GRE Prep: GRE Essay Scoring Criteria & Templates

GRE – GRE Essay Scoring Criteria & Templates

What This Is

The GRE Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) consists of two 30‑minute essays – the Issue task and the Argument task. Scores (0‑6 in half‑point increments) are based on the official scoring rubric, which evaluates “clarity of thought, development of ideas, organization, and language use.” For example, a typical Issue prompt might read:

“Governments should place few, if any, restrictions on the development of new technologies.”

Your job is to craft a well‑structured, evidence‑driven response that meets the rubric’s criteria.

Key Terms & Rules

• Scoring Rubric (0‑6): Six‑point scale; 0 = “unscorable,” 6 = “exceptional.” Scores are the average of two independent raters (or a human + ETS‑computer).
• Holistic Scoring: Raters judge the essay as a whole, not by counting errors; a single glaring flaw can lower the score, but strong arguments can offset minor slips.
• Issue Task: You choose a stance (agree/disagree) and support it with examples, reasoning, and a clear line of argument.
• Argument Task: You critique a given argument, pointing out assumptions, evidence gaps, and logical flaws; you do not present your own position on the issue.
• Template Structure (Issue): Intro → 2–3 Body Paragraphs (each with claim, evidence, analysis) → Counter‑argument paragraph → Conclusion.
• Template Structure (Argument): Intro → Identify Assumptions → Discuss Evidence Weaknesses → Suggest Additional Evidence → Conclusion.
• Transition Words: “Moreover,” “Conversely,” “Consequently,” “Nevertheless,” etc., signal logical flow and earn organization points.
• Sentence Variety: Mix simple, compound, and complex sentences; a monotone style can hurt the “language use” score.
• Time Management: 5 min to outline, 20 min to write, 5 min to revise; the ETS‑scoring guide notes that “well‑planned essays score higher.”

Step‑by‑Step / Process Flow

1. Read & Highlight (≈30 sec): Underline the prompt’s directive words (e.g., “discuss,” “evaluate,” “critique”) and any concrete data or examples given.
2. Choose a Position (Issue) / Identify Core Flaw (Argument) (≈1 min): Decide your stance (Issue) or the single most damaging assumption (Argument).
3. Outline (≈4 min): Write a quick 3‑line skeleton using the appropriate template (see above). Include a claim, a piece of evidence, and a brief analysis for each body paragraph.
4. Write the Essay (≈20 min): Follow the outline, inserting transition words and varied sentence structures. Keep each paragraph to 4‑6 sentences.
5. Proofread (≈5 min): Scan for grammar slips, missing transitions, or a paragraph that drifts from the thesis; fix one or two high‑impact errors.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: “Writing a generic ‘agree/disagree’ essay without concrete examples.”
  Correction: Ground every claim in a specific, vivid illustration (personal experience, historical event, or statistical fact).

• Mistake: “In the Argument task, inserting your own opinion about the issue.”
  Correction: Stay strictly within the scope of the argument; focus on assumptions, evidence, and logical gaps, not on the broader topic.

• Mistake: “Neglecting the counter‑argument paragraph in the Issue essay.”
  Correction: Include at least one paragraph that acknowledges the opposite view and explains why your stance remains stronger; this demonstrates nuanced thinking.

• Mistake: “Using overly complex vocabulary that feels forced.”
  Correction: Prefer precise, familiar words; clarity beats flashiness.

• Mistake: “Running out of time and leaving the essay incomplete.”
  Correction: Stick to the 5‑4‑5‑1 minute timing rule; a complete, coherent essay always beats a half‑finished one.

Exam Insights

1. Most‑Tested Criterion – Development: Raters award the highest points when each paragraph contains a claim → evidence → analysis chain.
2. Logical Fallacy Spotting: In the Argument task, the most common trap is the “unwarranted assumption”; identifying it quickly secures the bulk of the score.
3. Organization Signals: Repeating the thesis verbatim in the conclusion is a red flag; instead, restate the main idea in new words.
4. Score‑Gap Pitfall: A 5‑point essay can be downgraded to a 4 if it contains any major grammatical error that impedes meaning.

Quick Check Questions

1. Which of the following best fulfills the “development” requirement for a 5‑point Issue essay?
   
   A) A single paragraph with three unrelated examples.
   
   B) Three paragraphs, each containing a claim, supporting evidence, and a brief analysis.
   
   C) A list of bullet‑point facts without any connective commentary.
   Answer: B – The rubric rewards a clear claim‑evidence‑analysis structure in each body paragraph.

2. On the Argument task, the most effective way to lower the score of a 5‑point essay is to:
   
   A) Add a personal anecdote about the topic.
   
   B) Identify and discuss the underlying assumption that the argument relies on.
   
   C) Restate the argument’s conclusion in different words.
   Answer: B – Pointing out the hidden assumption directly addresses the scoring focus on logical critique.

3. During the 30‑minute writing window, the optimal time allocation is:
   
   A) 10 min outline, 15 min write, 5 min proofread.
   
   B) 5 min outline, 20 min write, 5 min proofread.
   
   C) 2 min outline, 25 min write, 3 min proofread.
   Answer: B – ETS recommends a 5‑4‑5‑1 minute split; 5 min for outlining yields the best organized essays.

Last‑Minute Cram Sheet (10 one‑liners)

1. ⚠️ Never introduce new evidence in the conclusion – it signals poor organization.
2. Score 0 = “unscorable”; any essay that fails to address the prompt gets a 0.
3. Issue template: Thesis → 2–3 supporting paragraphs → Counter‑argument → Restated thesis.
4. Argument template: Identify assumption → Show evidence gap → Propose additional data → Conclude.
5. Use “Moreover,” “However,” and “Consequently” to earn logical‑flow points.
6. Sentence variety = at least one complex sentence per paragraph.
7. A single major grammar error can drop a 5 to a 4; proofread for subject‑verb agreement.
8. The two raters’ scores are averaged; a 4.5 is possible only when one rater gives a 4 and the other a 5.
9. Time rule: 5 min outline, 20 min write, 5 min revise – stick to it.
10. ⚠️ In the Argument task, do not argue the issue’s merit; stay focused on the argument’s logic.