Q. Why was this assessment introduced?

A. This Writing Assessment was developed in response to interest expressed by the graduate community for a performance-based assessment of critical reasoning and analytical writing.

Q. What is the assessment like?

A. The assessment consists of two analytical writing tasks: a 45-minute "Present Your Perspective on an Issue" task and a 30-minute "Analyze an Argument" task. The "Issue" task states an opinion on an issue of general interest and asks you to address the issue from any perspective(s) you wish, providing relevant reasons and examples to explain and support your views. The "Argument" task presents a different challenge: it requires you to critique an argument by discussing how well reasoned you find it. 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 about an issue, whereas the other requires you to critique someone else's argument by assessing its claims and evaluating the evidence it provides.

Q. What skills does it measure?

A. The GRE Writing Assessment gives you the opportunity to display your critical thinking and analytical writing skills. It assesses your ability to articulate and support complex ideas, analyze an argument, and sustain a focused and coherent discussion. It is not a test of specific content knowledge, and there is no single best way to respond. For these reasons, and because you will be developing your own well-reasoned responses rather than selecting answers from a multiple-choice list, the assessment provides very different information about your abilities than that provided by the GRE General Test.

Q. Do I have a choice of topics?

A. For the Issue task, you will be able to choose one of two essay topics randomly selected by computer from a pool of topics. The Argument task does not offer a choice of topics; the computer will present you with a single topic randomly selected by computer from the pool. More than 100 topics have been developed for each writing task. View the published pool of Writing Assessment Issue and Argument topics.

Q. Do I have a choice of word processing or writing by hand?

A. The option to handwrite the essays is not available at CBT centers. If you wish to handwrite your essays, you must take the test on an available paper-based administration date. (Note that you cannot take the Writing Assessment and a Subject Test on the same test date.) Call or fax your request at least 6 weeks prior to the registration deadlines for registration instructions.

Q. Are there test-taking strategies for the Issue Task?

A. Yes. The issue task gives you considerable latitude in the way you respond to the position that each topic presents on a given issue. Try asking yourself these questions as you review the published list of Issue topics, and practice writing essays on several of the topics within the 45-minute time limit.

What does the statement mean? What does it imply?

Do I agree with all or with any part of the statement? Why or why not?

Is the statement valid only in certain circumstances?

Do I need to explain how I interpret certain terms or concepts used in the statement?

If I take a certain position on the issue, what reasons support my position?

What examples--either hypothetical or drawn from my readings or direct experiences--could I use to illustrate those reasons and advance my point of view? Which examples are most compelling?

Can I address an opposing point of view in my essay and still justify my position?

Q. Are there test-taking strategies for the Argument task?

A. Yes. Because the Argument task is constrained by the line of reasoning in the argument presented to you, be sure to read and analyze the argument carefully. Try asking yourself these questions as you review the list of published Argument topics and practice writing essays on several of the topics within the 30-minute time limit.

What claims, conclusions, and underlying assumptions does the argument make?

What alternative explanations and counter examples can I think of?

What additional evidence might weaken or strengthen the claims?

What changes in the argument would make the reasoning more sound?

Q. Are test preparation materials available?

A. Yes. GRE POWERPREP? Software Version 2.0 includes test preparation for both the General Test and the Writing Assessment. POWERPREP will give you advice on how to write effective essays for the Issue and Argument tasks. It will also let you practice writing essays under simulated GRE testing conditions, using the same GRE word processor and testing tools that appear on the test. In addition, you should review the published pool of Writing Assessment Issue and Argument topics.

Q. Can I cancel my score and retake the test at a later date?

A. Yes, you can choose to cancel your score at the end of the test session. Your score cannot be reinstated and no refunds will be made. Institutions will not receive any information about the score you canceled. GRE policy states that you may take the GRE Writing Assessment one time per calendar month on computer or at any scheduled paper-based administration.

Q. How are my essays scored?

A. Each essay is evaluated on a 6-point holistic scale according to the criteria published in GRE scoring guides. The essays are scored by college and university faculty experienced in teaching writing or writing-intensive courses. All GRE readers have undergone careful training, passed stringent GRE qualifying tests, and demonstrated that they are able to maintain a high degree of scoring accuracy.

All identifying information about the test takers is concealed from the readers; each essay is scored by two readers; and readers do not know what other scores an essay may have received. The scoring procedure requires identical or adjacent scores from two readers; any other score combination is adjudicated by a third GRE reader.

Q. How are the scores reported?

A. A Writing Assessment score will be reported on the 6-point scoring scale. This score will represent the average of your scores for the two essays. Because of the scoring process, you will not receive your score at the test center. A score report will be sent to you and to your designated institutions within 10 to 15 days after you take the test. For paper-based administrations, see the approximate score report mailing dates. Copies of essays will not be released to test takers or score recipients.

Q. How do I request a rescoring?

A. Rescores may be requested up to 6 months after the administration. Submit a $45 fee with your written request; include your full name, date of birth, test date, registration number, address, and phone number. Mail it to the "General Inquiries" address.

Q. How do I know that the assessment is fair?

A. In creating this new assessment for the GRE Board followed a rigorous test development process that was guided by faculty committees representing different academic institutions, disciplines, and cultural perspectives. All topics passed stringent reviews for fairness and, in national field test trials, proved accessible and appropriate for entry-level graduate students across many disciplines and various cultural groups. Reading and scoring procedures were developed and refined to ensure scoring accuracy, fairness, reliability, and validity.

Q. When can I take the assessment?

A. The GRE Writing Assessment is given year-round at all ETS-authorized CBT testing centers worldwide. It is offered independently of the GRE General and Subject Tests. You may schedule your testing appointment at your convenience.