Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Analytical Writing

Introduction to the Analytical Writing Measure

The Analytical Writing measure tests your critical thinking and analytical writing skills. It assesses your ability to articulate and support complex ideas, construct and evaluate arguments, and sustain a focused and coherent discussion. It does not assess specific content knowledge.
The Analytical Writing measure consists of two separately timed analytical writing tasks:
The Issue task presents an opinion on an issue of general interest followed by specific instructions on how to respond to that issue. You are required to evaluate the issue, consider its complexities and develop an argument with reasons and examples to support your views.
The Argument task requires you to evaluate a given argument according to specific instructions. You will need to consider the logical soundness of the argument rather than agree or disagree with the position it presents.
The two tasks are complementary in that one requires you to construct your own argument by taking a position and providing evidence supporting your views on an issue, and the other requires you to evaluate someone else's argument by assessing its claims and evaluating the evidence it provides.
Individuals taking the computer-based test will use a basic word processor developed by ETS. The basic word processor contains the following functionalities: insert text, delete text, cut-and-paste and undo the previous action. Tools such as a spell checker and grammar checker are not available in the ETS software, largely to maintain fairness with those examinees who must handwrite their essays at paper-based administrations.

Preparing for the Analytical Writing Measure

Everyone — even the most practiced and confident of writers — should spend some time preparing for the Analytical Writing measure before arriving at the test center. It is important to understand the skills measured and how the tasks are scored. It is also useful to review the scoring guides, sample topics, scored sample essay responses and reader commentary for each task.
The tasks in the Analytical Writing measure relate to a broad range of subjects — from the fine arts and humanities to the social and physical sciences — but no task requires knowledge of specific content. In fact, each task has been tested by actual GRE® test takers to ensure that it possesses several important characteristics, including the following:
  • GRE test takers, regardless of their field of study or special interests, understood the task and could easily respond to it.
  • The task elicited the kinds of complex thinking and persuasive writing that university faculty consider important for success in graduate school.
  • The responses were varied in content and in the way the writers developed their ideas.

Published Topic Pools for the Analytical Writing Measure

To help you prepare for the Analytical Writing measure, the GRE Program has published the entire pool of tasks from which your test tasks will be selected. You might find it helpful to review the Issue and Argument pools:

Test-taking Strategies for the Analytical Writing Measure

  • Before taking the GRE® revised General Test, review the strategies, sample topics, essay responses and reader commentary for each task contained in this section. Also review the scoring guides for each task. This will give you a deeper understanding of how readers evaluate essays and the elements they're looking for in an essay.
  • It is important to budget your time. Within the 30-minute time limit for the Issue task, you will need to allow sufficient time to consider the issue and the specific instructions, plan a response and compose your essay. Within the 30-minute time limit for the Argument task, you will need to allow sufficient time to consider the argument and the specific instructions, plan a response and compose your essay. Although the GRE readers who score your essays understand the time constraints under which you write and will consider your response a first draft, you still want it to be the best possible example of your writing that you can produce under the testing conditions. 
  • Save a few minutes at the end of each timed task to check for obvious errors. Although an occasional spelling or grammatical error will not affect your score, severe and persistent errors will detract from the overall effectiveness of your writing and lower your score accordingly.

GRE® Test Preparation Materials in Accessible Formats

ETS is committed to making preparation materials available in accessible formats. This page describes the GRE® Test Preparation materials, the types of formats available and how to obtain them. Many materials are downloadable, and others can be ordered from ETS Disability Services. To order materials that cannot be downloaded (such as braille, recorded audio or hard copy large print) or if you require materials in a format not listed here, contact Disability Services Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (New York).
Phone:
1-866-387-8602 (toll free) from United States, U.S. Territories* and Canada 1-609-771-7780 (all other locations)
TTY:
1-609-771-7714
Fax:
1-609-771-7165
E-mail:
stassd@ets.org
Mail:
ETS Disability Services P.O. Box 6054 Princeton, NJ 08541-6054
*Includes American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.
If you need to take the current GRE General test and require nonstandard testing accommodations, learn more about our Testing Arrangements for Individuals with Disabilities.

Formats Provided

For details about the different types of accessible formats, please follow the link: Information About Formats.

Materials Available

Title: Screen Reader Instructions

Equivalent to:
Not applicable. This document explains accessibility features used in all GRE preparation materials provided as accessible electronic documents. While it emphasizes use with screen readers, the accessible electronic documents should work with a wide variety of assistive technologies.
Format:
Downloadable accessible electronic document. GRE Screen Reader Instructions.doc (Word)

Title: Introducing the GRE revised General Test

Equivalent to:
Overview section of the Practice Book for the Paper-based GRE® revised General Test (PDF)
Formats:
Downloadable large print (18 point). Introducing the GRE Revised General Test 18 point (PDF)
Downloadable Accessible Electronic Document. Introducing the GRE Revised General Test.doc (Word)

Title: Overview of the Analytical Writing Measure

Equivalent to:
Introduction to the Analytical Writing Measure portions of the POWERPREP® II Software package and the Practice Book for the Paper-based GRE® revised General Test (PDF)
Formats:
Downloadable large print (18 point). GRE Overview Writing 18 point (PDF)
Downloadable Accessible Electronic Document. GRE Overview Writing.doc (Word)
The pool of argument and issue prompts can be found in accessible format by following the links:
Pool of Argument Topics Pool of Issue Topics

Title: Introduction to the Verbal Reasoning Measure

Equivalent to:
Introduction to the Verbal Reasoning Measure portion of the POWERPREP II Software package and the Practice Book for the Paper-based GRE® revised General Test (PDF)
Formats:
Downloadable large print (18 point). GRE Intro Verbal 18 point (PDF)
Downloadable Accessible Electronic Document. GRE Intro Verbal.doc (Word)

Title: Introduction to the Quantitative Reasoning Measure

Equivalent to:
Introduction to the Quantitative Measure portion of the POWERPREP II Software package and the Practice Book for the Paper-based GRE® revised General Test (PDF)
Formats:
Downloadable large print (18 point). GRE Intro Quant 18 point (PDF)
Downloadable Accessible Electronic Document. GRE Intro Quant (Word): including on-screen graphics; use with separate large print or tactile figure supplement if needed.
Tactile figure supplement    Item number 756049
Downloadable large print (18 point) figure supplement. GRE Intro Quant 18 point figures (PDF)

Title: Practice Test Number 1

Equivalent to:
Regular Print Free Practice Test
Formats:
Braille practice test and answer key (includes tactile graphics)    Item number 752494
Braille Analytical Writing Sample Responses and Commentaries    Item number 755642
Recorded Audio (use with large print or tactile graphics; includes practice test, answer key, Analytical Writing Sample Responses and Commentaries)    Item number 752493
Hardcopy large print practice test and answer key (18 point)    Item number 752495
Hardcopy large print Analytical Writing Sample Responses and Commentaries    Item number 756174
Downloadable large print (18 point): includes practice test, answer key, Analytical Writing Sample Responses and Commentaries
Downloadable accessible electronic documents: use with large print or tactile graphics if needed. Includes practice test, answer key, Analytical Writing Sample Responses and Commentaries
Tactile figure supplement    Item number 752509
Hardcopy large print (18 point) figure supplement    Item number 752508
Downloadable large print (18 point) figure supplement. GRE Practice Test 1 18 Point Figures (PDF)

Title: Math Review

Equivalent to:
Math Review (PDF)
Note: The Math Review consists of four chapters: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Data Analysis. The chapters are available separately or bundled together.
Formats:
Braille
Item numbers: Entire Math Review (includes all four chapters plus tactile graphics): 756063 Chapters available separately. Each braille chapter is shipped with the tactile graphics supplement for that chapter.
Chapter 1, Arithmetic: 756050 Chapter 2, Algebra: 756051 Chapter 3, Geometry: 756052 Chapter 4, Data Analysis: 756056
Tactile Graphics Supplements (each supplement complements the corresponding accessible electronic document, and is included with shipments of the corresponding braille edition chapter)
Item numbers:
Chapter 1, Arithmetic: 756053 Chapter 2, Algebra: 756054 Chapter 3, Geometry: 756055 Chapter 4, Data Analysis: 756057
Downloadable large print (18 point) figure supplements
Downloadable large print (18 point)
Downloadable Accessible Electronic Documents (use with large print or tactile graphics if needed)

Title: Mathematical Conventions

Equivalent to:
Mathematical Conventions (PDF)
Formats:
Braille (includes tactile graphics)
Item number 756060
Downloadable large print (18 point). GRE Math Conventions 18 point (PDF)
Tactile figure supplement
Item number 756061
Downloadable large print (18 point) figure supplement. GRE Math Conventions 18 point Figures (PDF)
Downloadable Accessible Electronic Document. GRE Math Conventions.doc (Word); use with large print or tactile graphics if needed.

GRE Tests

GRE Test GRE Questions Average Score Average Time
GRE Sentence Completion Practice 8 50% 5m 5s
GRE Sentence Completion 10 50% 6m 39s
GRE Antonyms 10 40% 3m 50s
GRE Antonyms Test 1 10 50% 4m 34s
GRE Antonym Questions 10 50% 4m 13s
GRE Antonym Quiz 10 40% 4m 38s
GRE Exam 10 60% 2m 3s
GRE Antonyms Test 10 50% 4m 42s
GRE Antonyms Practice Test 10 60% 4m 21s
GRE Sentence Completion Sample Questions 10 60% 7m 35s
GRE Analogy 8 62% 4m 36s
GRE Antonym Practice Quiz 10 50% 5m 18s
GRE Arithmetic Practice 10 30% 19m 33s
GRE Permutations and Combinations 4 50% 10m 16s
GRE Analogies Practice 10 50% 6m 37s
GRE Antonym Practice Tests 10 60% 4m 35s
GRE Quantitative 10 50% 12m 30s
GRE Quantitative Practice 10 40% 14m 18s
GRE Quantitative Practice Test 10 50% 13m 18s
GRE Algebra Quiz 10 50% 12m 40s
GRE Quadratic Equations Problems 10 30% 14m 56s
GRE Reading Comprehension 8 50% 12m 16s
GRE Antonym Practice Tests 10 50% 4m 8s
GRE Quadratic Equations 10 30% 11m 7s
GRE Analogies Test 10 50% 6m 14s
GRE Reading Comprehension Practice 10 50% 9m 57s
GRE Analogies 10 50% 8m 26s
GRE Antonyms Practice 10 60% 4m 5s
GRE Analogy Practice 10 50% 7m 10s
GRE Quantitative Questions 10 60% 12m 37s
GRE Antonym Practice Test 2 10 40% 4m 30s
GRE SC Practice Test 10 60% 8m 3s
GRE Arithmetic 5 60% 7m 12s
GRE time and distance problems 5 60% 11m 25s
Quadratic Equations Practice Exercise 10 30% 10m 11s
GRE Algebra 9 22% 10m 56s
GRE Antonym Practice 10 50% 4m 35s
GRE Quantitative Comparison 10 20% 14m 14s
GRE Analogy Questions 10 60% 6m 34s
GRE Sentence Completion Practice Test 8 62% 7m 52s
GRE Quantitative Comparison Test 10 60% 8m 38s
GRE Quant Comp Quiz 10 60% 9m 6s
GRE Data Interpretation Test 5 60% 12m 19s
GRE Data Interpretation Quiz 5 80% 8m 9s
GRE Online Tests - Full Length Test 2 58 37% 35m 2s
Online GRE Test Papers Full Length Test 4 58 40% 37m 6s
Online GRE Test Papers Full Length Test 6 58 33% 35m 15s
Online GRE Tests - Full Length Test # 5 58 42% 42m 3s
Online GRE Tests - Full Length Test # 3 58 48% 40m 17s
Online GRE Test Papers Full Length Test 1 58 27% 29m 54s
GRE Quantitative Comparison Practice 10 60% 7m 11s
GRE Quantitative Quiz 10 50% 8m 47s

About the GRE® revised General Test


One Test for Graduate and Business School. More Opportunities for Success.

Getting an advanced degree can create many opportunities. The GRE® revised General Test — the most widely accepted graduate admissions test worldwide — can bring you one step closer to achieving your career goals. And there has never been a better time to take the one test that gives you more opportunities for your future.
In August 2011, the GRE revised General Test replaced the GRE® General Test. Featuring the new test-taker friendly design and new questions, the revised test more closely reflects the kind of thinking you'll do in graduate or business school and demonstrates that you are ready for graduate-level work.
  • Verbal Reasoning — Measures your ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it, analyze relationships among component parts of sentences and recognize relationships among words and concepts.
  • Quantitative Reasoning — Measures problem-solving ability, focusing on basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis.
  • Analytical Writing — Measures critical thinking and analytical writing skills, specifically your ability to articulate and support complex ideas clearly and effectively.
Learn more about the content and structure of the GRE revised General Test.

Who Takes It?

Prospective graduate and business school applicants from all around the world take the GRE revised General Test. Applicants come from varying educational and cultural backgrounds and the GRE revised General Test provides a common measure for comparing candidates' qualifications.
GRE scores are used by admissions or fellowship panels to supplement your undergraduate records, recommendation letters and other qualifications for graduate-level study.

When and Where Do People Take It?

The GRE revised General Test is available at about 700 test centers in more than 160 countries. In most regions of the world, the computer-based test is available on a continuous basis throughout the year. In Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea, the computer-based test is available one to two times per month. In areas of the world where computer-based testing is not available, the test is administered in a paper-based format up to three times a year in October, November and February.
See Test Centers and Dates for all regions.
See which format is available in your area.

Who Accepts It?

The GRE revised General Test is accepted at thousands of graduate and business schools as well as departments and divisions within these schools. View this list (PDF).

Frequently Asked Questions About the GRE® revised General Test

GRE SCORING

GRE Scoring (after Aug 2011)


Measure Scores Reported
Verbal Reasoning 130 – 170, in 1 point increments
Quantitative Reasoning 130 – 170, in 1 point increments
Analytical Writing 0 – 6, in half point increments

Some Facts

  • Maximum score for sections Verbal, Quantitative is 800 (brfore Aug 2011). Analytical writing score will be reported on a 0-6 score scale, in half-point increments.
  • GRE is generally required by universities in North America (USA and Canada).
  • Most Universities require General GRE for admission to MS and Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences.
  • Generally for engineering Students score above 1200 (750+ 450+ 4) is considered good for admission for middle order universities ranked between 40 to 90 .There may be some deviations.
  • For all engineering Students GRE Q is most important for best results GRE Q must be well above 740 ,GRE A above 650(A>4.0/6.0), GRE V above 450.
  • GRE score can considerably improve University Ranking. TOEFL is most important. TOEFL score must be well above 213.Generally
  • Top 50 ranked Universities may require GRE>1300(770+,530+,>4/6) and TOEFL>250. For International students Verbal section is quite difficult. So they must prepare hard on vocabulary.
Note: Work hard in GRE Quantitative. Work on Permutation/combination, probability, mean/median/mode... etc.

GRE OLD VS NEW SCORE COMPARISON

GRE score scale

Old Format New Format: Verbal (percentile)New Format: Quantitative (percentile)
800170 (99%)166 (94%)
790170 (99%)164 (91%)
780170 (99%)163 (88%)
770170 (99%)161 (86%)
760170 (99%)160 (84%)
750169 (99%)159 (82%)
740169 (99%)158 (79%)
730168 (98%)157 (77%)
720168 (98%)156 (74%)
710167 (98%)155 (69%)
700166 (97%)155 (69%)
690165 (96%)154 (67%)
680165 (96%)153 (65%)
670164 (94%)152 (61%)
660164 (94%)152 (61%)
650163 (93%)151 (56%)
640162 (92%)151 (56%)
630162 (90%)150 (53%)
620161 (89%)149 (49%)
610160 (86%)149 (49%)
600160 (86%)148 (44%)
590159 (84%)148 (44%)
580158 (79%)147 (40%)
570158 (79%)147 (40%)
560157 (77%)146 (36%)
550156 (72%)146 (36%)
540156 (72%)145 (32%)
530155 (69%)145 (32%)
520154 (64%)144 (26%)
510154 (64%)144 (26%)
500153 (62%)144 (26%)
490152 (56%)143 (22%)
480152 (56%)143 (22%)
470151 (51%)142 (19%)
460151 (51%)142 (19%)
450150 (48%)141 (16%)
440149 (42%)141 (16%)
430149 (42%)141 (16%)
420148 (40%)140 (12%)
410147 (36%)140 (12%)
400146 (31%)140 (12%)
390146 (31%)139 (10%)
380145 (28%)139 (10%)
370144 (26%)138 (7%)
360143 (21%)138 (7%)
350143 (21%)138 (7%)
340142 (18%)137 (6%)
330141 (16%)137 (6%)
320140 (13%)136 (4%)
310139 (10%)136 (4%)
300138 (8%)136 (4%)
290137 (6%)135 (3%)
280135 (4%)135 (3%)
270134 (3%)134 (2%)
260133 (2%)134 (2%)
250132 (1%)133 (1%)
240131 (1%)133 (1%)
230130 (1%)132 (1%)
220130 (1%)132 (1%)
210130 (1%)131 (1%)
200130 (1%)131 (1%)

GRE Test Structure

Total Computer Based Test (CBT) time is up to three hours 45 minutes, not including the research section. The directions at the beginning of each section specify the total number of questions in the section and the time allowed for the section. There are six sections with a 10-minute break following the third section.

The Verbal and Quantitative sections may appear in any order, including an unidentified unscored section. Treat each section presented during your test as if it counts.

Section
Number of Questions
Time
Analytical Writing 1 Issue Task* 30 minutes
Analytical Writing 1 Argument Task* 30 minutes
Verbal (2 sections) Approximately 20 questions per section 30 minutes for each section
Quantitative (2 sections) Approximately 20 questions per section ~35 minutes for each section
Unscored** Varies Varies
Research*** Varies Varies


* For the Issue task, two essay topics are presented and you choose one. The Argument task does not present a choice of topics; instead one topic is presented.
** An unidentified unscored section may be included and may appear in any order after the Analytical Writing section. It is not counted as part of your score.
*** An identified research section that is not scored may be included, and it is always at the end of the test. 

About GRE

GRE
  • The GRE is now only available as a computer-adaptive test. The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are section-level adaptive, meaning that the first section of the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures span a range of difficulty levels, from easy to difficult. The first section is assembled such that, overall, the first section is of average difficulty. The second section of each of the measures is administered based on a test taker's overall performance on the first section. The Tough questions have more credit than easier ones.
  • You can still earn a very high score even if you answer several questions incorrectly. Correct answers to Harder questions lead to large score as compared to easier questions. To get good score more difficult questions has to be answered.
  • Some (Very few) Universities may demand Subject GRE.
  • After completing your exam, you can send your scores (free!) to four Universities so be prepared.
  • Your GRE scores are valid for 5 years.
  • You can take the GRE revised General Test (computer-based and paper-based) only once every 60 days, and no more than five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period. This applies even if you canceled your scores on a test taken previously. If you take only the paper-based GRE revised General Test, you may take it as often as it is offered.