Analytical Writing Section

Analytical Writing Section

In the paper-based General Test, the topics in the
analytical writing section will be presented in the test
book and you will handwrite your essay responses on
the answer sheets provided. Make sure you use the
correct answer sheet for each task.
It is important to budget your time. Within the
45-minute time limit for the Issue task, you will need
to allow sufficient time to choose one of the two
topics, think about the issue you’ve chosen, 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 analyze the argument,
plan a critique, and compose your response. Although
GRE readers 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 circumstances.
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 thus
lower your score.
During the actual administration of the General
Test, you may work only on the particular writing
task the test center supervisor designates and only for
the time allowed. You may not go back to an earlier
section of the test after the supervisor announces,
“Please stop work,” for that task. The supervisor is
authorized to dismiss you from the center for doing so.
Following the analytical writing section, you will
have the opportunity to take a 10-minute break.