The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is a standardised test often required for admission to graduate schools in the United States and other countries.
One of the sections of the GRE is the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), which requires test takers to write two essays.
The essays assess the test taker’s ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively.
In this article, we will discuss what the GRE AWA is, what it measures, and where to find sample essays to help you prepare for the exam with an example of an Essay.
What is the GRE AWA?
The GRE AWA section consists of two essays: the Issue and the Argument. The Issue essay requires the test taker to respond to a prompt by taking a position on a specific issue and supporting that position with evidence and examples. The Argument essay requires the test taker to analyse an argument and identify its strengths and weaknesses.
Each essay is timed for 30 minutes and scored on a scale of 0-6 in half-point increments. The scores for each essay are then averaged to produce an overall AWA score.
What Does the GRE AWA Measure?
The GRE AWA measures the test taker’s ability to think critically, express complex ideas clearly and effectively, and analyse and evaluate arguments. The AWA section is not testing the test taker’s knowledge of any specific subject matter but their ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely.
Why is the GRE AWA Important?
The AWA section of the GRE is integral to the overall test because it measures skills important in graduate school and beyond. Graduate school requires students to think critically, analyse complex information, and express their ideas clearly and effectively. The AWA section helps admissions committees evaluate whether the test taker has the skills to succeed in graduate school.
Many employers and professional schools also use the GRE scores to measure a candidate’s critical thinking and analytical abilities. A high score on the AWA section can help demonstrate that the test taker has these valuable skills.
Where to Find GRE AWA Sample Essays
One of the best ways to prepare for the GRE AWA section is to review sample essays. Reading and analysing sample essays can help test takers understand what is expected of them and how to structure them.
Here are some resources where you can find GRE AWA sample essays:
The Official GRE Website
The official GRE website provides sample essays for both the Issue and Argument essays. These essays were written by actual test takers and scored by trained GRE readers. The essays are accompanied by score explanations describing why they received their scores.
The sample essays on the official GRE website are an excellent resource for test takers because they provide a clear example of what a high-scoring essay looks like. Test takers can compare their writing to the sample essays to identify areas for improvement.
GRE Prep Books
Many GRE prep books include sample essays for the AWA section. These essays are often accompanied by detailed explanations of what makes the essay effective or ineffective. Some popular GRE prep books that include sample essays are:
- The Official Guide to the GRE General Test, Third Edition
- Manhattan Prep GRE Set of 8 Strategy Guides
- Kaplan GRE Prep Plus
GRE prep books are a great resource for test takers because they provide a comprehensive overview of the test and offer strategies for approaching each section.
Online Resources
Many online resources allow test takers to find GRE AWA sample essays. Some websites offer free sample essays, while others charge a fee to access their resources.
- Magoosh GRE Prep: Magoosh provides a wide range of GRE prep materials, including sample essays for the AWA section. Test takers can access these sample essays for free after signing up for a free trial or purchasing a subscription. Here are some websites that offer GRE AWA sample essays:
- GREedge: GREedge is an online GRE prep course that offers sample essays for both the Issue and Argument essays. Test takers can access these sample essays by signing up for a free account.
- PrepScholar GRE: PrepScholar offers a range of GRE prep materials, including sample essays for the AWA section. Test takers can access these sample essays for free after signing up for a free account.
When using online resources, it is essential to ensure that the sample essays are reliable. Test takers should look for sample essays written by actual test takers and scored by trained GRE readers.
Tips for Analyzing GRE AWA Sample Essays
When reviewing sample essays for the AWA section, test takers should keep the following tips in mind:
- Pay attention to the structure: The essays in the AWA section should follow a clear and logical structure. The introduction should present the thesis statement, the body paragraphs should provide evidence and examples to support the thesis, and the conclusion should summarise the main points and restate the thesis. Test takers should pay attention to how the sample essays are structured and use that as a guide for their writing.
- Look for solid evidence and examples: The essays in the AWA section should be supported by substantial evidence and examples. Test takers should look for sample essays that use specific examples to help their arguments and demonstrate their critical thinking skills.
- Pay attention to language and grammar: The essays in the AWA section should be written clearly and concisely with correct grammar and punctuation. Test takers should look for sample essays demonstrating strong writing skills and avoid common errors, such as run-on sentences and awkward phrasing.
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses: When reviewing sample essays for the Argument essay, test takers should evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the argument presented in the essay. They should consider how the author supports their claims and identify any logical fallacies or flaws in the reasoning.
The GRE AWA section is integral to the GRE and measures skills critical in graduate school and beyond. Test takers can prepare for the AWA section by reviewing sample essays, which can help them understand what is expected of them and how to structure their essays.
The official GRE website, GRE prep books, and online resources offer a range of sample essays for test takers to review.
When analysing sample essays, test takers should pay attention to the structure, evidence and examples, language and grammar, and strengths and weaknesses of the argument.
By reviewing sample essays and practising their writing skills, test takers can improve their scores on the AWA section and demonstrate their critical thinking and analytical abilities.
GRE AWA Essay: Example
Here is an example of an AWA essay for the Argument task:
Prompt: The following appeared in a memo from the marketing director of Top Dog Pet Stores.
"Over the past year, our total sales have decreased by 20 per cent, and our profits have decreased even more. Therefore, we should reduce the number of Top Dog stores in our chain by closing some of our poorly performing locations. Focusing our resources on our more profitable locations can increase our sales and profits and better serve our customers."
Essay:
The argument made by the marketing director of Top Dog Pet Stores that the company should reduce the number of stores in its chain to increase sales and profits needs to be revised. The argument assumes that the poorly performing stores are the sole cause of the company's decreased sales and profits and that closing these stores will automatically lead to increased profits. However, this assumption ignores other reasons for declining sales and profits. It fails to consider the potential adverse effects of closing stores on the company's overall brand image and customer loyalty.
Firstly, the argument overlooks the possibility that the company's decreased sales and profits may be due to factors other than the poorly performing stores. For instance, economic changes or competition from other pet stores may contribute to the decline. Therefore, simply closing the poorly performing stores may not address the root cause of the problem and may not necessarily increase sales and profits.
Thirdly, the argument must consider the potential adverse effects of closing stores on the company's overall brand image and customer loyalty. Closing stores may send the message to customers that the company is in financial trouble, which could lead to a loss of confidence in the brand. Additionally, loyal customers may feel alienated and choose to shop at a competitor's store. These adverse effects on the company's brand image and customer loyalty could further exacerbate the decline in sales and profits.
Finally, the argument assumes that the poorly performing stores are beyond repair and that closing them is the only option. However, there may be alternative strategies that the company can employ to turn these stores around and make them profitable again. For instance, the company could invest in better marketing or improve the quality of products and services at these stores to attract more customers and increase sales.
In conclusion, the argument made by the marketing director of Top Dog Pet Stores that the company should reduce the number of stores in its chain to increase sales and profits needs to be revised. The argument overlooks other possible causes for the decline in sales and profits, fails to consider the potential adverse effects of closing stores on the company's brand image and customer loyalty and assumes that closing the poorly performing stores is the only option. Before making any decisions, the company should thoroughly analyse the causes of the decline in sales and profits and explore alternative strategies for improving sales and profits at all stores in the chain.
