaders until they prove they deserve your trust.
Some individuals argue that creative fields’ success requires perseverance and hard work. Others say it mainly needs innate talents that people don’t acquire in school.
Presenting statistics and facts instead of emotional arguments is the best way approach for persuading people.
The government should provide free college or university education to learners that these institutions admit but lack tuition.
Countries should implement laws for preserving their wilderness areas even if humans can develop them for economic gains.
It’s not easy to contribute to any field significantly without strong influence from past achievements.
In politics, government, education, and business, the people in power should retire after five years of service.
Some individuals believe that arts require government funding to flourish and reach all people, while others think this funding threatens art’s integrity.
Governments should offer financial support to significant cities for them to thrive.
Scandals focus human attention on issues in ways that no reformer or speaker can ever do.
Learning institutions should dissuade learners from pursuing study fields where their success is unlikely.
Studying the major cities of a town helps you to understand its crucial characteristics.
People don’t act purely for others’ benefit.
People consider historical learning an objective pursuit, but it requires creativity.
Some individuals believe that empathy and understanding are the most crucial effective leader’s quality while others argue that a leader should be demanding and rigorous in their students’ expectations.
Some people express boredom with a self-satisfaction sense while it should cause embarrassment.
Imposing strict limits on the trash amount every household generates is the best approach for solving environmental problems arising from consumer-generated waste.
Some individuals argue that politics’ goal should be pursuing an idea, while others believe that finding common ground and achieving a reasonable consensus should be the objective.
The best argument test is the ability to convince the person with the opposing viewpoint.
The people’s general welfare is the best indication of a country’s greatness rather than the achievements of artists, scientists, or rulers.
No study field can achieve significant advancement without incorporating experience and knowledge from the other areas.

This GRE pool of argument topics should help you practice writing this essay. Try with several prompts in this category to enhance your argumentative and writing skills.

GRE Analytical Writing Topics

Analytical writing tests the ability of the learner to analyze issues and think critically. It assesses a learner’s ability to support and articulate complex ideas by constructing and evaluating arguments. Here’s a list of sample GRE analytical writing prompts to consider for your essays.

Hospital statistics about people that visit the emergency room following roller-skating accidents show the need for additional protective equipment.
The best ideas come from a passionate commonplace things interest.
Research indicates that water sports usage is on the rise. Therefore, cities should spend more money on riverside recreational facilities.

Each of these prompts requires you to analyze the presented issue and then come up with an argument.

GRE Practice Essay Prompts

Maybe you want to practice with different prompts in readiness for an upcoming test. In that case, consider these prompts.

A common perception is that excellent personal conduct is a quality of a good leader. But some people have a conflicting belief that personal morality doesn’t matter, provided a leader doesn’t break the law and executes their duties effectively.
Some artists and scholars believe that color photography has removed the realism need in artistic painting, while others feel realistic artwork remains worthwhile and valuable.
People should elect leaders in significant power positions rather than appoint them.
A school of thought argues that management should promote experienced workers. But some businesses opt to select managers depending on their leadership skills rather than experience.
Governments should employ accomplished filmmakers to develop films with crucial public messages.
Enterprises should submit to the government’s close monitoring and regulation.
Many countries have leaders prioritizing economic stability and development over environmental concerns. These leaders are at odds with most national leaders that feel the long-term environment’s health should be the basis of financial decisions.
Famous art forms like storybook illustrations and advertising images will never achieve artistic merits like fine arts like sculptures and gallery paintings.
A city’s life quality can’t be good unless experts plan it correctly.
Cities shouldn’t allow private companies to do business if most residents oppose their operations.
Cities should regulate their parking and place limits on lots to reduce traffic congestion.
The rapid increase in life pace today leads to more problems than humans can solve
Students should question what educators teach them instead of accepting everything passively.
People define themselves primarily by their identification with specific social groups.
Governments shouldn’t fund scientific research with unclear consequences.
Learning institutions should encourage learners to select study fields that make them fit for lucrative careers.
Governments aim to solve immediate problems instead of dealing with anticipated, future issues.
College learners should select study fields based on jobs’ availability rather than their interests and talents.
Countries should implement flexible laws that consider different times, places, and circumstances.
An ideal way to comprehend a society’s character is by examining its role models and heroes.
Countries should have few restrictions on development and scientific research.
Contemporary life’s conveniences and luxuries prevent individuals from becoming independent and strong people.
In every inquiry field, the beginner is likely to make significant contributions than an expert.
The best indicator of a great country is not its artists’ and rulers’ achievements but the general people’s welfare.
Learners’ academic performance should be the basis of their teachers’ salaries.
Society should aim to save the endangered species if their potential extinction is due to human activities.
Things don’t get comprehensible as learners acquire additional knowledge. Instead, they become mysterious and complex.
Progress requires people to discuss with those with contrasting viewpoints.
Learning institutions should dissuade learners from venturing into study fields that are unlikely to give them jobs.
Those living after individuals should decide their greatness, not their contemporaries.
Society can’t regard a living woman or man as a hero any longer.
High grades’ competition limits learning quality at all educational levels.
Instructors should teach facts after learners have understood trends, concepts, and ideas that explain them.
Humans learn more from people with whom they share views than those with contradicting opinions.
Government employees should depend on their judgment instead of following the will of their superiors.
Society should encourage young people to pursue realistic, long-term goals instead of seeking immediate recognition and fame.
Any means for attaining a worthy goal are justifiable.

You can use any of these titles to practice and sharpen your writing skills.

ETS Essay Topics

If looking for the best ETS topics, this category has some ideas for you.

The goals a person sets are the primary measure for true success.
Happiness comes from seeking different and new experiences.
Cities provide more secure living than less developed areas.
Nations shouldn’t have fixed laws; instead, countries should have flexible rules that consider different places, times, and circumstances.
Science should reassure while art upsets, and each should have value.
Governments can impose laws limiting people’s behavior, but they can’t restrict human nature.
Trusting intelligence alone can be dangerous.
People disregard past, great works because they don’t address their current needs.
Reading books in the television age is not crucial because people learn almost everything from watching television.
Most specialists are highly overrated. For this reason, the world needs more generalists to offer broad perspectives.

This category also has some of the best GRE AWA topics. However, each title requires creativity to come up with a winning essay.

Get Professional Writing Assistance Online

Perhaps, you’re struggling with your essay, and you need expert writers to assist you. Maybe you don’t know how to write this essay, and you need a sample to guide you. In that case, use the internet to get fast and cheap assistance. Our crew has skilled writers with a proven track record of delivering quality essays at affordable prices. Contact us now if seeking the best essay writing help online. We guarantee you a custom essay that will impress the instructor to award you the best grade.

PrepScholar GRE Prep

Gre prep online guides and tips, 4 top-scoring gre sample essays, analyzed (issue + argument).

The best way to figure out how to get a high Analytical Writing score is to look at a GRE essay sample, but doing so without any guidance can be overwhelming. How do you show insight? Do typos affect your score? What’s a good way to keep your essay organized?

We’ll answer all these questions for you (and more!) in this article by analyzing four real GRE essay examples and highlighting the key features you’ll want to include in your own essays.

How to Use This Guide

Before we get to the GRE sample essays and their analyses, I’ll highlight two best ways to use this guide to improve your essay and get a great scoring essay yourself.

First, use the perfect-scoring sample GRE essays in this guide as models of possible ways to accomplish the essay tasks . By this, I don’t mean you should plagiarize entire sentences, paragraphs, or essays – that’s both wrong and against GRE code of conduct (it will disqualify your entire test if discovered). Plus, there are so many prompts (152 Issue prompts and 176 Argument ones) that it’s unlikely you’d be able to use any of these exact essays anyway.

What you can and should do is incorporate the features highlighted in the analyses below in your own essays. For instance, if you’ve been struggling with how to logically connect ideas within paragraphs in your own essays, take a look of some of the examples of logical connection I point out in this article and see how they fit within the context of the full essay. You can then practice replicating successful connections between ideas in your own practice essays.

The other main way to use this guide is in conjunction with the essay grading rubrics to help ferret out your writing weaknesses and work on them. Start with the rubrics for the Issue and Argument tasks and identify which criteria are most difficult for you to meet. Even if you can’t articulate precisely what your weakest spot is (e.g. failing to logically connect your ideas within paragraphs), you can at least narrow down the general rubric area you most struggle with (e.g. organization in general).

Once you’ve identified the general area you have the most trouble with, read the GRE essay examples and our analyses in this article to find concrete instances (rather than the abstract descriptions) of the rubric criteria. For more information about the different rubrics for the different essay tasks, read our articles on how to write perfect-scoring GRE Issue and Argument essays .

Quick side note: we've created the world's leading online GRE prep program that adapts to you and your strengths and weaknesses. Not sure what to study? Confused by how to improve your score? We give you minute by minute guide.

You don't NEED a prep program to get a great GRE score. But we believe PrepScholar is the best GRE prep program available right now , especially if you find it hard to organize your study schedule and don't know what to study .

Click here to learn how you can improve your GRE score by 7 points, guaranteed .

Because this article is on the longer side, we’ve created a table of contents to enable you to jump to a specific essay example or task type:

Table of Contents: GRE Essay Examples

Issue essay 1: technology and human ingenuity, issue essay 2: cooperation vs. competition, argument essay 1: mason city riverside recreation, argument essay 2: super screen movie advertising.

The first of the GRE sample essays we’ll be looking at is written in response to the following “Analyze an Issue” prompt:

As people rely more and more on technology to solve problems, the ability of humans to think for themselves will surely deteriorate.

Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

The essay written on this Issue prompt takes the position that rather than hindering our abilities to think for themselves, technology will spur humanity on to achieve ever-greater things. The full text of this GRE essay sample can be found on the ETS website .

In this analysis, I’ll go over the different ways in which this essay meets the GRE essay rubric criteria for a perfect scoring Issue essay . The first of these rubric criteria I’ll be discussing is the way the author takes a clear and insightful stance on the issue in the essay.

The author’s position that instead of fearing new technology, we should embrace its possibilities is methodically articulated over the course of the entire essay, culminating in the essay’s conclusion with a full thesis statement (“There is no need to retreat to a Luddite attitude to new things, but rather embrace a hopeful posture to the possibilities that technology provides for new avenues of human imagination.”). Below is an outline of how the author expresses her thesis throughout the essay:

Paragraph 1 : The author acknowledges “technology has revolutionized the world.”
Paragraph 2 : The author explains the reasoning behind the statement in the prompt (“The assumption is that an increased reliance on technology negates the need for people to think creatively to solve previous quandaries”).
Paragraph 3 : The author counters the reasoning she discussed in paragraph 2, writing that “reliance on technology does not necessarily preclude the creativity that marks the human species.”
Paragraph 4 : The author advances her counterclaim one step further, stating that “technology frees the human imagination.”
Paragraph 5 : The author further develops the idea from Paragraph 4, stating “By increasing our reliance on technology, impossible goals can now be achieved.”
Paragraph 6 : This final paragraph concludes the essay with a fully articulated thesis that also sums up what went before: “There is no need to retreat to a Luddite attitude to new things, but rather embrace a hopeful posture to the possibilities that technology provides for new avenues of human imagination.”

The author’s straightforward explanations of her thinking and logic enhance the clarity of her position, while the nuanced content of the position itself demonstrates insight into the issue.

The next area a perfect-scoring Issue essay must demonstrate mastery of is the development of its position through compelling and persuasive examples and reasoning . The author of this essay accomplishes this task by providing examples to support each idea she discusses and, furthermore, explaining not only the content of the examples but also why the examples support her position.

Here’s an example from paragraph 5:

By increasing our reliance on technology, impossible goals can now be achieved. Consider how the late 20th century witnessed the complete elimination of smallpox. This disease had ravaged the human race since prehistorical days, and yet with the technology of vaccines, free thinking humans dared to imagine a world free of smallpox. Using technology, battle plans were drawn out, and smallpox was systematically targeted and eradicated.

In this example, the author begins by laying out the main idea to be discussed (impossible things can be achieved by relying more on technology). She then supports this idea with the example of the impossible problem of smallpox and the steps taken that led to its eradication.

The great thing about the way the author explains her reasoning and examples is the concision and precision with which she gets her information across. Rather than going off into a discussion about the damage caused by smallpox, or staying too vague by mentioning how “diseases” had been solved by the use of vaccines, the author chooses a specific example (smallpox) and mentions only the details relevant to proving her point . This kind of precise writing takes practice, but being able to effectively sum up an example and why it supports your position in just a couple of sentences is essential if you want to get a high score on the GRE Issue essay.

Focus, organization, and logical connections are the third criterion that a perfect-scoring essay needs to fulfill. In the case of this GRE essay sample, the author achieves this organization and focus by linking ideas both within paragraphs (as seen in the previous example) as well as between paragraphs . Let’s look at the way the author transitions between the end of paragraph four and the beginning of paragraph five:

The unlikely marriage of economics and medicine has healed tense, hyperinflation environments from South America to Eastern Europe.

This last example provides the most hope in how technology actually provides hope to the future of humanity. By increasing our reliance on technology, impossible goals can now be achieved.

The author connects the two paragraphs by continuing paragraph four’s discussion of ways human imagination has been pushed by technology (technology combining economics and medicine has solved a problem) with paragraph five’s exploration of how this example has led to achieving things previously considered impossible. The smoothness of the transition between the two paragraphs is effected both by presenting the content of the next paragraph as a logical progression from what was just discussed as well as by using language (“this last example”) that connects the two on a more superficial level.

By keeping paragraphs tightly linked on both the surface level of sentence structures as well as on the deeper level of content being discussed , the author of this essay also keeps her writing focused and cohesive.

Want to improve your GRE score by 7 points? We have the industry's leading GRE prep program. Built by world-class instructors with 99th percentile GRE scores , the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through machine learning data science, then customizes your prep program to you so you get the most effective prep possible.

Try our 5-day full access trial for free:

The last quality a perfect-scoring essay must demonstrate is precision of language and flow in writing . The author of this GRE Analytical Writing sample fulfills this requirement by using language to precisely and economically convey meaning throughout her essay. Here’s one example of precise and effective use of language in the essay:

This disease had ravaged the human race since prehistorical days, and yet with the technology of vaccines, free thinking humans dared to imagine a world free of smallpox.

In this excerpt, the author uses the evocative word “ravaged” to show the dire extent of the problem solved by technology, reinforcing that the issue was previously considered impossible to cope with. She also uses the phrase “humans dared to imagine” in this sentence, which ties the example being discussed back to the previous paragraph’s discussion of human imagination.

While there are a couple of minor errors in this excerpt (“prehistorical” should be “prehistoric,” “free thinking” should be “free-thinking”), they do not significantly change the meaning of the author’s words and so do not detract from the overall effectiveness of the author’s language.

Nope nope nope we've gone too prehistoric, walk it back, folks

Return to Table of Contents

The second of the GRE Issue essay samples I’ll be analyzing is written in response to the following prompt about the values of cooperation vs. competition:

“The best way for a society to prepare its young people for leadership in government, industry, or other fields is by instilling in them a sense of cooperation, not competition.”

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons or examples that could be used to challenge your position.

The sample Issue essay written in response to this topic takes the stance that cooperation, not competition, is a preferable value to instill in young people in preparation for government. You can read the full essay on page 108 of this PDF . Read on for a discussion of the different ways in which this essay meets the requirements for a perfect score.

As with the previous GRE essay sample, we’ll start by looking at how this essay meets the perfect-scoring essay criteria of stating a clear and insightful position (as required by the essay task). The author fulfills the first part of the criteria with his clear statement of his thesis in the last line of the very first paragraph:

I would have to agree that the best way to prepare young people for leadership roles is to instill in them a sense of cooperation.

He reiterates this clear position with the last two sentences of his conclusion:

Getting to be President of the United States or the managing director of a corporation might require you to win some battles, but once you are there you will need diplomacy and people-skills. Those can be difficult to learn, but if you do not have them, you are likely to be a short-lived leader.

To achieve a perfect Issue essay score, however, it’s not just enough to be clear in your position; your position must also demonstrate insight into the issue . The author of this essay accomplishes this second part by choosing a two-pronged approach to answering the essay question. Rather than merely explaining how cooperativeness leads to positive outcomes in government, industry, and other fields, the author also explains how competitiveness leads to negative outcomes.

Thus, the author makes his position clear by stating it in the opening and closing paragraphs of the essay and shows insight by taking the more complex position that not only is cooperation good, but competition is bad.

The next of the rubric criteria we’ll discuss has to do with how well the author develops his position with examples and reasoning . A great example of this development can be found in the second paragraph of this essay, which discusses the drawbacks of competition.

The author begins his discussion of competitiveness by arguing that it’s a quality that doesn’t need to be “instilled” because it’s already present. Beginning with general reasoning about human behaviors at school and the office to introduce his point, the author then neatly segues into specific examples of competitiveness gone amok (Hitler in Germany and the recent economic meltdown in America).

With each example presented in the essay, the author pushes his position along a little further. He moves from discussing the most extreme historical cases (genocide) to more recent events (economic recession), concluding by focusing in on one person’s life and career (Tiger Woods). This final example allows the author to reach his final destination in his discussion of competitiveness: yes, competition can serve people well up to a certain point, but the price is that it is also “detrimental and ultimately quite destructive.”

Competition is particularly destructive if you're playing chess with glass pieces!

The third way this essay meets the requirements of a perfect-scoring essay is through the logical connection of ideas within and between paragraphs . The transition between the end of paragraph two and the beginning of paragraph three provides a stellar example of this skillful connecting of ideas:

It [competitiveness] served him well in some respects, but it also proved to be detrimental and ultimately quite destructive.

Leaders who value cooperation, on the other ahnd, have historically been less prone to these overreaching, destructive tendencies.

On the face of it, the author only connects the two paragraphs by using a transition phrase (“on the other hand”) that sets up the next paragraph as contrasting with what came before. While this kind of transition would be good enough for a lower-scoring essay, though, the author does not just leave the connection between the two paragraphs at that. Instead, he also connects the two paragraphs by keeping the focus on the same issue from the end of one paragraph to the beginning of the next.

The content-level transition between paragraphs occurs when the author transitions from discussing the “detrimental and ultimately quite destructive” competitiveness of Tiger Woods directly into claiming that cooperation-valuing leaders are “less prone to these overreaching, destructive tendencies.” This twofold linkage of content (deeper level) and transition phrase (more surface level) makes it clear to the reader that the discussion of leaders valuing cooperation follows logically the discussion of negative outcomes for competition-valuing leaders.

The final 6-level quality demonstrated by this GRE Writing sample is its use of skillful and precise language to convey specific meaning . Overall, the language in this essay is formal and academic , despite the profligate use of first person point of view by the author (which can make writing seem less formal). The following sentence exemplifies the author’s command of language:

The recent economic meltdown was caused in no large part by the leaders of American banks and financial institutions who were obsessed with competing for the almighty dollar.

Despite the minor error in this sentence (it should read “in no small part,” rather than “in no large part,”), the author’s meaning is absolutely clear: competition led to the meltdown. Strong vocabulary choices like “economic meltdown,” “obsessed,” “almighty dollar” are what make this an effective statement of the author’s position. Compare the above excerpt to a more milquetoast version of the same statement:

The recent economic downturn was mostly caused by financial leaders who wanted to earn lots of money.

Want to improve your GRE score by 7+ points?

Check out our best-in-class online GRE prep program . We guarantee your money back if you don't improve your GRE score by 7 points or more.

PrepScholar GRE is entirely online, and it customizes your prep program to your strengths and weaknesses . We also feature 2,000 practice questions , official practice tests, 150 hours of interactive lessons, and 1-on-1 scoring and feedback on your AWA essays.

Check out our 5-day free trial now:

This second sentence has the same basic meaning as the real excerpt from the essay. Because it doesn’t use particularly precise or compelling language, however, this watered-down version ends up minimizing the magnitude of problems caused by competitiveness (which undercuts the author’s point). This vaguer version of the essay excerpt also lacks the word “competing,” which makes it useless as an instance of competition among leaders leading to negative consequences.

The original excerpt from the essay, and indeed the entire GRE essay example, is so strong precisely because it manages to pack in specific relevant language that adds to, rather than detracts from, the author’s meaning.

The next essay I’ll be analyzing is written in response to the following “Analyze an Argument” prompt:

In surveys Mason City residents rank water sports (swimming, boating and fishing) among their favorite recreational activities. The Mason River flowing through the city is rarely used for these pursuits, however, and the city park department devotes little of its budget to maintaining riverside recreational facilities. For years there have been complaints from residents about the quality of the river’s water and the river’s smell. In response, the state has recently announced plans to clean up Mason River. Use of the river for water sports is therefore sure to increase. The city government should for that reason devote more money in this year’s budget to riverside recreational facilities.

The GRE Argument essay sample I’ll be analyzing critiques the numerous assumptions made and ultimately concludes that the argument for spending more money on Mason City’s riverside recreational facilities rests on faulty assumptions.

The full text of this essay can be found on the ETS website . Be sure to read through the essay first before coming back to read my analysis of it. We’ll start by looking at the ways in which this GRE essay sample identifies and examines the argument given in the prompt in an insightful way:

There are three key assumptions made by the argument that are identified in the essay:

#1 : The survey results are valid and representative

#2 : The reason Mason River isn’t used is because of odor and pollution

#3 : Cleaning the pollution in the river will get rid of the odor and then lead to more usage by residents

The Argument essay example we’re looking at examines each of the assumptions by considering the implications if the assumptions made by the article turn out not to be true . Here’s part of the essay’s investigation of the second assumption listed above:

Though there have been complaints, we do not know if there have been numerous complaints from a wide range of people, or perhaps from one or two individuals who made numerous complaints.

The author identifies the assumption that complaints indicate many people want to use the river and examines it by reasoning through possible scenarios other than the one presented in the prompt. The insight comes from the fact that the specific possibilities discussed by the author are highly plausible alternative explanations for the facts that would change the validity of the prompt’s assumption. It’s very possible that the complaints were not made by every single resident, or even a majority of residents, as the prompt seems to assume, but were in fact only made by a few people.

As a result of her analysis, the author ultimately concludes that there is insufficient information to support the assumption that Mason River isn’t used due to its odor and pollution.

The next way the author of this sample GRE essay fulfills the requirements of a perfect-scoring Argument essay is by providing comprehensive support for each of her main points . Throughout the essay, the author is able to explain exactly why each assumption made is problematic by using examples that precisely illustrate her argument.

Consider how this is approached in the second paragraph of the essay. The author starts the paragraph by presenting the assumption made in the essay argument that the survey results can be relied upon. She then proceeds to decimate that assumption with multiple examples of ways in which the survey could be flawed and not be an accurate representation of the residents’ opinions, as can be seen in the following excerpt:

For example, the survey could have asked residents if they prefer using the river for water sports or would like to see a hydroelectric dam built, which may have swayed residents toward river sports. The sample may not have been representative of city residents, asking only those residents who live upon the river. The survey may have been 10 pages long, with 2 questions dedicated to river sports. We just do not know.

The thoroughness of the author’s support for her point is magnified by the specificity of the scenarios she proposes . Stating “the survey might not have been representative of the city residents” would have been far less compelling a point than stating “[t]he sample may not have been representative of city residents, asking only those residents who live upon the river.”

Probably not quite so on the river as this, though.

Another important ideal a perfect-scoring Argument essay must live up to is being organized logically, with clear transitions between ideas . The author of this GRE essay sample is able to meet the first part of this requirement with a simple five-paragraph organizational structure : an introduction, one paragraph for each assumption discussed, and a conclusion.

Accomplishing the logical connection and development of ideas throughout the essay requires a little bit more finesse, but the author still manages it. Here’s an example from the beginning of the third paragraph of a skillful transition:

Additionally, the author implies that residents do not use the river for swimming, boating, and fishing, despite their professed interest, because the water is polluted and smelly.

In the above example, the author uses the transition word “additionally” to connect the ideas that will follow with what went before. The example also references the previous paragraph’s discussion of the unreliability of the survey of residents (“their professed interest”) and links it to the current discussion of pollution and smell being the cause of low participation in riverside recreational activities. The combination of these two methods of connecting the two paragraphs results in a smooth logical flow from one idea to the next.

Let your ideas flow. Like the Mason River.

Lastly, a perfect-scoring Argument essay must be precise and effective in its discussion of ideas, with few if any errors . The author of this essay successfully meets this standard by using purposeful language to efficiently and clearly get her point across, as can be seen in this example from paragraph three:

While a polluted, smelly river would likely cut down on river sports, a concrete connection between the resident’s lack of river use and the river’s current state is not effectively made.

The author contrasts the prompt’s assumption (“a polluted, smelly river would likely cut down on river sports”) with the “concrete connection” that is not present. The essay as a whole is not completely devoid of errors (for example, the author writes “afffected” instead of “affected”), but the errors are few and do not have a negative impact on the clarity of the writing.

The last of the GRE essay examples I’ll be analyzing at is written in response to this “Analyze an Argument” prompt:

The following is taken from a memo from the advertising director of the Super Screen Movie Production Company.

“According to a recent report from our marketing department, during the past year, fewer people attended Super Screen-produced movies than in any other year. And yet the percentage of positive reviews by movie reviewers about specific Super Screen movies actually increased during the past year. Clearly, the contents of these reviews are not reaching enough of our prospective viewers. Thus, the problem lies not with the quality of our movies but with the public’s lack of awareness that movies of good quality are available. Super Screen should therefore allocate a greater share of its budget next year to reaching the public through advertising.”

Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the recommendation and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.

The essay written in response to this “Analyze an Argument” prompt raises and evaluates questions about how many viewers and reviews of Super Screen productions there actually were, if there is a strong relationship between how movie reviewers and general audiences react to movies, and whether or not the percentage of positive reviews about a movie reflects how much of an impact reviews have on audiences.

The full text of this GRE essay sample can be found on p. 112 of this PDF . Read through the essay first, then check below for an analysis of its positive (and negative) qualities.

The first aspect of the essay we’ll analyze is how it succeeds in identifying and examining the parts of the argument that are relevant to the task . In the essay’s introduction, the author mentions that there are questions that need to be asked (“Before this plan is implemented, however, Super Screen needs to address some questions about its possible flaws”), but he really hammers it home in the conclusion by specifying which questions need to be answered:

In conclusion, there are many questions Super Screen needs to answer before using this advertising director’s plan. They need to look carefully at actual numbers, both of viewership and of positive reviews. The also need to identify the relationship that their target audience has with movie reviewers and determine how their target audience feels about their movies. Fianlly they need to take a nuanced look at the movie reviews that they use in their advertising.

With this conclusion, the author hits the three main points that need to be considered before agreeing to the advertising director’s plan : viewer and review numbers, audience reactions to reviews, and whether or not reviews are a useful metric by which to measure movie success.

An instance of the author identifying a particular argument can be found in the third paragraph of this GRE essay sample. The paragraph starts by clearly stating the question that needs to be answered (what the number of positive reviews was and how it compared to past reviews). After this initial identification of the question, the author also explains how answering this question would have an impact on the usefulness of the recommendation: if the increase in positive reviews was from 1% to 2%, allocating more money to advertising to emphasize this fact is likely to have less impact than if the money were instead budgeted towards improving film quality.

Lights! Camera! And a 200% increase in script quality!

Another quality all perfect-scoring Argument essays must contain is strong and thorough support for each point discussed . The author of the GRE essay sample we’re analyzing fulfills this requirement, supporting every question she raises about the argument in the prompt by showing how its answer would affect the recommendation.

A good example of this all coming together happens in paragraph five of the essay:

Finally the studio must ask whether the percentage of positive reviews is really a relevant way to measure the potential impact of movie reviews. There are dozens of movie reviewers but when deciding whether to not to go to a movie, the general public will usually pick from among the 10 most popular movie reviews. These are the reviews that will impress the public if they are included in advertising. If the most popular movie reviewers disliked Super Screen movies that a larger number of small time film bloggers reviewed positively, Super Screen needs to think of a new advertising strategy.

In this paragraph, the author opens by identifying the element of argument to be discussed (are positive reviews a useful way to measure the impact of movie reviews in general?). She then develops this point through reasoning about why the answer to this question might contradict the assumption made in the argument (people mostly use popular reviews to decide on what movies to see, rather than the ratio of popular to negative reviews).

The author ends this paragraph by conclusively showing that the answer to the question raised in this paragraph is crucial for determining whether or not Super Screen should follow the advertising director’s plan: if the percent of positive reviews isn’t a good way to measure movie impact and the real issue is that relatively few popular movie reviewers liked Super Screen movies, then the recommendation of the advertising department is unreasonable.

No amount of advertising's going to wake up that movie reviewer.

The third requirement for a perfect-scoring Argument essay is that it must develop and connect ideas in a clear and logical fashion. The organization of this GRE argument essay sample helps accomplish this by routing the author’s thoughts into an introduction, four body paragraphs, and a conclusion . Each body paragraph of the essay is centered around one or two related questions. A good example of this can be found in paragraph four, which contains two related questions about the relationship between audiences and movie reviewers:

Finally, Super Screen needs to ask what the relationship is between its viewers and the movie reviewers cited in the memo. Using a survey distributed to its target audience, Super Screen could determine if movie reviews have an effect on their audience’s decision to go see a movie, whether movie reviewers tended to have the same taste as the target audience and exactly whether or not movie reviews are reaching the audience. Super Screen also needs to consider how its movie choices have affected the separate movie reviewer and audience populations. If the studio has switched from making mega- blockbuster action movies to more nuanced dramas, the general public may be less willing to go see their movies even though movie critics prefer the dramas to the action movies.

The above paragraph starts out by discussing if Super Screen’s target audiences are affected by reviews and whether their audiences and movie reviewers have the same taste, then segues into discussing if the studio’s film-making choices have affected audiences and movie reviews. The transition between the two different questions being discussed is effected by the simple use of the word “also” in the third sentence of the paragraph:

Super Screen also needs to consider how its movie choices have affected the separate movie reviewer and audience populations. [bolded for emphasis]

The last sentence of the paragraph again links back to the discussion of audience taste vs. reviewer taste, reinforcing the close and logical connection between the two questions discussed in the paragraph.

Finally, a perfect-scoring Argument essay must employ varied and precise language, with few errors . Earlier, we discussed paragraph four as a particularly strong example of the author’s effective development of ideas. The last sentence of this paragraph contributes to this efficacy through the use of specific language :

“If the studio has switched from making mega-blockbuster action movies to more nuanced dramas, the general public may be less willing to go see their movies even though movie critics prefer the dramas to the action movies.”

The use of the descriptor “mega-blockbuster” to describe the action movies preferred by the masses effectively conjures up something that is the diametric opposite of a “nuanced drama.” In addition, the author’s contrasting of the “mega-blockbuster action movies” with “more nuanced dramas” parallels the second half of the sentence’s contrasting of the preferences of the general public vs. those of the (possibly) more refined movie reviewer.

There are a few minor spelling errors (e.g. in “attendence” instead of “attendance”), and the last two body paragraphs both start with “finally” (which is a little repetitive), but in general, this is a skillfully written essay. It’s not perfectly polished like an essay you’d turn in for school, but that’s absolutely OK. In the grand scheme of the GRE essay scoring rubric, writing flourishes matter much less than clarity of thought and precision of language.

Some Super Screen movie reviewers. MCAD Library/Flickr.

6 Tips for a Perfect-Scoring GRE Essay

To wrap up this article, I’ll go over some of the key points you should take from the four GRE sample essays I analyzed in this article.

#1: Include an Introduction and a Conclusion

One thing that all these perfect-scoring GRE sample essays had in common was an introduction and a conclusion . It doesn’t have to be a full paragraph, but you need to at the very least introduce your ideas at the beginning of your essay and wrap up your conclusions at the end of it.

#2: State Your Position Clearly

In my notes to myself on one of the GRE Issue essay examples I analyzed above, I observed that the author “states her thesis early and often” because of the way her position was made clear throughout the essay. While obviously you don’t want to just repeat the same sentence over and over again, it is imperative that you include at least one clear statement of your position in your essay , preferably in your introduction paragraph.

The importance of clearly stating your position varies between the two GRE essay tasks somewhat. For the Argument essay, you might be able to get away with a vague summary of the points you’ll cover and still get a 4.0 or above on the essay; by contrast, it’s nearly impossible to get above a 3.0 on the Issue essay if you do not clearly state your position on the issue, as that is integral to the essay task itself.

Whatever the prompt or essay type, if you want to get a perfect score on your essay, you’ll need to include a clear statement of your position on the issue or what points you’ll be analyzing in regards to the argument in the prompt.

#3: Be Specific in Your Support

All of the perfect-scoring GRE essay examples analyzed in this article contained specific and relevant support for the claims made by the authors. In the Issue essay examples, the authors drew upon well-defined examples and concise examples that directly supported the author’s position on the issue. In the Argument essay samples, the authors focused in on several specific parts of the arguments and debated their validity using specific hypothetical scenarios and questions.

The takeaway of this for your own writing is that the specific is always more persuasive than the general when it comes to supporting a point. And if you can’t find specific support for your position or for the flaw you’ve found in an argument, then that’s a good sign that you need to consider changing your position or finding another part of the argument to critique.

If you can't support your thesis with specific examples, you might need to find a new thesis.

#4: Explain Your Support Clearly

As I discussed in my analyses of the four GRE Writing samples, whether or not your writing is polished and perfectly worded and spelled is not nearly as important as your successful communication of your ideas and how they are supported . In the GRE essay, all is precision, and analyses of issues that use clearly-explained compelling examples or analyses of arguments that cut to the very heart of why an argument is flawed with supporting explanations will ultimately score higher than beautifully crafted but logically imprecise essays.

#5: Use Transitions

All of the authors of the GRE essay examples analyzed in this article are able to maintain focus and organization in their essays by employing multi-level transitions that link ideas between and within paragraphs on both content and linguistic levels. In your own writing, be conscious of when you are changing from discussing one idea to another and make sure the transition is smooth. Even just adding transition words like “additionally” or “in contrast” to the beginning of new ideas can help your writing flow better.

#6: Stay Organized

While all of the GRE essay examples used in this article were written in response to different prompts, they all adhered to basically the standard five-paragraph , introduction-body paragraphs-conclusion format.

There’s no reason to take extra time away from your analysis of the questions to figure out a unique organizational structure for each essay when the five paragraph essay will get it done just as well (if not better). This is not because other forms are not possible; as the ETS website says, “You are free to organize and develop your response in any way you think will enable you to effectively communicate your ideas about the issue.”

But the utility of the five paragraph form is that it’s a tried-and-true way to keep your essay organized . Using it will save you the time of having to figure out a new organizational strategy for every essay you write. And the more consistently you stick to a simple (but clear) organizational structure, the faster you’ll get at it, until organizing your thoughts logically comes as second-nature (especially important in a timed essay environment when every second counts).

What’s Next?

Now you know what it takes to get a perfect essay score. But do you actually need to get a perfect 6.0 on GRE Writing? Find out with our discussion of what a good GRE Writing score is .

Curious about how the criteria mentioned in this article translate into numerical scores? Read our article on how the GRE essay is scored to learn more!

Need to boost your essay score quickly? We have 15 great tips and strategies that help you improve your Analytical Writing score .

Ready to dive into practice essays with some practice topics? Use our guide to the 328 official GRE essay topics to get started.

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Laura Staffaroni

Laura graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College with a BA in Music and Psychology, and earned a Master's degree in Composition from the Longy School of Music of Bard College. She scored 99 percentile scores on the SAT and GRE and loves advising students on how to excel and fulfill their college and grad school dreams. View all posts by Laura Staffaroni

155 Most Exciting GRE Issue Essay Topics

GRE test, which stands for graduate record exam, is one of the prerequisites for graduates who intend to further their graduate programs, especially in the United States. Over time, this test has been incorporated into other countries like Canada and Australia into their graduate testing exams pattern.

For this test, in most cases, the need arises depending on where you are planning to further your graduate program. It’s often required in Europe for Ph.D. programs, and the test itself is valid for five years from the date of result.

It is believed that the intrinsic role GRE plays is that it allows the testing community to reflect on the critical mindset and ability of the graduate candidate. Depending on what your field of study is, you’ll be required to take the GRE Subject Test in addition to the GRE General Test.

GRE Issue Essay Sample Topics

The GRE issue essay is practically the primary stage when writing your GRE. It requires that you do a lot of critical thinking that would help you formulate your idea and argumentative opinion on any particular issue you have been given to work on.

What GRE issue essay topics require of you is that you develop your arguments from lists of provided issues. In case you are preparing to take your GRE, here are some GRE practice essay prompts to help you examine your position, which can help you attain better grades after the actual exams.

The proliferation of social media and smartphones has significantly affected the learning attention span of students.
The dominating nature of influencer culture is promoting more addiction to internet culture and unrealistic representation of life.
How the emergence of smartphones is only proving more detrimental to underdeveloped and developing countries
How global politics intrinsically affects the growth of smaller nations
To what extent should the government oversee the production of goods and services
Why should young people not be encouraged to take education seriously in America after high school?
Why birth control pills should not be regulated for women or girls.
The basic principle of consent, what it denotes, and why it should be championed
Why every government constitution should be restructured to accommodate power only for four years
What do you think are some of the reasons feminism should be promoted more
Where needs feminist consciousness more? Underdeveloped or developed countries?
What is the possibility that a country could be lifted out of poverty if it embraces socialism?
The likely challenges or benefits the smart devices have on our brain
“Dress how you’ll be addressed”: should this saying be considered primitive or still valid?
Why should high school children be encouraged to pursue higher learning?
The bridge students loan places on educational acquisitions
Is history still a valuable subject to teach in schools
What are still the core values for acquiring a Ph.D.?
Does everyone in the academy require a Ph.D.?
Should everyone in the academy aspire towards tenureship?
Should a Ph.D. be a prerequisite to climb the academic ladder?
Anti-Semitism: Why no Nazi Symbol should be represented
The distinction between getting freedom and the implementation of that acquired freedom

GRE Pool of Issue Topics

The pool of topics primarily deals with a set of topics that belong to a particular pattern of analysis. When taking a GRE pool of issue essays, each issue topic provided is followed by a group of assigned instructions on responding to them. Here are some GRE prompts to equip yourself with.

The University system should allow students to Major in one field of study. Agree or disagree?
A state should be able to provide students with free health aids. Discuss this.
Schooling should not be persuaded after high school. State reasons why
Formal learning hinders room for a reality check. Explain in detail what you understand by this
A government moves smoothly under socialism. Against or for? State reasons to back your reasons
Political dissent leads to political growth. Agree or wholly disagree?
Why a government should concern itself primarily with basic needs. Yes or no? State reasons to back up
Why talent is not essential when choosing a field of study. Show with compelling reasons why you think this is true
The demerits of law flexibility. Discuss explicitly
Gender inequality hinders societal growth. Buttress on this with vivid illustrations
The importance of scientific research. Write a concrete response to this
Teaching as a profession is dwindling. Discuss more
The importance of free education. Agree or disagree?
Independence breeds excessive individualism. Good or bad? Discuss
The importance of always trying. Wrote extensively on
What yardstick accurately measures a country’s growth? Discuss
Teachers’ promotion should be based on students’ performance. Yes or no?
Sustainable living is important. Discuss elaborately
More knowledge, more complexities. Discuss this
Relevance of communication. Write a response to this
Challenges of learning disabilities. Discuss this
Promoting talent can be wasteful. Explore this assertion critically

GRE Analytical Writing Topics

When preparing for your GRE, analytical writing skills should be grounded in as they part of your GRE exercise. They determine your logical and cohesive manner of articulating arguments. Here are some GRE analytical writing prompts.

The American government shouldn’t regulate birth control pills
Why the notion of “strong woman” is stereotypical
Cancel culture does more harm than good
Internet woke culture is denying a must-have conversation
College students should base career choice on ability, not talent
Young people should have access to free education
Unemployment breeds social insecurity
Socialism will do more harm than capitalism
Feminism advocates for everyone
Media scrutiny is an upgraded version of cyberbullying
A travel ban is a restriction on movement
Work culture breeds more burnout than going to the gym
Cooperation breeds more room for growth than competition
Exams promote the ability to remember than the ability to know
Social media breeds more insecurity than entertainment
Beauty culture promotes more anxiety cases
Hard work in capitalism means slavery
Food insecurity causes poor school performance
Government should have a limit to citizens’ lives
Lawless breeds anarchy, Law breeds excessive control
The Healthcare system should be free
Health insurance should be all-inclusive

GRE Writing Topics

GRE writing essay topics usually fall within these categories. Education, technology and society, cities, arts, government and power, intellectual endeavors, philosophy. Here are some topics.

Business education does not require schooling
Digital marketing is taking over marketing. Agree or disagree?
Government policies affect the business flow
Leadership impacts business growth
Business people should not stay neutral during politics
Success in creative writing takes a while
Perseverance is important in creativity
Talents play little role in creativity
The innate ability has an edge on creativity
Hard work plays an intrinsic part in creativity
The emotional argument is still an argument. Explore this elaborately.
Basing arguments solely on emotion is improbable. What is your response?
Facts and statistics are important in any argument
Facts can be subjective
Subjective arguments can win cases
Free education is a human right
Student loan hinders educational growth
Government should provide free education systems
Reactions are determined by emotions
Behavior can be controlled. Discuss this succinctly
Laws are necessary for societal growth
Peace promotes national unity and security

ETS Essay Topics

ETS—Educational Testing Service has always been that examining body that has been around for a very long time, helping graduate students prepare for their next chapter of the academic pursuit. There are so many ETS essay topics to look into, and here are some.

To understand society, you must pay attention to the very fabric of its people
In learning, a beginner is more likely to become known than an expert
Following due process requires that there first have to be a functional democracy
Knowledge is crucial but wisdom is important
Selfcare is gradually becoming capitalist
Understanding neo-capitalism requires you to understand capitalism first
Being a good marketer sometimes has nothing to do with studying it in school
Separation of power cannot stand with an effective rule of law
Attention and understanding play a huge part in learning
Social media is creating a distorted view of reality
Creating an appealing image isn’t the same as reality
Reality can be carved out in a picture, but the picture isn’t reality
Beauty should not be questioned
Government should know they’re a servant and not overlords
Creating a harmonic society requires a lot of concession
Freedom isn’t always easily gotten, and not all freedom is true freedom
The best type of argument can be subjective enough to tell the truth
Acquiring education is important, but education isn’t only achieved in a school
The primary goal of every lawful society should be protecting its citizenry
We can learn much more from lessons than classrooms
A leader is first a servant
Religion isn’t necessarily spirituality.

GRE AWA Topics

Analytical Writing Assessment measures your critical and analytical writing and thinking skills through your GRE test. Here are some prompts on your GRE AWA Topics sample.

Students should focus more on understanding than cramming
Cramming does not entail knowledge
The academy encourages wrong learning methods in students
Education is the key but in school?
Knowledge is not wisdom
College students should be encouraged to write research papers
Researching is essential to learning
Researching broadens the mind
College students should major in more than one course
Researchers are not scientists but all scientists are researchers
Food insecurity withdraws a country’s growth by 50%
Government funding of healthcare is essential
Free health insurance should be a basic human right
The promotion of unity drives growth in a society
Comradeship is important even in politics
Obeying the leasing government might not often be the right call
Dissent in politics isn’t terrorism
Assessment of students’ learning should be on the ability
The academy is experiencing a gradual decline
Colossal failure is bearable than a gradual decline
Government funding of basic amenities is essential
Obeying rules and regulations do not completely make one patriotic

GRE Pool of Argument Topics

The GRE pool of argument functions in the same way as the GRE pool of issue topics. The major distinction between both is that one focuses primarily on issue topics while the other topics dwell predominantly in argumentative writing because each argument topic presents an argument followed by an analysis pattern for it. Here are topic prompt examples on the subject.

Write a response to the challenges faced by low-income neighborhoods in Southern America
What is your position on the issue of the Covid-19 vaccine and conspiracy theories around it
Vaccination is important, but in every case, vaccines should be medically advised before us. Critic this
Write an argumentative essay on while tenureship should be given to lecturers without PH.D.
Birth control pills are a way to control women’s bodies. Posit your points on this
Extensively discuss the issue of food insecurity in America
Food waste is prevalent in America while food insecurity persists. Why do you think this is?
Curbing insecurity in a country can only be championed by good governance. Argue critically
Argue critically for the benefits of women liberation globally
Technology has brought growth as well as challenges.
Social media brings positivity
Social media’s negativity consistently looms. Argue objectively
Internship is beneficial to every college student.
Marijuana has been proven to have certain health benefits. What are the odds?
Survey is paramount for any new production.
A declining economy is a leadership problem
What is the possibility that Ethnography is more modern than anthropology
Supplements can be used for ailments. Argue for
Off-campus students have a wholesome school experience than boarders. Argue elaborately
Homeownership breeds a lot of expense than renting
Institutional neglect is one major issue faced in the American south
High grades do not justify intelligence.

If you are worried about how to go about an essay, your essay writing needs can be met with essay writing help from expert writers who are professionals in their fields. You are not just provided with the writing assistance you require but also, you get a quality and custom essay at a cheap rate and fast turnaround time that will definitely get you good grades.

Get it done risk-free

With top experts across the board, 10 days to request free revisions, and a 60-day money-back guarantee, sleep tight while we handle your.

Enjoy this post? Rate it!

GRE essay topics | 4 most valuable tips with examples!

Will you be appearing for gre soon if yes, then you must know these tips to score well in the essay section. we also have a list of examples to give you a better idea of how to create your answers. keep scrolling for help on gre essay topics, table of contents, write practice essays, pick actual selective instances, prevent using individual references , make firm assertions while concluding, list of gre analytical writing assessment topics, analyze an issue task | sample , template for the gre issue task, analyze an argument | sample, template for gre argument task, key takeaways.

The GRE essay topics, including those on the issue task, are so diverse that there appears to be no particular pattern in the GRE we’ve seen. There are debates about fixed terms for leaders, moralizing about job training, philosophical musings regarding work and motivation, and rumors that scandals can benefit society. Despite such a diverse range, the issue essays fall into several buckets or categories of GRE essay topics.

The GRE analytical writing segment contains two types of questions-

Analytical writing evaluation.
Examine an argument.

Candidates have 30 minutes to respond to each question.

Points to consider while writing a GRE essay

A perfect score of 6 on the GRE’s issue essay can ‌improve your chances of admission to graduate school! Here are 4 pointers to help you get that perfect 6 on your issue essay.

You can prepare for the GRE by researching AWA prompts and practicing writing a handful of them within the 30-minute time limit. Setting up test-like situations and getting to work is the only way to become comfortable with time constraints.

Don’t be too broad! Theoretical arguments are easily debunked. The simple counter to any “what if” argument is to question whether the hypothetical scenario ever would occur. You can select from a broad range of topics, such as personal experience, pop culture, background, sports, publications, current events, politics, etc.

Overall, you must stop writing the issue essay in the first person. Using phrases like “I believe” or “in my opinion” adds unnecessary words because the reader knows the problem essay is marked from your point of view.

Being direct eliminates the possibility of misunderstandings or misinterpretations. Make strong, declarative statements to avoid confusion on the GRE issue essay. Many GRE students are unsure what to write in their conclusion. Introduce the opposing viewpoint, demonstrating that you are aware that some individuals do not agree with you.

The GRE essay comprises GRE Analyze an Issue task and Assess an Argument topic. Candidates must write an essay in which they must respond to a short statement on a topic of general interest. This task assesses candidates’ capability to think critically about a topic of personal interest and convey their thoughts in writing.

Candidates taking the exam would be given a conceptual approach that can be viewed from a variety of perspectives. They would be instructed to take a stand on the subject and to develop and promote that stand. The GRE analytical writing examples are provided with each GRE AWA topic to help test takers understand the essay format. You can also refer to certain books to improve your vocabulary.

GRE essay topic | Analyze an Issue task

GRE-Analyze an Issue task comes with a scenario that may contain a statement/ a claim/ a claim + reason/ 2 or more sides/views of an issue. Each of these will be followed by an instruction. Make sure you create a proper plan before attempting this task.

There are different topics for this task according to the instruction types, as shown in the table.


Agree/Disagree with a Statement	Workplace, Politics, Society, Government
Agree/Disagree with a Recommendation	Workplace, Government, Education System, Science
Agree/Disagree with a Claim	Education, Profession, State, Nation, Law
Which view aligns with your perception?	Politics, Arts, Science
Agree/Disagree with a Claim and Its Basis	Current events, Education
Explain Your Views on a Policy	Government, Education, Politics, Business

Follow the outline below to make the 30-minute AWA writing task easy:

1 minute: Begin by reading the prompt carefully at least twice to understand the given context.
3 minutes: The next few minutes should be on brainstorming ideas for your essay. Think in terms of a four-paragraph structure: a thesis/introduction, two main body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
24 minutes: In these 24 minutes, focus on writing a 400-500 word essay with the points you brainstormed. The essay can be written in four paragraphs.
2 minutes: The last 2 minutes should be se aside to check and edit your task. Here, you should focus on final editing and proofreading and try not to add any new content to your essay. Make sure to read your essay at least twice, and correct any grammar and spelling mistakes as you read.

As people rely more and more on technology to solve problems, the ability of humans to think for themselves will surely deteriorate.

Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold and explain how these considerations shape your position.

The below template will help you structure your content better and score well on the task.

Paragraph 1 | Introduction

You can start the first paragraph with a relevant quote or proverb. Then paraphrase the given statement and give a response to the statement. Also, provide a preview of your reasons in 1 sentence.

Paragraph 2 | Main body paragraph 1

Write the primary reason in the first line. Explain the reason in a sentence or two. You can use an example from your knowledge or experience and explain it by including as many vivid details as possible.

Paragraph 3 | Main body paragraph 2

Write your second reason in this paragraph and explain the reason in a sentence or two. You can write an example here too, while including proper details about the same.

Paragraph 4 | Conclusion

To conclude, restate the thesis and the two reasons mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 3.

GRE essay topic | Analyze an Argument task

The second section of the GRE analytical writing or essay topic is Analyze an Argument. Candidates must write about one of the provided GRE essay topics in which they must analyze a paragraph-length argument from a pool of concerned topics. They are not, however, necessary to display their perspectives on the topic of the debate.

This task tests students’ ability to comprehend, analyze, and think critically about a variety of issue topics. The assertions will be introduced in a short paragraph that expresses the author’s point of view or case. Candidates must determine and evaluate whether it is logically sound.

You can follow the below outline for the 30- minute task:

1 minute: Start the question by reading the passage carefully. Analyze the reading passage to separate the main conclusion from the supporting premises.
4 minutes: Spend these 4 minutes brainstorming and generating ideas for your task.
23 minutes: Write your task in these 23 minutes.
2 minutes: As mentioned above, set this time aside for final editing and proofreading.

The following appeared in a memorandum written by the chairperson of the West Egg Town Council.

“Two years ago, consultants predicted that West Egg’s landfill, which is used for garbage disposal, would be filled within five years. During the past two years, however, the town’s residents have been recycling twice as much material as they did in previous years. Next month the amount of recycled material — which includes paper, plastic, and metal — should further increase since charges for pickup of other household garbage will double. Furthermore, over 90 percent of the respondents to a recent survey said that they would do more recycling in the future. Because of our town’s strong commitment to recycling, the available space in our landfill should last for considerably longer than predicted.”

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

Here’s a template for you to plan your writing better and ace this section.

Start by restating the author’s conclusion, i.e., his opinion. Then, summarize the facts or proposals the author provided that led him to his conclusion–and identify them, especially as evidence. In the last sentence, state clearly that the argument is flawed. (There is no need to list the specifics of your three examples in your thesis.)

You need to write 4-6 sentences in this paragraph. Start by identifying a primary assumption and giving examples of evidence that would be unlikely to be true, weakening the conclusion.

Main Body Paragraph 2: In this paragraph, write another assumption or flaw in the author’s reasoning and show how more evidence could undermine the argument. Make sure you are writing at least 4-6 sentences.

Paragraph 4 | Main body paragraph 3

Here, focus on explaining the terminology used by the author and explain it in 4-6 sentences.

Paragraph 5 | Conclusion

To conclude, restate the original thesis. State that the argument has too many flaws and that the author has more work to do. Remember, you do not have to fix it but just state it.

The GRE essay section is an important aspect of the test that students must focus on. It is always good to prepare by appearing for some mock essay tests and analyzing your strengths and weaknesses.
The GRE Analytical Writing essay topics, including those for the issue task, come from such a diverse range of fields that no discernible pattern can be found in the GRE writing prompts.
Candidates must compose an essay in which they have to interact with a short statement on a topic of common concern.

We hope you found this blog on “GRE essay topics” informative. Reach out to us if you have any doubts, and don’t forget to comment below and share your thoughts!

Liked this blog? Read next: GRE analytical writing | Here’s all you need to know!

Q1. What kinds of essays appear on the GRE?

Answer- When taking the GRE, you will be required to write two essays: an issue essay and an argument essay.

Q2. How many GRE essay subjects are there?

Answer- There are 152 potential GRE essay topics in the GRE problem pool and 176 possible GRE essay topics, mostly in the GRE argument pool, so you won’t run out of formal prompts to practice with.

Q3. Do GRE AWA topics come up again and again?

Answer- Yes! They ‌ask a question from their huge question bank again and again. If any of your friends decided to take their GRE a few days before you, you might see some of their questions repeated on your exam.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 1

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

People also liked

IELTS success| Tips to master each section

Importance of IELTS grammar | Tips and tricks

TOEFL and IELTS | Role of contextual & academic words

Simulated tests | Opportunity to overcome challenges

TOEFL, IELTS, & GRE exam structure | Key differences 2024!

Ace the GMAT exam | Navigate quant & verbal difficulties!

Start your journey with iSchoolPrep

Need help with your Test Preparations? Contact Us for more details

Inquire Now

Get e-books, expert guidance, live classes and more....

Table of Contents
What is the GRE?
GRE Scores & Admissions
How the GRE CAT Works
GRE Tips & Strategies
Reading Intro
1. Passage Classification
2. Analyzing Paragraphs
3. GRE Passage Mapping
4. Find the Main Idea
5. Determine Purpose
Detail of the Passage
Definition of a Term
Support for a Premise
Function of Passage Part
Cultural Hard Ex. 1
Society Passages
Science Medium Ex. 1
Science Medium Essay 2
GRE Reasoning Intro
Most Strongly Supported
Argument Structure Questions
Ad Hominem Flaws
Argumentative Flaws
Assumptions Questions
Parallel Reasoning
Parallelism Questions
Causal Arguments
Statistical Reasoning
Weaken Reasoning
Sufficient/Necessary
Paradox Questions
Modify Questions
Consecutive Numbers
Divisibility
Algebra Simplifying Rules
Exponent Expressions
Complex Expressions
Inequalities
Working With Formulas
Intersecting Lines
Coordinate Geometry
Simple Probability
Independent Events
Dependent Events
Working Backwards
Using Outcomes
Other Scenarios
Permutations
Problem Variations
Combinations
Combination or Permutation
Statistics Introduction
Normal Distribution
Seven Techniques
Quantitative Comparisons
Ratio and Proportion
Distance, Rate & Time
Graphs and Data Interpretation
Mean, Median and Mode
Analytical Writing Intro
Analysis of Issue: Content
Analysis of Issue: Structure
Analysis of Issue: Timing
Dissecting Arguments
Finding Errors
Eliminating Fill Sentences
Qualification
Start Strong
Active Voice
Self-Reference
Vague Writing
Voice Shifting
Colloquialisms
Using Hyphens Correctly
Analysis of Argument Questions
Analysis of Issue Questions
10 Most Common Errors
GRE VOCABULARY LIST
Text Completion
Sentence Equivalence
Sample GRE Tests
Course near me
5 GRE Tests
Mission / About Us

The Real GRE Essay Questions

Home » Free GRE Prep Course » Free GRE Prep Course » The Real GRE Essay Questions

1. Look at all the Real GRE AWA Questions

To beat the competition, you will need to do some brainstorming for all 400 AWA questions. Any of them could appear on your GRE, so you should spend some time preparing in advance. While there are many questions possible, the good news is there are no surprises. You will be able to review all of the potential questions beforehand.

Analyze an Issue
Analyze an Argument

Skim through all of the essay questions. You are guaranteed to see one question from each section on test day, so take quick notes on each of the questions. Then go back and read each one again. Pause for a minute to ponder the topic. At least three or four ideas will probably pop into your mind; jot them down. At this point, don’t try to organize your thoughts or commit to a position.

2. Review Sample Essay Answers

We’ve provided ten sample responses for each type of essay. These will help you get a sense of the caliber of writing expected by the GRE graders.

There is no one “correct” response to any AWA question.
These essays were written in 30-45 minute periods. They represent 5-6 score essays.

Free COURSE

GRE Scores and Admissions
3. Passage Mapping
2. Society Passages
Critical Reasoning Review
Question Types

244 5th Avenue #2638 New York, NY 10001 US Contact Us

GMAT Prep | GMAT Classes GRE Prep | GRE Classes LSAT Prep | LSAT Classes MCAT Classes SAT Classes

The GRE ® General Test

One test for graduate, business and law school

Select a step to learn more about your GRE ® General Test journey.

Test Content

The GRE General Test closely reflects the kind of thinking you’ll do in today's demanding graduate school programs, including business and law. It measures your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills — skills that have been developed over a long period of time and aren’t related to a specific field of study but are important for all.

Verbal Reasoning

The Verbal Reasoning section measures your ability to:

analyze and draw conclusions from discourse; reason from incomplete data; identify author's assumptions and/or perspective; understand multiple levels of meaning, such as literal, figurative and author's intent
select important points; distinguish major from minor or irrelevant points; summarize text; understand the structure of a text
understand the meaning of individual words, sentences and entire texts; understand relationships among words and among concepts

Take a closer look at the Verbal Reasoning section .

Quantitative Reasoning

The Quantitative Reasoning section measures your ability to:

understand, interpret and analyze quantitative information
solve problems using mathematical models
apply basic skills and elementary concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis

Take a closer look at the Quantitative Reasoning section .

Analytical Writing

The Analytical Writing section measures your ability to:

articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively
support ideas with relevant reasons and examples
sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion
control the elements of standard written English

It requires you to provide focused responses based on the tasks presented, so you can accurately demonstrate your skill in directly responding to a task.

Take a closer look at the Analytical Writing section .

Modified versions of Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning questions

The test you take may include questions that are modified versions of published questions or of questions you’ve already seen on the test. Some modifications are substantial; others are less apparent.

Even if a question appears to be similar to a question you’ve already seen, it may in fact be different and have a different answer. Pay careful attention to the wording of each question.

Test structure

Learn more about the test sections and their timing .

Get the Reddit app

This subreddit is for discussion of the GRE (Graduate Record Examination). If you're studying for the GRE, or can help people who are studying for the GRE, you're in the right place!

List of Issue Essay Prompts

Is there anywhere I can find a huge list of issue essay prompts?

I’m on gregmat and found this: http://words.gregmat.com/greessay.html but it only shows one at a time.

Would love to see a long list just to look over. Thanks!

Project Types We Cover

Admissions Essay
PowerPoint Presentation
Research Paper
Book Reviews
Personal Statement
Ph.D Dissertation
Proofreading

Academic Fields & Subjects

Programming
Computer Science
Other projects we help with
Our Experts
Plagiarism Checker
All About GRE Essay Topics

Plagiarism-free

30 Day Money Back

Premium Quality

Safe & Easy Payment

This is one of the most in-demand test scores that you must-have when applying for higher-level education. It will show your "preparedness" for a university. This is considered a critical component when it comes to Fulbright applications and the top international universities. These institutions have selected it as the criteria to find students who qualify as the crop cream.

Even if the application does not specify this, and IELTS is on the list, you must still give it. This is because it will provide an extra boost to your profile. It also shows the grad school that you are a serious candidate. If you have already appeared for SATs, you will have a basic understanding of these tests. Do not take this one lightly, as this by no means is equal to the SAT or any other exams that are required for junior level.

About GRE Test Sections

This is a computer-delivered test. Unlike most exams, gre features questions that are based on or will reflect your thinking and skills. It is very student-friendly, as it lets you skip questions. If you are dubious about any questions, then go forwards. Once you are done with the entire section, you can return to this part and give it a little time. Before preparing for this exam, you must take a look at its structure.

It will test you on four different levels. These are critical thinking skills, analytical writing skills, verbal and quantitative reasoning. Now, you cannot learn these overnight, as they develop throughout the lifespan. The analytical part is all about how well you can support and articulate challenging ideas.

In contrast, the verbal reasoning portion revolves around meanings and the relationship between words. Just like the name suggests, the quantitative reasoning part is about numbers. This will measure your ability to solve mathematical problems related to algebra, geometry, and data analysis.

About GRE Essays

As discussed before, the analytical portion tests your ability to tackle complex ideas. This is always the first section and has a time limit of 30 minutes for the two tasks. You will either have to analyze an issue or an argument. Now, you cannot read essays and attempt one on the exam day.

Try to practice beforehand. Learn the GRE word list and do make a list of handy idioms and phrases. These will add an extra oomph to your writing. Try to practice the habit of brainstorming before penning down an essay. Read essays regularly that are written by professionals after you have attempted it yourself.

This will help you in figuring out your mistakes. You will also gather how professionals handle a topic and write on it from a 360-degree view. Do work on those commas and colons of yours. Your punctuation and grammar should be on point. This is something that you can improve over time and not only by reading out rules related to them. Check out an example of an analytical essay .

Check the structure, coherence, grammar, and ideas. Try to write a rough essay and get it checked by a professor. It is crucial to receive constant feedback. However, the golden words to remember here are "less reading and more writing." Spend more time in the actual writing part as opposed to reading essays from a stranger.

Type 1: Issue Essay

This essay type requires you to give your opinion on the given topic. There will also be a set of instructions that you must keep in view while responding to the quotation. Now the time limit is horrifying. You will have to brainstorm, form a response, and write your essay. If you answer any other issue if you deviate from the topic or the given set of instructions, you will be awarded zero marks.

Here are five strategies that you can use to avoid such a situation:

Read the instructions carefully, highlight them, and do include them in your brainstorm "bubbles."
Try to remain organized. Your essay must follow the standard structure that is: Introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
It would be best if you gave examples or supporting points for your topic sentences.
Do not repeat anything. Keep your essay engaging.
Most importantly, stay in line with the issue. All of your points must make their way back towards the quotations.

Type 2: Argument Essay

This is the most exciting part that students can't wait to attempt. It is because the examiner demands you to write a critique on the topic. Here you will be given a short and exciting passage. It will be presenting an argument and specific instructions just as you were given for the issue essay. Again, you will have a limited time of 30 minutes that must be used wisely. Do not get carried away and deviate from the argument. Here are some tips that will help you with this type:

The examiner is not looking for the "right" argument but is somewhat interested in critically assessing the situation and giving relevant supporting material.
The graders have a limited time to check your essay. Try to make your paper readable. The structure must be clear.
Do not jump to a conclusion without making your point clear. Try to write as much as you can without repeating anything.
Always brainstorm and make an outline. Do not jump to the writing part immediately, as you will lose marks.
Study the argumentative essay structure in detail.

Plan of Attack

Here is a summarized plan that you must use when you are in a GRE war zone. First, read all directions carefully and jot down the keywords on a rough page/space. After that, begin with brainstorming, and develop an outline. If you are writing an argument, then write down the pros and cons.

After that, choose a side. Try to come up with as many examples as you can. Do write to them in the outline, as there is a chance that you can forget them afterward. Think of a fantastic hook or attention grabber to start your essay with. Develop your thesis statement. After that, begin with the writing part. Once done, proofread and start with the editing. Fix all of those errors and make your work flawless.

Categories of GRE Essay Topics

To help you in the practicing phase, some GRE essay categories will be discussed in detail. You can use them as your homework help and practice them daily. You can either make new topics using these or pick from these and come up with an amazing essay. Try getting it checked by your GRE instructor, who will tell you if you have deviated from an issue or have any grammatical mistakes.

Feedback before the exam is a must. You should practice at least for a month or two. This time must be dedicated solely for writing purposes. The phase where you learn the grammar rules must come before the practicing part. Go through the online question bank. You can also solve the online grammar questions. In this way, you will receive quick feedback. Let's begin with the categories:

You will get a topic that revolves around "education". This can include any of the aspects. It can be the majors, curriculum, or other issues in education. You must have information related to such elements to produce a quality piece of writing in 30 minutes. You can be asked to comment on classroom sizes, teaching methods, or the role of technology in modern learning.

Here are some ideas:

What should be the limit of modern classroom size to ensure that every student gets individual attention from the instructor?
Claim: Universities must place a cap on the number of students enrolled every year.
Should schools prioritize more creative and critical thinking skills?
What role should technology play in the classroom?
Are there alternative pathways to success that don't require a traditional four-year degree?
How can schools better support minority and lower-income students to ensure they have equal access to quality education?
Should schools teach life skills, such as financial literacy and time management?
How can teachers effectively integrate multicultural perspectives and diversity into their curriculum?
What impact do extracurricular activities, such as sports and clubs, have on student development?
Is it ever appropriate for teachers to share their personal beliefs and values with students?
How can we improve the quality and effectiveness of teacher training programs?
Should schools prioritize vocational education and job training over traditional academic subjects?
How can we address the growing issue of bullying and create safe and supportive school environments for all students?
Is homeschooling a viable alternative to traditional schooling?
To what extent does the education system contribute to social and economic inequality?

As the GRE exam is a test for grad school, the education-related topics come up more often than others. Try to collect facts and figures. These must be universal so that you can write them in an essay that is from this area.

Society And Technology

This is a broad area. You can get general topics as well as some specific ones too. Try to have updated information about advanced technology and its role in different aspects of our life. You must conduct your research on how technology saves time, money, and energy. Here are some examples:

Life-saving technology investments are more crucial than investing in luxurious technologies.
The new war zones lie in having robust technology.
The goal of developing countries is to have the most advanced technology.
The most significant technological breakthroughs were unplanned and are a result of accidents.
Technology has impacted the way we form and maintain relationships in modern society.
What role should technology play in combating social and economic inequality?
Widespread use of social media contribute to a more informed and engaged citizenry.
How can technological advancements be used to promote greater inclusivity and accessibility for individuals with disabilities?
Technology help address the critical issues facing the environment and global sustainability.
Should governments be making greater efforts to regulate the use of technology, particularly when it comes to issues of privacy and security?
Technological innovations can be leveraged to address issues of food security and agriculture in rural communities.
In what ways are technological advancements enabling new forms of work and labor?
What role can technology play in addressing public health threats, such as pandemics and infectious disease outbreaks?
Individuals and organizations should be responsible for mitigating the negative impacts of technology on society.
How can technological innovations be used to promote greater transparency and accountability in government and corporate institutions?

This may seem like a random essay topic area, but you must trust that most of the topics are related to this. Here are some examples that you can use as essay topics.

The quality of life in a planned vs. unplanned city.
Claim: Businesses have greater chances to prosper in urban cities.
The pollution in urban cities is the primary cause of crop damage.
Is gentrification a positive or negative force in urban areas?
Should cities invest in public transportation or work towards becoming more pedestrian-friendly?
How can cities balance the need for economic growth with preserving historic districts and cultural heritage?
Is urban sprawl sustainable in the long-term, or should cities focus on increasing density?
Governments should prioritize affordable housing initiatives in cities.
How can cities mitigate the negative effects of pollution and improve air quality for their residents?
Gated communities and private urban enclaves are detrimental to overall social cohesion in cities.
The pros and cons of implementing a congestion charge or toll for entering city centers during peak hours.
Cities should invest in "smart city" technologies to improve efficiency and quality of life for citizens.
How can cities address the issue of food deserts and ensure access to healthy, affordable food for all residents?
What role do public parks and green spaces play in the health and well-being of urban populations?
Are bike-sharing programs effective in reducing traffic congestion and promoting sustainable transportation in cities?

If you have a knack for art, then here are some exciting topics for you. You can be extremely artistic with words and expressions while writing such content. Always brainstorm before you get to the writing part. This is because such topics can be pretty challenging. Here are some examples for you:

The government should encourage the film-makers to come up with content that addresses real public issues.
Artists are shifting towards social media platforms to showcase their artwork as there is less traffic in the art museums.
Modern art vs. historical pieces.
Is the use of technology in art, such as digital art, a positive or negative development?
Does the market value placed on art reflect its true merit?
Art is often seen as an elitist pursuit. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Can art be used as a tool for social change?
Does art have a responsibility to address political or social issues?
Is the concept of beauty subjective or objective in art?
To what extent does cultural background influence the interpretation and understanding of art?
Are traditional art forms becoming obsolete in the face of modern art?
Can art be used to challenge or subvert existing power structures?
Are artists obligated to create socially conscious works that raise awareness about pressing or controversial issues?
Does censorship have a place in the art world?
What is the role of art in human society?

Now, this might not be an exciting area for some of you. However, the ones who readily consume information about governmental affairs can quickly write on it.

Here are some examples:

Democracy vs. bureaucracy.
Business and lobbying.
Governmental decisions that can affect business activities.
The foremost goal of a leader must be to promote innovation.
Government should have the power to regulate big tech companies such as Facebook and Google?
Is democracy the best form of government, or are there better alternatives?
Should free healthcare be provided to all citizens?
Is government responsible for ensuring equal access to education and job opportunities for all citizens?
Is the current two-party system in the United States effective?
Should political campaigns be publicly funded?
It is government's responsibility to address and combat climate change.
Government should regulate the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food production.
Should the United States switch to a parliamentary system?
Should the Supreme Court have term limits?
Are current immigration policies effective and just, or do they need to be reevaluated and reformed?

Intellectual Endeavors

Here are some examples that you can use to practice:

Scientific fields require more research and development as compared to other fields.
Individuals can develop brilliant ideas; however, ground-breaking ideas develop when a diverse group of individuals comes together.
Is the pursuit of knowledge ultimately valuable for its own sake, or only for its practical applications?
In what ways do intellectual endeavors contribute to society, and what responsibilities do intellectuals have to use their knowledge for the greater good?
Reading, writing, and debating can help individuals develop more critical perspectives on social and political issues.
How do cultural differences shape intellectual pursuits?
It is necessary to challenge our own beliefs and assumptions in order to truly engage in intellectual discourse and discover new ideas.
Are academic institutions adequately equipped to support and encourage intellectual inquiry and creative work?
How can we balance the benefits of specialization in intellectual fields with the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and holistic understanding?
What role do intellectual pursuits play in shaping our individual identities?
How can intellectual endeavors contribute to solving contemporary global problems such as climate change, inequality, or political instability?
What ethical responsibilities do intellectual leaders have in terms of how their work is interpreted and used by others?
Explore the relationship between intellectual freedom and censorship, and the importance of protecting the former.
Intellectual diversity and its implications for knowledge creation and innovation.
The challenges and opportunities of collaborative intellectual endeavors.

Philosophical

Some examples of philosophy related essay topics are:

The difference between successful and unsuccessful people is that the former continually seeks out opportunities.
Self-criticism is valuable and it is much more crucial than that received from others.
Humans are innately good-natured.
Impact of philosophical ideas on political ideologies.
Can all moral dilemmas be solved through ethical reasoning?
Is there a purpose to life beyond survival and reproduction?
Is it possible to know anything for certain?
Is free will an illusion or a fundamental aspect of human nature?
Can we be truly free if everything we do is determined by prior causes?
Does the existence of evil in the world prove that God cannot exist?
Can secular ethics provide a meaningful basis for morality?
Is the mind separate from the body, or are they fundamentally interconnected?
Is there an inherent meaning to life, or is it up to each individual to create their own meaning?
Does the universe have a purpose, or is it fundamentally meaningless?
Does morality come from God, or is it a product of human reasoning?

Issue Topics

You will be stated along with some instructions. It would be best if you did not deviate from these as you will lose marks. Here are some examples of such essays:

One must study the major cities to understand the characteristics of a society.
Governments must make sure that small businesses receive financial support to keep on operating.
Every university student must take minors that fall outside their field of study.
Nations should have flexible laws to tackle various situations.
Should governments prioritize environmental policies over economic growth for long-term sustainability?
Is the death penalty an effective means of deterring crime and protecting society?
Should universities prioritize diversity and inclusivity in their admissions process?
Ethics of genetic engineering and its potential societal implications.
Impact of automation on employment, income inequality, and job security.
Role of government in regulating the pharmaceutical industry and ensuring access to affordable healthcare.
Effectiveness of international aid and development programs in addressing global poverty and inequality.
Impact of globalization on cultural identity and social cohesion.
Ethics of surveillance and government monitoring in the name of national security.
Should schools implement mandatory mental health counseling for students?
Is it ethical to use animals for scientific research?

Argument Topics

Try to select some interesting argumentative essay topics to work on. These require a lot of practice as you are required to provide your opinion on it. It would be best if you learned the art of giving a thesis and antithesis. For this part, you will be given a short passage along with specific instructions. It can be related to any of the categories mentioned above. Go through the passages that are available online or in the practice books. You will be asked to write a response or for specific evidence that you will need to evaluate the argument. You will also have to explain whether that evidence strengthens or weakens the argument.

Impeccable GRE Argument Essay

Once you have practiced the "plan of attack" mentioned above and have practiced the online passages, you will no longer be in hot water. The key to success is time management and that outline of yours. Nail these, and you are set to score the highest marks. Here is some advice: "do not beat around the bush." Students tend to deviate from the topic. Stay on the topic. Discuss it in detail and take sides. Otherwise, you will be awarded a score of zero, and that is something you cannot afford at any cost.

How Not To Stress Out?

GRE can be very scary. That is why you must begin your preparation a few months before the exam. Keep practicing essays and general grammar. Some websites offer a plethora of topics and passages. You must read, understand, solve, and get them checked by an instructor. Plan and master the art of student time management .

Already Got Help? Write Your Review

New Here? Get $5 OFF Your First Project

We are a team of enthusiastic professionals and geeks in our field. At the very start of the project

Money-Back Guarantee

Support 24/7

No Hidden Charges

Who Are the Experts?

Our experts are alumni from the world’s top universities and colleges.

All of them have successfully passed the Studybay examination and proven their competence to our team.

Our experts have graduated from the best universities in the world

Want to contact us directly? No problem. We are always here for you

70 Sample GRE Essay Topics for You to Practice

Table of Contents

Are you a candidate who desires to pursue your higher studies in a foreign universities? If yes, then you will have to score high in the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). GRE is a popular graduate admission test conducted for candidates who wish to complete their graduate or MS studies abroad. This test is conducted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Most importantly, the test scores are also accepted for admission by many universities and colleges across the world. GRE is one of the largest assessments that are composed of various sections. Out of many sections, Analytical Writing is an important section with high weightage. Here, in this blog post, let us have a closer look at the GRE Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) and some sample GRE essay topics.

Are you a GRE test taker who wants to understand more about the GRE analytical writing section? Do you need help to strengthen your analytical writing skills? If yes, then continue reading this blog post.

An Overview of the GRE Analytical Writing Section

The GRE Analytical Writing section is a section in the GRE test. In this section, you will be asked to submit your answers to two different types of analytical essay questions as mentioned below.

Analyze an Issue

Analyze an argument.

The total time duration allotted for the entire section is 60 minutes. But you will have to use a duration of 30 minutes to answer each question.

The analytical writing section is mainly included in the GRE test to assess your critical thinking ability and analytical skills. Also, in this module, the selection panel will also check how effectively you have addressed complex ideas without deviating from logical points.

Here is detailed information about the two question types and their variations.

This question will mostly evaluate your critical thinking ability on a particular topic. Also, it examines how well you have shared your ideas about it in writing. So, when answering the GRE issue analysis essay question type, you will have to put forward your views about the issue that is given in the question.

Actually, for analyzing an issue task, you can find nearly 6 variations in the question. Therefore, before you begin answering the question, first read the question carefully. Next, get a proper understanding of the information or instructions specified in it. Finally, after receiving a clear idea, prepare a compelling essay with your own perspectives on the central issue according to the instructions specified.

Remember, the panel would expect you to write an analytical essay as per the instructions given in the question. If you fail to stick to the instructions, then getting high scores on the GRE test will become hard.

As per the official website of ETS, listed below are the 6 varieties of instructions that you can find in analyzing an issue task. But in the GRE General Test, you will be asked to write an analyzing an issue essay on any one type of instruction.

Variety 1: Agree/ disagree with a statement

Variety 2: Agree/ disagree with a recommendation

Variety 3: Agree/ disagree with a claim

Variety 4: Agree/ disagree with a claim and its basis

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim and the reasons on which that claim is based.

Variety 5: Which view aligns with your own?

Variety 6: Explain your views on a policy

Write a response in which you discuss your views on the policy and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider the possible consequences of implementing the policy and explain how these consequences shape your position.

This question will test your ability to analyze, understand, and evaluate arguments as per the instructions mentioned in this question. So, when answering this question, make sure to analyze the argument given in the question based on logical validity. Remember, for this question, you need not share your personal opinions. When you analyze an argument, you should examine it with logical reasoning and supporting evidence.

Like, analyzing an issue task, analyzing an argument task also comes up with different types of instructions. Therefore, before you start answering the GRE argument analysis essay question, carefully go through the argument. It will help you get a clear understanding of the instructions specified in the question. Once you get a better idea about the question, critically analyze and evaluate the given argument logically. During evaluation, strictly adhere to the instructions specified.

While you read the argument in the question, be certain to focus on the following.

What evidence is given in the prompt paragraph?
What is claimed in the prompt passage?
What is assumed, without proof in the essay question?
What is not stated, but necessarily follows from?

According to the official website of ETS, in the GRE argument analysis essay question, you can commonly find the below-mentioned 8 varieties of instructions. But out of them all, you will be questioned to write an argument analysis essay only on any one type of instruction during the GRE Test.

Variety 1: Evaluate an Argument and Evidence

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

Variety 2: Examine Assumptions and Implications

Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on these assumptions, and what the implications are for the argument if the assumptions prove unwarranted.

Variety 3: Evaluate a Recommendation and its basis

Variety 4: Evaluate the likely results of a Recommendation

Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the recommendation is likely to have the predicted result. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.

Variety 5: Evaluate Advice and Questions

Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the advice and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the advice.

Variety 6: Discuss Alternative Explanations

Variety 7: Evaluate a Prediction and its basis

Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the prediction and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the prediction.

Variety 8: Evaluate a Conclusion and its basis

Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be addressed in order to decide whether the conclusion and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to the questions would help to evaluate the conclusion.

List of Sample GRE Essay Topics and Ideas

Are you searching for the sample GRE Essay Topics to practice? Don’t worry! From the ETS pool of issues and arguments, we have selected and listed some specific sets of GRE Essay topics of various difficulty levels here.

To develop your critical thinking and analytical thinking skills, practice all the sample GRE analytical essay questions.

Simple GRE Essay Prompts

The effectiveness of a country’s leaders is best measured by examining the well-being of that country’s citizens.
The general welfare of a nation’s people is a better indication of that nation’s greatness than the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists.
It is more harmful to compromise one’s own beliefs than to adhere to them.
Educational institutions should actively encourage their students to choose fields of study that will prepare them for lucrative careers.
To understand the most important characteristics of a society, one must study its major cities.
In any field of inquiry, the beginner is more likely than the expert to make important contributions.
There is little justification for society to make extraordinary efforts – especially at a great cost in money and jobs – to save endangered animal or plant species.
Unfortunately, in contemporary society, creating an appealing image has become more important than the reality or truth behind that image
Government officials should rely on their own judgment rather than unquestioningly carry out the will of the people whom they serve.

Read more: Great Discursive Essay Topics for Students to Deal With

Latest GRE Essay Topics

Social anxiety disorder symptoms are mostly caused by negative experiences and a family history of anxiety.
Money laundering is one of the factors that contribute to terrorism.
People who return to school after a period of working might get more out of their degree.
Every nation should remove the caste system to ensure equality and inclusion.
Artificial intelligence, robots, and machine learning are transforming the commercial sector.
Political parties should support persons from lower socioeconomic strata.
The keys to success are obedience and discipline.
Teenagers confront a variety of issues, ranging from cyberbullying to sex to academic and peer pressure.
Rapid industrialization is one of the most effective strategies to transition from a developing to a developed country.
To maintain environmental sustainability, the government should transition to renewable energy sources.

GRE Essay Topics on Issue Analysis

Young people should be motivated to pursue long-term, realistic goals rather than looking for quick fame and recognition.
Politicians should pursue common ground and reasonable consensus rather than elusive ideals.
Students should always question what they are taught instead of accepting it passively.
People’s attitudes are determined more by their immediate situation or surroundings than by society as a whole.
The human mind will always be superior to machines because machines are the only tools of human minds.
Educational institutions should discourage students from chasing after fields of study in which they are unlikely to succeed.
Society should make efforts to save endangered species only if the potential extinction of those species is the result of human activities.
Governments should offer college and university education free of charge to all students.
Competition for high grades seriously limits the quality of learning at all levels of education.
Teachers’ salaries should be based on their students’ academic performance.
In most lines of work and academic fields, imagination is more important than knowledge.

Additional Issue Analysis Topics for GRE Essay

The increasingly rapid pace of life today causes more problems than it solves.
Colleges and universities should require their students to spend at least one semester studying in a foreign country.
College students should base their choice of a field of study on the availability of jobs in that field.
All parents should be demanded to volunteer time at their children’s schools.
People should try risky actions only after they have carefully considered their consequences.
The following appeared as part of an article in a Dillton newspaper.
The following appeared in a memo from New Ventures Consulting to the president of HobCo, Inc., a chain of hobby shops.
We learn our most valuable lessons in life from struggling with our limitations rather than from enjoying our successes.
In any field — business, politics, education, government — those in power should be required to step down after five years.
The best test of an argument is the argument’s ability to convince someone with an opposing viewpoint.
To be an effective leader, a public official must maintain the highest ethical and moral standards.
Knowing about the past cannot help people to make important decisions today.

A Few More GRE Issue Analysis Essay Questions

True success can be measured primarily in terms of the goals one sets for oneself.
a goal is worthy, then any means taken to attain it are justifiable.
The primary goal of technological advancement should be to increase people’s efficiency so that they have more leisure time.
We can learn much more from people whose views we share than from people whose views contradict our own.
Any leader who is quickly and easily influenced by shifts in popular opinion will accomplish little.
Educators should take students’ interests into account when planning the content of the courses they teach.
Formal education tends to limit our minds and spirits rather than set them free.
True success can be measured mostly in terms of the goals one set for oneself.
The most effective way to understand modern culture is to carefully study the trends of its youth.
Nations should pass laws to preserve any remaining wilderness areas in their natural state.

Read more: Latest International Relations Essay Topics to Consider for Academic Writing

GRE Essay Topics on Argument Analysis

Listed below are some sample GRE argument analysis essay questions taken from the official website of ETS.

1. The following appeared as a recommendation by a committee planning a ten-year budget for the city of Calatrava.

“The birth rate in our city is declining: in fact, last year’s birth rate was only one-half that of five years ago. Thus the number of students enrolled in our public schools will soon decrease dramatically, and we can safely reduce the funds budgeted for education during the next decade. At the same time, we can reduce funding for athletic playing fields and other recreational facilities. As a result, we will have sufficient money to fund city facilities and programs used primarily by adults, since we can expect the adult population of the city to increase.”

2. The following appeared in a memorandum from the planning department of an electric power company.

“Several recent surveys indicate that homeowners are increasingly eager to conserve energy. At the same time, manufacturers are now marketing many home appliances, such as refrigerators and air conditioners that are almost twice as energy-efficient as those sold a decade ago. Also, new technologies for better home insulation and passive solar heating are readily available to reduce the energy needed for home heating. Therefore, the total demand for electricity in our area will not increase – and may decline slightly. Since our three electric generating plants in operation for the past twenty years have always met our needs, construction of new generating plants will not be necessary.”

Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on these assumptions and what the implications are for the argument if the assumptions prove unwarranted.

3. The following report appeared in the newsletter of the West Meria Public Health Council.

“An innovative treatment has come to our attention that promises to significantly reduce absenteeism in our schools and workplaces. A study reports that in nearby East Meria, where fish consumption is very high, people visit the doctor only once or twice per year for the treatment of colds. Clearly, eating a substantial amount of fish can prevent colds. Since colds represent the most frequently given reason for absences from school and work, we recommend the daily use of Ichthaid – a nutritional supplement derived from fish oil – as a good way to prevent colds and lower absenteeism.”

4. The following appeared in a magazine.

Milk and dairy products are rich in vitamin D and calcium – substances essential for building and maintaining bones. Many people, therefore, say that a diet rich in dairy products can help prevent osteoporosis, a disease that is linked to both environmental and genetic factors and that causes the bones to weaken significantly with age. However, a long-term study of a large number of people found that those who consistently consumed dairy products throughout the years of the study had a higher rate of bone fractures than any other participants in the study. Since bone fractures are symptomatic of osteoporosis, this study result shows that a diet rich in dairy products may actually increase, rather than decrease, the risk of osteoporosis.

5. The following appeared in a letter to the editor of a journal on environmental issues.

“Over the past year, the Crust Copper Company (CCC) has purchased over 10,000 square miles of land in the tropical nation of West Fredonia. Mining copper on this land will inevitably result in pollution and, since West Fredonia is the home of several endangered animal species, an environmental disaster. But such disasters can be prevented if consumers simply refuse to purchase products that are made with CCC’s copper unless the company abandons its mining plans.”

If you aspire to get a high GRE score, then try attending GRE Mock Tests online. You may also find solutions for as many GRE AWA practice test questions as possible to improve your skills. Moreover, the list of sample GRE essay questions listed in this blog post would help you gain more familiarity with the module. Especially, while practicing, instead of sticking to one specific type of instruction, identify answers for all the types of instructions available.

110 Hard Words to Spell for Students and Adults

Learn How to Avoid Passive Voice in 3 Simple Steps

117 Best Greek Mythology Essay Topics For Students

About author.

Jacob Smith

I am an Academic Writer and have affection to share my knowledge through posts’. I do not feel tiredness while research and analyzing the things. Sometime, I write down hundred of research topics as per the students requirements. I want to share solution oriented content to the students.

Comments are closed.

Featured Posts

140 Unique Geology Research Topics to Focus On

200+ outstanding world history topics and ideas 2023, 190 excellent ap research topics and ideas, 150+ trending group discussion topics and ideas, 170 funny speech topics to blow the minds of audience, who invented exams learn the history of examination, how to focus on reading 15 effective tips for better concentration, what is a rhetorical analysis essay and how to write it, primary school teacher in australia- eligibility, job role, career options, and salary, 4 steps to build a flawless business letter format, get help instantly.

Raise Your Grades with Assignment Help Pro

One Month GRE Study Schedule

Planning to take the GRE soon? Magoosh’s One Month Study Schedule walks you through exactly what to do every day in order to maximize your scoring potential.

GRE Study Schedules

Most Recent Posts

About the GRE Test – What is the GRE Exam? (2024)

22 GRE Verbal Practice Questions with Explanations

Most Popular Posts

Was Your GRE Canceled? You Can Take It at Home

2024-2025 GRE Test Dates | When Should You Take the GRE?

15 GRE Math Practice Questions with Explanations

GRE FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about the GRE

GRE Score Range: What’s a Good GRE Score?

GRE Score Percentiles – What Does Your Score Mean for You? (2024 Update)

GRE Scores for Top Universities

Ready to start studying with magoosh.

We offer a 7-day money back guarantee if you don’t like the product for any reason.

90 Day GRE Study Plan for Beginners

Is your GRE test about 3 months away? Are you new to the test and equally worried about Quant and Verbal? This study schedule is for you.

About the GRE

How Long Should I Study for the GRE? (Take the Quiz!)

GMAT vs GRE: Which Should I Take?

View all About the GRE posts

Magoosh increased my score by 16 points!!! Great study schedules, practice problems, practice tests, instructional videos (both for lessons and as explanations to practice problems), and EXCEPTIONAL feedback from the team when I wrote in to ask follow-up questions about the practice problems. Also, I love the vocabulary flashcards! All in all, Magoosh’s platform was an extremely affordable, sure-fire way for me to increase my score.

GRE Resources

Trustworthy, affordable (maybe even free!), and easily accessible whenever and wherever you have time to study.

Best GRE Prep Books 2022-2023

Top 5 free gre resources and study materials in 2024, gre vocabulary ebook, gre math formula ebook.

Study Abroad

Scholarships

GRE Books 2024: Best GRE Preparation Books

Updated on Jun 19, 2024, 12:11

Preparing for the GRE exam? Having the right books can make a big difference. These books help you understand the test better and improve your scores. The GRE is important for students aiming to study abroad.

You can buy these books online or at stores. On this page, we'll talk about the best GRE prep books for the 2024 exam. These books cover all GRE sections and can help you reach your target score.

They're packed with practice questions and tips for each part of the exam: writing, reading, and math. By using these books, you can improve at the GRE and boost your chances of getting into your dream university.

Getting the right GRE prep books is brilliant if you're serious about doing well.

Let's check out which books can help you ace the GRE!

On This Page

1. Best Books to Prepare For GRE 2024

Looking for the best GRE books to boost your exam preparation?

2. Best Books for GRE Preparation 2024: Section-wise List

Looking for the best books to help you prepare for the GRE in 2024?

3. How to choose the Best GRE Preparation Books for you?

Choosing the best GRE preparation books for you can be daunting, given the many options available.

More for you

Start Your Study Abroad Journey

Best Books to Prepare For GRE 2024

Looking for the best GRE books to boost your exam preparation?

Here's a quick rundown of some top picks to help you ace the test:

1. The Official Guide to the GRE General Test by ETS - "The Official Guide to the GRE General Test" by ETS is a must-have resource if you are preparing for the GRE exam. It covers all the important aspects of the exam such as question types, format, and strategies for success. The guide also provides ample practice questions, test-taking tips, and authentic GRE test material to help you prepare effectively. With this guide, you can be confident in achieving your best score on the GRE.

2. GRE Prep by Magoosh - It sounds like "GRE Prep by Magoosh" is a great resource for those preparing for the GRE exam. This comprehensive study guide offers expert strategies, practice questions, and detailed explanations to help students excel in all sections of the test. Whether you're tackling the verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, or analytical writing sections, the book provides proven methods to help boost your scores and achieve your academic goals.

3. Barron's GRE by Sharon Weiner Green and Ira K. Wolf - "Barron's GRE" by Sharon Weiner Green and Ira K. Wolf is a great resource for those preparing for the GRE exam. It's a comprehensive guide that covers all the important aspects of the exam such as question types, format, and strategies for success. The book offers extensive review materials for the verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing sections of the exam. With practice questions, strategies, and tips, it aims to equip test-takers with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the GRE.

4. Kaplan's GRE Prep Plus 2024 - Kaplan's GRE Prep Plus 2024 is a comprehensive guide designed to help students excel in the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Packed with strategies, practice questions, and full-length tests, this updated edition equips test-takers with the tools needed to master the GRE and achieve their desired scores. Whether aiming for grad school or further education, this book offers valuable resources to maximize preparation and performance on test day.

5. Manhattan Prep's 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems - "Manhattan Prep's 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems" is a great resource for students aiming to prepare for the GRE exam. With over 1,800 practice questions covering all sections of the GRE, including verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing, this book offers ample opportunity for skill-building and test-taking strategy development. It's an essential tool for anyone aiming to excel in the GRE and gain admission to graduate programs.

These books offer a range of resources, from practice questions to study plans, to help you succeed.

Best Books for GRE Preparation 2024: Section-wise List

Looking for the best books to help you prepare for the GRE in 2024?

The proper study materials are critical in preparing for the GRE exam 2024. Let's explore some of the top books that can guide you through the preparation process and boost your chances of success!

GRE Prep Book for Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section

The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section of the GRE is where you must demonstrate your writing skills. You need a book with the necessary tools to write clear and concise essays to excel in this section.

One of the best books for AWA preparation is " GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics " by Vibrant Publishers. This book features 60 real AWA essay questions and sample essays that scored 6.0 on the GRE scale.

The book also includes strategies for brainstorming and organising your thoughts and tips for improving your grammar and vocabulary. It teaches you how to write high-scoring essays and significantly improve your AWA skills.

Other popular AWA prep books include " Cracking the GRE Premium Edition with 6 Practice Tests, 2024 " by The Princeton Review and " GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 2 " by Vibrant Publishers.

GRE Prep Book for Quantitative Reasoning section

The Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE exam is one of the most important and challenging sections, and it requires the right kind of preparation to do well. A book that covers all the topics tested on the GRE and provides ample practice questions is essential to succeed in this section.

One of the best resources available to prepare for the Quantitative Reasoning section is the "5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems" by Manhattan Prep. With over 2,000 practice problems covering all GRE Quantitative topics, this book is an excellent guide to help you prepare for the exam. It also includes detailed explanations and strategies to help you solve each problem quickly and accurately.

Another excellent resource for Quantitative Reasoning is the "GRE Math Workbook" by Kaplan. This book features hundreds of practice questions and quizzes, detailed explanations and strategies for solving each type of problem. It also includes a diagnostic test to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and focus your study efforts.

Whether you choose the " 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems " or the " GRE Math Workbook ," the right book and practice can help you improve your Quantitative Reasoning skills and achieve your target score on the GRE.

GRE Prep Book for Verbal Reasoning section

The Verbal Reasoning section of the GRE tests your ability to understand and analyse written material and recognise relationships among words and concepts. To succeed in this section, you need a book that covers all the topics tested on the GRE and provides ample practice questions to help you improve your skills.

One of the best books for Verbal Reasoning preparation is " The Official Guide to the GRE General Test " by ETS. This book includes hundreds of practice questions, explanations, and tips and strategies for improving your performance in the Verbal Reasoning section.

Another popular book on Verbal Reasoning is GRE Prep by Magoosh. This book comprehensively reviews all Verbal Reasoning topics tested on the GRE, practice questions and detailed explanations. It also includes tips and strategies for improving your vocabulary and reading comprehension skills.

If you're looking for more practice questions, you might want to consider " Barron's GRE " by Sharon Weiner Green and Ira K. Wolf. This book includes hundreds of practice questions and quizzes, detailed explanations and strategies for solving each type of Verbal Reasoning problem.

Whether you choose " The Official Guide to the GRE General Test ," " GRE Prep by Magoosh ," or " Barron's GRE ," the right book and practice can help you improve your Verbal Reasoning skills and achieve your target score on the GRE.

How to choose the Best GRE Preparation Books for you?

Choosing the best GRE preparation books for you can be daunting, given the many options available.

Here are some factors to consider when selecting the right GRE prep book for your needs:

1. Content: Look for books that cover all the sections of the GRE, including Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. Ensure that the book provides comprehensive coverage of the topics tested on the exam.

2. Practice Questions: The number of practice questions in the book is also crucial. Look for books that offer a large number of practice questions, along with explanations and answers.

3. Difficulty Level: The difficulty level of the practice questions should match your skill level. Ensure the book provides accessible and challenging questions to help you gauge your progress.

4. Study Plans: Some books offer study plans that can help you structure your preparation and keep you on track. Look for books with study plans to help you plan your preparation effectively.

5. Reviews: Read reviews and ratings of the books you're considering to understand their usefulness. Look for books with high ratings and positive reviews from other test takers.

GRE Exam Results

GRE Exam Dates

GRE Exam Fees

GRE Syllabus & Pattern

IELTS Important Information

IELTS Exam Date

IELTS Exam Fee

IELTS Modules

IELTS Listening Practice Test

IELTS Speaking Practice Test

IELTS Reading Practice Test

IELTS Writing Practice Test

IELTS Test Centres

IELTS Results

Types of IELTS

IELTS Pattern

IELTS Exam Eligibilty

IELTS Slot Booking

IELTS Band Score

IELTS Registration

IELTS Books

IELTS Preparation

IELTS Practice Test

GRE Important Information

GRE Results

GRE Syllabus

GRE Registration

GRE Slot Booking

GRE Preparation

GRE Practice Test

Q. How do I prepare for the GRE?

Ans. To prepare for the GRE, you should familiarise yourself with the test format and content, create a study plan, get reliable study materials, practice consistently, seek help when needed, and stay motivated.

Q. How do I register for the GRE?

Ans. To register for the GRE, create an ETS account, select the test date and location, choose your test type, pay the test fee, complete your registration, and receive confirmation. Register early and review the test day checklist.

Q. What is the syllabus for the GRE?

Ans. The GRE syllabus consists of three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. The Verbal Reasoning section measures your ability to understand written material, while the Quantitative Reasoning section tests your math skills. The Analytical Writing section tests your ability to articulate complex ideas.

Q. What is the best practice for the GRE?

Ans. The best practices for GRE preparation include familiarising yourself with the test format and content, creating a study plan, using reliable study materials, practicing consistently, seeking help when needed, staying motivated, and taking care of yourself.

Q. Which part of the GRE is most important?

Ans. All sections of the GRE are important, but the relative importance of each section depends on your academic goals and the requirements of the programs you're applying to. It's crucial to research the admissions requirements to determine the weight given to each section.

Q. Is there an age limit for preparing for the GRE?

Ans. There is no age limit for preparing for the GRE. Anyone who is interested in pursuing further education can take the GRE, regardless of age. The GRE is commonly taken by college students and recent graduates, but it can also be taken by working professionals and individuals seeking to change careers or pursue further education later in life.

Q. When and where is the GRE held?

Ans. The GRE is held year-round at various testing centres worldwide. You can take the GRE personally at a testing centre or online from home. To register, check the availability of the online test in your region or find a testing centre and available test dates on the ETS website.

Q. What is the structure of the test?

Ans. The GRE consists of Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. There is also an unscored research section. Verbal Reasoning measures your ability to understand written material, Quantitative Reasoning tests your math skills, and Analytical Writing tests your ability to articulate complex ideas.

Q. Can I retake the GRE?

Ans. Yes, you can retake the GRE. There is no limit to the number of times you can take the test, but you can only take it once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period. You can send only your best scores to the schools you're applying to.

Q. How much does the GRE cost?

Ans. The cost of the GRE varies depending on the location and type of test. The computer-delivered GRE General Test costs INR 17k worldwide, the paper-delivered test costs INR 12k worldwide, and the GRE Subject Test costs INR 12k worldwide. Additional fees may apply for late registration, rescheduling, and changing test centres.

Q. What does the GRE measure?

Ans. The GRE measures your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills to assess your readiness for graduate-level study. It provides a standardised way for graduate schools to evaluate your potential for success in graduate-level coursework.

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Meet top uk universities from the comfort of your home, here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

School Education /

Essay on President of India for Students

Updated on
Jun 18, 2024

The President of India is the highest official in the country. The Indian Constitution vests great powers in the hands of the President, some are exercised according to the Constitution, and some are discretionary. The President of India is not directly elected by the people but by an electoral college, consisting of the members of the State Legislature and both houses of the parliament. Today, we will discuss an essay on the President of India.

Table of Contents

1 Short Essay on President
2.1 Who is Eligible to Become the President of India?
2.2 Election Process
2.3 Powers of the President
2.4 Impeachment Process
3 List of Presidents of India

Short Essay on President

A president is a powerful person who preserves, protects, and defends India’s constitution and laws. This post has a high level of authority and plays an important part in the functioning of a democratic country. The first president’s office was established on January 26, 1950, when India adopted its Constitution. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was India’s first president to hold this office. Smt. Draupadi Murmu is the current president of India, who took positions of power on July 25, 2022, as the 15th president.

A president appoints the Prime Minister and members of the Council, whereas the process of electing a president includes both houses of parliament, elected members of the Legislative Assembly of States, and Union Territories. The president has several powers, including legislative, executive, judicial, financial, and emergency powers, which he or she uses to manage and monitor the country’s functions. A president’s power is not only a symbol of strength but also a foundation for the country’s democracy, ensuring national stability

Quick Read: Essay on Viksit Bharat

Essay on President of India in 800 words

The president is a person who is responsible for preserving, protecting, and defending India’s constitution and laws. This position is special and holds high authority. The President not only serves constitutional functions, but he also represents the country’s unity and integrity. A president has several functions and responsibilities, and they play a crucial role in the functioning of the world’s largest democracy.

Who is Eligible to Become the President of India?

According to Article 58 of the Indian Constitution, no person shall be eligible for election as President unless he is a citizen of India, over the age of 35, and qualified for election as a member of the House of the People.

The Office of the President of India was set up on January 26, 1950. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first to hold this position as the President of India. The establishment of this office represents the republic of the Constitution.

Quick Read: Essay on Indian Constitution

Election Process

There is no direct election for India’s President. The procedure of electing the President consists of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Legislative Assemblies of states, and Legislative Assemblies of the Union Territories, who are in charge of presidential elections.

The indirect election maintains fairness throughout the process.

Our current president, Smt. Draupadi Murmu, is the 15th president of India and won the presidential election on July 25, 2022. She is a former teacher who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. She formerly served as the Governor of Jharkhand from 2015 to 2021.

Powers of the President

The president has vast power over legislative, executive, judicial, financial, and emergency concerns.

Legislative Powers:

A President has the authority to call off the session of Parliament and dissolve the Lok Sabha. A bill enacted by the parliament can only become law with the president’s approval. He has the power to appoint any member of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to preside over its proceedings.

Executive Powers:

The president is the most powerful person in the country since he appoints the prime minister. The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha, and other Council ministers are appointed on his advice. The President also appoints judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court.

Judicial Powers:

The President of India has the authority to pardon and suspend the punishment. This power is extremely important in punishment cases. With this power, he can grant pardon, reprieve, respite, and remission of punishment to the convicted person.

Financial Powers:

The President controls and monitors the annual budget of the country. No bill can be passed in parliament without his or her approval. He can make advances from India’s Contingency Fund to cover any unforeseen expenses.

Emergency Powers:

As per Articles 352, 356, 365, and 360, the President has the authority to declare an emergency in the country. A president can declare three different types of emergencies. They are National Emergency, State Emergency, and Financial Emergency. The President exercises these powers to ensure national stability.

Military Powers:

The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. He declares wars and concludes peace treaties on behalf of the country.

Diplomatic Powers :

The President is responsible for sending ambassadors outside India and receiving diplomats from other countries.

Veto Power:

Under Article 111 and Article 201, the president can use the veto powers, which are mainly of three types: Absolute Veto, Suspensive Veto, and pocket Veto. Absolute Veto means that the President has the authority to refuse to sign a bill that has been offered to him.

Suspensive Veto refers to the power of the president to return a bill for reconsideration to the parliament.

Pocket Veto means the power of the president to hold a bill pending indefinitely rather than ratify, reject or return it.

While the President appears to be a powerful individual, he or she is also responsible for bringing together constitutional duties with moral authority. The President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers, although he or she may also make the final decision regarding the democratic processes.

Impeachment Process

Impeachment of a President is the process of removing a person from the duties and authority that come with the position.

As per the Article 61, a president can be impeached if he/ she:

Violate the constitution.
Death of the current president
Resignation of the current president
Invalid election

In India, no president has been impeached till now. The process of impeaching a president through Parliament is quasi-judicial. The impeachment of the President of India can be initiated in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

During times of national instability, the president’s role becomes more important. A president helps ensure the maintenance of a country’s democracy by playing an important role in its governance and functioning. The president’s power and responsibilities are more than just symbols of authority; they are the foundation of the country’s democracy, ensuring stability and respect for the Constitution. The president’s ability to work within the guidelines of the constitution while respecting moral ideals is what makes this post so important in the governance of India.

List of Presidents of India


Dr. Rajendra Prasad	26 January 1950–13 May 1962
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan	13 May 1962–13 May 1967
Dr. Zakir Husain	13 May 1967–3 May 1969
V.V. Giri	24 August 1969–24 August 1974
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed	24 August 1974–11 February 1977
Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy	25 July 1977–25 July 1982
Giani Zail Singh	25 July 1982–25 July 1987
R. Venkataraman	25 July 1987–25 July 1992
Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma	25 July 1992–25 July 1997
K R Narayanan	25 July 1997–25 July 2002
Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam	25 July 2002–25 July 2007
Shrimati Pratibha Singh Patil	25 July 2007–25 July 2012
Pranab Mukherjee	25 July 2012–25 July 2017
Ram Nath Kovind	25 July 2017–21 July 2022
Draupadi Murmu	21 July: Present

Also Read: Speech on President of India for School Students in English

Ans: ‘The president is known as the ‘First Person’ of the country. He/ She is the highest executive authority in the country. The President not only serves constitutional functions, but he also represents the country’s unity and integrity. A president has several functions and responsibilities, and they play a crucial role in the functioning of the world’s largest democracy.

Ans: The president has vast power over legislative, executive, judicial, financial, and emergency concerns. A President has the authority to call off the session of Parliament and dissolve the Lok Sabha. He is the one who appoints the prime minister and other ministers of the council. The President of India has the authority to pardon and suspend the punishment. The President controls and monitors the annual budget of the country. The President has the authority to declare an emergency in the country.

Ans: The President has the authority to declare an emergency in the country. A president can declare three different types of emergencies. They are National Emergency, State Emergency, and Financial Emergency. The President exercises these powers to ensure national stability. A president helps ensure the maintenance of a country’s democracy. He or she is also responsible for bringing together constitutional duties with moral authority.

Bhumika Sharma

Connect With Us

45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

Resend OTP in

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

January 2024

September 2024

What is your budget to study abroad?

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

Have something on your mind?

Make your study abroad dream a reality in January 2022 with

India's Biggest Virtual University Fair

Essex Direct Admission Day

Why attend .

Don't Miss Out

Round 1 Kickoff: Your “To-Do” List For MBA Applications

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Share on WhatsApp
Share on Reddit

A new MBA admissions season is upon us, meaning it’s time for savvy applicants to get their heads in the game. Business schools have already started releasing their deadlines for the 2024-2025 application cycle. And while most haven’t posted their updated applications yet, you can expect to see those by the end of June.

Round 1 application deadlines hit in September through mid-October. That means you’ve got at least three solid months of application work ahead of you. But we’ve been working with some clients for months for this new MBA admissions season. By starting early, you can take control of your application process, strengthen your profile, and level the playing field. There’s a lot that applicants can do to enhance their chances if they start the process early enough.

Today, we will light a fire under anyone who plans to apply to B-school in the coming months but is unsure how to begin. Even if you’re a master crammer, we hope you don’t take that tack with your MBA application process. Every year, a flood of new clients approaches us at the last minute for a read-through of their materials, confident they have it in the bag.

We must then deliver the painful news that they should hold off until round 2 because their applications are not solid or polished enough. Don’t let that be you! Focus on maximizing this time before the new MBA admissions season.

SBC consultant Erika Olsen, a host of our popular B-Schooled podcast, shared this expert advice to prepare MBA applicants.

TO-DO LIST FOR THE NEW MBA ADMISSIONS SEASON

Take the gmat/gre..

Your admissions test is at the top of the to-do list for MBA aspirants. If you haven’t taken the GMAT or GRE yet or aren’t happy with your score, this is the first item of business to tackle. That’s especially true if you already know that your dream school’s average range of test scores skews higher than you’ve achieved thus far.

Some aspects of your MBA candidacy are already set in stone. You can’t change where you went to college, your GPA, your career choices to date, or how much extracurricular involvement you’ve had. That’s all in the past. Nonetheless, there are a few things that you can improve over the next few months, and your test score is one of them.

We always encourage people to retake the GRE or GMAT and raise their scores if needed. Remember, there’s almost always room for improvement. Thankfully, the admissions committee is fine with retakes. It’s not about where you start but how far you can go. After all, it shows self-awareness and dedication to improvement.

We have a terrific B-Schooled episode with SBC’s Director of Test Prep, Anthony Ritz , where he offers valuable insights into all things admission test-related. So, take advantage of that resource if you have a weakness to correct in that area.

Beef up your leadership profile.

Leadership activities offer the most significant opportunity for improvement before the new MBA admissions season. Now is the time to seek out new projects or teams to manage, especially if you’re light in this area. You might know how to improve or streamline a process in your office or for a client. If so, take the initiative and work on it in your spare time. Remember, leadership is more than a title; it’s a mindset that you can develop and hone.

Three or four months is ample time to get more involved in a cause close to your heart. Taking an active role in a community organization or nonprofit is a great way to differentiate yourself from the competition, especially if you’re in one of the more competitive buckets like consulting or financial services.

If you’ve volunteered for a group before, that’s the ideal place to start. See what else you can do for them that’s higher on their priority list right now. Also, find out if any open leadership roles would be a good fit.

If your manager knows about and supports your plans to return to school, ask what else you could take on to have more leadership examples for your resume. You could mentor a junior employee or organize a company-sponsored volunteer event this summer. These types of activities will likely bulk up your resume. Even if they don’t become resume-worthy, they might become great fodder for interview conversations or MBA essays.

Pro tip : Don’t stop doing these kinds of endeavors after you submit your application materials. That is a huge mistake. More and more applicants get waitlisted each year, and you’ll be in a much stronger position if you have new achievements to report to the admissions committee in a waitlist update letter.

Identify your recommenders.

Business schools prefer applicants’ recommendation letters from a current or former supervisor. That’s because these individuals have also overseen the work of many people at your level before. This experience gives them a good idea of how you and your achievements compare to others in your position. You’ll want to consider senior colleagues who know you well and can speak about your professional accomplishments and personal qualities.

While we recommend clients reach out to their potential recommenders in July, now is the time to brainstorm a list of possible people. Consider senior colleagues who know you well and can speak to your professional accomplishments and personal qualities. When you approach them, provide a brief overview of your MBA plans, your reasons for choosing them as a recommender, and any specific achievements or experiences you would like them to highlight in their letter.

Research your target business schools.

Finding a business school that’s the right fit for you is vital. If you haven’t already, now is the time to do a deep dive into all your target schools’ websites. This research is crucial because it will help you tailor your application to each school’s unique offerings and values. Find out when virtual admissions events will take place and register for them. Next, jot down notes about any exciting courses, professors, conferences, or other unique parts of the curriculum that interest you or are relevant to your career goals.

Search your network for friends (or friends of friends) who went to your target schools and reach out to them. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a conversation about the program that sways or confirms your interest in that school.

Lay the groundwork to “MBA” your resume.

The MBA resume is a whole other animal from the standard curriculum vitae designed to land you a job. Instead, the resume you tailor specifically for business schools should offer a quick snapshot of your significant work experiences and accomplishments in areas that showcase MBA-relevant skills, such as leadership, communication skills, growth, and innovation.

Begin by starting a rolling document that includes all your accomplishments from college through your career. Don’t worry about formatting or having more than one page at first. You might be able to pull some content from it for the application data form, which usually has fields required for every role you’ve had.

We explore this topic in-depth in our blog post, How to Sell Yourself with an MBA Resume , and on B-Schooled podcast episode #67, Powerful Resume Writing . Take advantage of these excellent resources to guide this process.

Reflect on your short and long-term career goals.

Even if your dream schools haven’t communicated anything about this year’s application yet, it’s a safe bet that you’ll need to discuss what you envision for your career immediately upon graduation and in the long term. (MIT Sloan School of Management is the only school that has never asked and doesn’t care about this.) So that’s something to start thinking about if you haven’t yet.

Applicants should start jotting down memories and stories from their past, thinking about what differentiates them. Your focus should be on nailing down what makes you tick, what you’re genuinely passionate about, and what you want to do in the future. But more importantly, think about the whys. Why does a particular sector, job, career, or cause speak to you?

How do you know you’d be happiest working in a specific field? If you think you want to start a company in the future or go into impact investing or private equity, or whatever it may be, you will have to communicate a lot more than, “I want to start a company.” Everybody and their brother has that goal. So, what will differentiate you from other applicants with a similar aim is the why.

Get ready. Get set. And…go!

As the curtains rise on the new MBA admissions season, the stage is set for ambitious applicants to embark on their B-School journey. The time to dive into preparation is now, and the roadmap to acceptance begins with strategic planning and proactive steps. From honing your test-taking skills to cultivating impactful leadership experiences, opportunities for enhancement abound.

Remember, the path to a standout application requires diligence, self-awareness, and a commitment to excellence. So, seize the moment, harness your potential, and embark on this transformative journey with confidence. With careful preparation and dedication, the doors to your dream business school await. Let the adventure begin.

Stacy Blackman Consulting’s Podcast, B-Schooled, is hosted by Erika Olson, Harvard MBA and Chandler Arnold, Stanford GSB MBA. B-Schooled now has more than a quarter million downloads and 200+ episodes. Search and sort through our 200 B-Schooled podcasts .

About The Author

Stacy Blackman is the founder of Stacy Blackman Consulting (SBC) . We are the only consulting firm in the industry that has a complete panel of former MBA Admissions Officers from the top US and European MBA programs. SBC holds the #1 ranking on MBAinsight , CollegeConsensus, ClearAdmit, BeattheGMAT, ExamStrategist and we are #1 out of 11 firms for the presence on our SBC team of former MBA Admissions Officers by PoetsandQuants. Sign up for SBC’s E-Newsletter for valuable insider intel culled from the former MBA Admissions Officers on our team and real-time learnings: stacyblackman.com/newsletter Request a free MBA Advising Session call : stacyblackman.com .

Questions about this article? Email us or leave a comment below.

Stay Informed. Sign Up! Login Logout Search for:

How To Ace The INSEAD Video Questions

Why Are MBA Application Goals Important?

How Can I Improve My Chances Of Getting Into Business School – With A Scholarship?

How To Get A Killer MBA Letter Of Recommendation

Specialized Masters Program Directory Business Analytics Hub MBA Admissions Consultant Directory Online MBA Hub Home Assess My MBA Odds

Our Partner Sites: Poets&Quants for Execs | Poets&Quants for Undergrads | Tipping the Scales | We See Genius

IMAGES

155 GRE Issue Essay Topics: Helpful List of Ideas
GRE Essay Topics and Score Calculator
GRE Essay Topics and Score Calculator
70 Sample GRE Essay Topics for You to Practice
How to Write a Great GRE Argumentative Essay
Essay Topics For Grade 5

VIDEO

AWA| Argument Essay| Planning your Essay
GRE ESSAY writing #conformity#greprep #gretest #grevocab #grepreparation #grepractice
AWA
FREE URDU CCNA Lecture 4: Characteristics of TCP
Important Essay Topics
(2024 Edition) Writing the GRE Issue Essay Step by Step

COMMENTS

328 Official GRE Essay Topics to Practice With
PrepScholar GRE is entirely online, and it customizes your prep program to your strengths and weaknesses. We also feature 2,000 practice questions, official practice tests, 150 hours of interactive lessons, and 1-on-1 scoring and feedback on your AWA essays. Check out our 5-day free trial now:
GRE General Test Analytical Writing Overview
Before taking the GRE General Test, review the strategies, sample topics, sample essay responses with rater commentary, and scoring guide for the task. This will give you a deeper understanding of how raters evaluate essays and the elements they're looking for in an essay. It is important to budget your time.
GRE General Test Analytical Writing Analyze an Issue Task
Prepare for the GRE Analytical Writing Analyze an Issue Task. Find tips, sample essay responses with explanation, and the pool of Issue topics. skip to main ... review a sample Issue task, including strategies for the topic and essay responses with rater commentary at each score level. The sample responses, particularly those at the 5 and 6 ...
GRE Essay Prompts
The GRE Analytical Writing section requires you to write two essays—one will be an analysis of an issue and the other will be an analysis of an argument. You will have 30 minutes for each essay. Try your hand at these GRE essay prompts, and read our explanations for what makes a great GRE essay. We pulled these sample questions from our book ...
GRE Writing Prompts
A 4.0 is currently a 56th percentile score in GRE Analytical Writing. Note that the mean GRE writing score is currently just under 3.6. So, a 4.0 is slightly better than average. And, generally speaking, schools consider 4.0 a "good" score, though of course each program will have its own standards.
GRE General Test Analytical Writing Analyze an Argument Task
To get a clearer idea of how GRE raters apply the Argument scoring criteria to actual essays, you should review scored sample Argument essay responses and rater commentary. The sample responses, particularly those at 5 and 6 score levels, will show you a variety of successful strategies for organizing and developing an insightful evaluation.
GRE Analytical Writing Topics: Important GRE AWA Topics
The GRE AWA topics comprises two analytical writing tasks that are separately timed: Argument Essay. Issue Essay. You will be given 30 minutes separately to complete both the essays. The GRE AWA topics for both essays need to be approached differently. For that you must be clear about the differences between the two.
The Advanced Guide to GRE Analytical Writing
Categorization of GRE Essay Topics. The most fascinating thing about the GRE essay section is that each and every essay topic that shows up on the real test is already published on the official ETS website. This may sound crazy because giving out the questions in advance is totally unnatural. By knowing the topics beforehand, you can prepare ...
GRE Essay Sample Prompts
The other GRE essay topic is the argument essay. Instead of asking you to construct your own argument, this GRE essay sample prompt asks you to analyze someone else's reasoning. Here's what to expect: ... The full list of GRE essay sample prompts is available online. The ETS also offers a product called ScoreItNow!. For $20, you can ...
Recommended Practice Topics for the GRE Issue Task
No, not when there are common themes and setups you can target. In the official Intro to the Issue Task, you'll find the pool of Issue topics. Each topic consists of a brief statement of the issue you'll address as well as a set of writing instructions. In all, there are 6 possible sets of instructions and about 130 possible issue statements.
The Best GRE Sample Questions: Practice for Every Section
The two "pools" of essay topics contain every single prompt that will ever be used for the Analyze an Issue or Analyze an Argument analytical writing tasks, for a total of 152 Issue tasks and 176 Argument tasks. We have more about how to use these lists of topics to your best advantage in our article on GRE essay topics.
Top GRE analytical writing topics & tips to boost your score
The GRE issue essay is a task that requires you to critically analyse and respond to a general statement or claim on a specific topic. In the issue task, you will be presented with a thought-provoking statement or claim related to a particular topic. ... 15 Sample GRE analytical writing topics. The GRE analytical writing topics cover a wide ...
GRE Pool Essay Topics
GRE sample issue pool essay topic 44. Educators should find out what students want included in the curriculum and then offer it to them. Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the recommendation and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position ...
101 GRE Issue Essay Topics
A GRE issue essay is like a 5-paragraph essay in terms of structure, but a student can write 4 to 5 paragraphs. When reading this essay, the educator or the audience evaluates the skill the writer uses to address specific instructions while articulating and developing an argument supporting their issue evaluation.
4 Top-Scoring GRE Sample Essays, Analyzed (Issue + Argument)
Paragraph 1: The author acknowledges "technology has revolutionized the world.". Paragraph 2: The author explains the reasoning behind the statement in the prompt ("The assumption is that an increased reliance on technology negates the need for people to think creatively to solve previous quandaries").
155 GRE Issue Essay Topics: Helpful List of Ideas
GRE writing essay topics usually fall within these categories. Education, technology and society, cities, arts, government and power, intellectual endeavors, philosophy. Here are some topics. Business education does not require schooling. Digital marketing is taking over marketing.
GRE Essay Topics
The GRE essay topics, including those on the issue task, are so diverse that there appears to be no particular pattern in the GRE we've seen. There are debates about fixed terms for leaders, moralizing about job training, philosophical musings regarding work and motivation, and rumors that scandals can benefit society. Despite such a diverse ...
The Real GRE Essay Questions [Spring 2024]
The Real GRE Essay Questions. Home » Free GRE Prep Course » Free GRE Prep Course » The Real GRE Essay Questions. 1. Look at all the Real GRE AWA Questions. To beat the competition, you will need to do some brainstorming for all 400 AWA questions. Any of them could appear on your GRE, so you should spend some time preparing in advance.
GRE General Test Content
Test Content. The GRE General Test closely reflects the kind of thinking you'll do in today's demanding graduate school programs, including business and law. It measures your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills — skills that have been developed over a long period of time and aren't ...
List of Issue Essay Prompts : r/GRE
This subreddit is for discussion of the GRE (Graduate Record Examination). If you're studying for the GRE, or can help people who are studying for the GRE, you're in the right place! Members Online
Comprehensive Guide For Choosing GRE Essay With GRE Essay Topics
Here is a summarized plan that you must use when you are in a GRE war zone. First, read all directions carefully and jot down the keywords on a rough page/space. After that, begin with brainstorming, and develop an outline. If you are writing an argument, then write down the pros and cons. After that, choose a side.
70 Sample GRE Essay Topics for You to Practice
GRE Essay Topics on Argument Analysis. Listed below are some sample GRE argument analysis essay questions taken from the official website of ETS. 1. The following appeared as a recommendation by a committee planning a ten-year budget for the city of Calatrava.
GRE Prep Tips & Advice
Magoosh is the leader in GRE prep having helped millions of students study since 2010. Our affordable self-study plan includes exclusive official practice questions, full-length practice tests, and a score improvement guarantee. Top Resources: Free GRE Practice Test 1,000+ Vocab Flashcards Daily Study Plans What's a good GRE score? Math ...
GRE Books 2024: Best GRE Preparation Books
You need a book with the necessary tools to write clear and concise essays to excel in this section. One of the best books for AWA preparation is "GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics" by Vibrant Publishers. This book features 60 real AWA essay questions and sample essays that scored 6.0 on the GRE scale.
Essay on President of India for Students
Popular Essay Topics. Essay on Democracy in 100, 300 and 500 Words: Long Essay on Cryptocurrency for Students: Essay on Indian Economy for Students: Essay on United Nations: Essay on Social Issues: Speech on Importance of education: ... IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More. Finances. Scholarship, Loans & Forex.
Round 1 Kickoff: Your "To-Do" List For MBA Applications
Take the GMAT/GRE. Your admissions test is at the top of the to-do list for MBA aspirants. ... they might become great fodder for interview conversations or MBA essays. Pro tip: Don't stop doing these kinds of endeavors after you submit your application materials. That is a huge mistake. ... We explore this topic in-depth in our blog post ...

Recently viewed courses

GRE Essay Prompts

The GRE Issue Essay

Issue Topic

The GRE Argument Essay

Argument Topic

Want more practice?

Explore Graduate Programs for You

Best Law Schools

Search for Medical Schools

Find MBA Programs Matched to Your Interests

Free MCAT Practice Test

MCAT Self-Paced 14-Day Free Trial

GRE Writing Prompts: Your Guide

Here is what we’ll cover:

The GRE Issue Essay

The GRE Published Pool of Topics

Example GRE Essay Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

You May Also Like...

About The Author

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

GRE Analytical Writing Topics: Important GRE AWA Topics

What is GRE Analytical Writing(AWA)?

GRE Argument Essay

Sample GRE Argument Topics

GRE Issue Essay

Sample GRE Issue Topics

Tips to Prepare for GRE Analytical Writing Topics

Ace your GRE Preparations with Yocket Prep+!

Frequently Asked Questions About GRE AWA Topics

OUR PRODUCTS

The Advanced Guide to GRE Analytical Writing

Introduction to GRE Analytical Writing

What is the AWA all about?

How important is the AWA?

What is the score range for AWA?

6.0 – Outstanding:

5.0 – Strong

4.0 – Adequate

3.0 – Limited

2.0 – Seriously Flawed

1.0 – Fundamentally Deficient

0.0 – Unscorable

How is the AWA graded?

What do graders look for in your AWA essays?

The 7 Elements Graders Look For:

2. Structure

3. Sentence Variety

4. Vocabulary

5. Language and Grammar

6. Reasoning

7. Evidence

Should you skip the AWA section during practice?

Number 1 Reason Why Practicing GRE AWA is Important: Inflated Scores During Practice:

How Long Should My Essay Be?

Categorization of GRE Essay Topics

How do I get ideas for the essay?

How to get your essays graded?

5 Ways to Get Your AWA Essays Graded

Friends, Family, and Experts

Self-Evaluation

Internet Strangers

GMATAWA.com

Issue Essay vs Argument Essay: 11 Key Differences

Issue Essay vs Argument Essay:

2. General Topic vs. Specific Topic

3. Analysis vs. Reasoning:

4. Your Conclusion vs. Their Conclusion:

5. Reasons vs. Flaws:

6. Real Examples vs. Hypothetical Examples:

7. Appreciating vs. Questioning:

8. Agreeing vs. Disagreeing:

9. Limitation vs. Liberty:

10. Statement vs. Evidence:

11. Two Sides vs. One Claim:

7 Major Factors That Boost Your AWA Score

Organization

The 6 Step Process to Conquer GRE Analytical Writing

AWA Issue Essay: