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A score of 6 is Outstanding—A cogent, well-articulated analysis of the complexities of the issue, demonstrating mastery of the elements of effective writing, and displaying the following characteristics:
- explores ideas and develops a position on the issue with insightful reasons and/or persuasive examples
- is clearly well organized
- demonstrates superior control of language, including diction and syntactic variety
- demonstrates superior facility with the conventions of standard written English, but may have minor flaws
A score of 5 is Strong—A well-developed analysis of the complexities of the issue, demonstrating strong control of the elements of effective writing, and displaying the following characteristics:
- explores ideas and develops a position on the issue with well-chosen reasons and/or examples
- is generally well organized
- demonstrates clear control of language, including diction and syntactic variety
- demonstrates facility with the conventions of standard written English, but may have minor flaws
A score of 4 is Adequate—A competent analysis of the issue, demonstrating adequate control of the elements of effective writing, and displaying the following characteristics:
- develops a position on the issue with relevant reasons and/or examples
- is adequately organized
- demonstrates adequate control of language, including diction and syntactic variety, but may lack syntactic variety
- displays control of the conventions of standard written English, but may have some flaws
A score of 3 is Limited—A competent analysis of the issue, demonstrating adequate control of the elements of effective writing, and displaying the following characteristics:
- is vague or limited in developing a position on the issue
- is poorly organized
- is weak in the use of relevant reasons or examples
- uses language imprecisely and/or lacks sentence variety
- contains occasional major errors or frequent minor errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics
A score of 2 is Seriously Flawed—A paper demonstrating serious weakness in analytical writing skills, and displaying the following characteristics:
- is unclear or seriously limited in presenting or developing a position on the issue
- is disorganized
- provides few, if any, relevant reasons or examples
- has serious, frequent problems in the use of language and sentence structure
- contains numerous errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that interfere with meaning
A score of 1 is Fundamentally Deficient—A paper demonstrating fundamental deficiencies in analytical writing skills, and displaying the following characteristics:
- provides little evidence of the ability to develop or organize a coherent response to the topic
- has severe and persistent errors in language and sentence structure
- contains a pervasive pattern of errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics that severely interferes with meaning
A score of 0 is Unscorable—A paper that is totally illegible or obviously not written on the assigned topic.
A score of 6 is Outstanding—A cogent, well-articulated critique of the argument, demonstrating mastery of the elements of effective writing, and displaying the following characteristics:
- clearly identifies and insightfully analyzes important features of the argument
- develops ideas cogently, organizes them logically, and connects them smoothly with clear transitions
- effectively supports the main points of the critique
- demonstrates superior control of language, including diction and syntactic variety and the conventions of standard written English. There may be minor flaws
A score of 5 is Strong—A well-developed critique of the argument, demonstrating good control of the elements of effective writing, and displaying the following characteristics:
- clearly identifies important features of the argument and analyzes them in a generally thoughtful way
- develops ideas clearly, organizes them logically, and connects them with appropriate transitions
- sensibly supports the main points of the critique
- demonstrates clear control of language, including diction and syntactic variety
- demonstrates facility with the conventions of standard written English, but may have minor flaws
A score of 4 is Adequate—A competent critique of the argument, demonstrating adequate control of the elements of effective writing, and displaying the following characteristics:
- identifies and capably analyzes important features of the argument
- develops and organizes ideas satisfactorily, but may not always connect them with transitions
- supports the main points of the critique
- demonstrates adequate control of language, including diction and syntactic variety, but may lack syntactic variety
- displays control of the conventions of standard written English, but may have some flaws
A score of 3 is Limited—A competent but clearly flawed critique of the argument, demonstrating some control of the elements of effective writing, and displaying the following characteristics:
- does not identify or analyze most of the important features of the argument, although some analysis is present
- is limited in the logical development and organization of ideas
- offers support of little relevance and value for points of the critique
- uses language imprecisely and/or lacks sentence variety
- contains occasional major errors or frequent minor errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics
A score of 2 is Seriously Flawed—A paper demonstrating serious weakness in analytical writing skills, and displaying the following characteristics:
- fails to show an understanding of and does not identify or analyze the main features of the argument
- does not develop ideas or is disorganized
- provides few, if any, relevant or reasonable supports
- has serious, frequent problems in the use of language and sentence structure
- contains numerous errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that interfere with meaning
A score of 1 is Fundamentally Deficient—A paper demonstrating fundamental deficiencies in analytical writing skills, and displaying the following characteristics:
- provides little evidence of the ability to understand and analyze the argument or to develop an organized response to it
- has severe and persistent errors in language and sentence structure
- contains a pervasive pattern of errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics thus resulting in incoherence
A score of 0 is Unscorable—A paper that is totally illegible or obviously not written on the assigned topic.
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The essay will be scored by experienced and trained high school and college teachers. Each essay will be scored by two people who won’t know each other’s score. They won’t know the student’s identity or school either. Each reader will give the essay a score from 1 to 6 (6 is the highest score) based on the following scoring guide.
Please note that the essay images seen by readers for scoring purposes are clearer than the images we can display for students and institutions on our website.
SCORE OF 6
An essay in this category demonstrates clear and consistent mastery, although it may have a few minor errors. A typical essay
- effectively and insightfully develops a point of view on the issue and demonstrates outstanding critical thinking, using clearly appropriate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position
- is well organized and clearly focused, demonstrating clear coherence and smooth progression of ideas
- exhibits skillful use of language, using a varied, accurate, and apt vocabulary
- demonstrates meaningful variety in sentence structure
- is free of most errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics
SCORE OF 5
An essay in this category demonstrates reasonably consistent mastery, although it will have occasional errors or lapses in quality. A typical essay
- effectively develops a point of view on the issue and demonstrates strong critical thinking, generally using appropriate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position
- is well organized and focused, demonstrating coherence and progression of ideas
- exhibits facility in the use of language, using appropriate vocabulary
- demonstrates variety in sentence structure
- is generally free of most errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics
SCORE OF 4
An essay in this category demonstrates adequate mastery, although it will have lapses in quality. A typical essay
- develops a point of view on the issue and demonstrates competent critical thinking, using adequate examples, reasons, and other evidence to support its position
- is generally organized and focused, demonstrating some coherence and progression of ideas
- exhibits adequate but inconsistent facility in the use of language, using generally appropriate vocabulary
- demonstrates some variety in sentence structure
- has some errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics
SCORE OF 3
An essay in this category demonstrates developing mastery, and is marked by ONE OR MORE of the following weaknesses:
- develops a point of view on the issue, demonstrating some critical thinking, but may do so inconsistently or use inadequate examples, reasons, or other evidence to support its position
- is limited in its organization or focus, or may demonstrate some lapses in coherence or progression of ideas
- displays developing facility in the use of language, but sometimes uses weak vocabulary or inappropriate word choice
- lacks variety or demonstrates problems in sentence structure
- contains an accumulation of errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics
SCORE OF 2
An essay in this category demonstrates little mastery, and is flawed by ONE OR MORE of the following weaknesses:
- develops a point of view on the issue that is vague or seriously limited, and demonstrates weak critical thinking, providing inappropriate or insufficient examples, reasons, or other evidence to support its position
- is poorly organized and/or focused, or demonstrates serious problems with coherence or progression of ideas
- displays very little facility in the use of language, using very limited vocabulary or incorrect word choice
- demonstrates frequent problems in sentence structure
- contains errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics so serious that meaning is somewhat obscured
SCORE OF 1
An essay in this category demonstrates very little or no mastery, and is severely flawed by ONE OR MORE of the following weaknesses:
- develops no viable point of view on the issue, or provides little or no evidence to support its position
- is disorganized or unfocused, resulting in a disjointed or incoherent essay
- displays fundamental errors in vocabulary
- demonstrates severe flaws in sentence structure
- contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that persistently interfere with meaning
Essays not written on the essay assignment will receive a score of zero.
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Each Analyze an Argument essay will be scored on a 6-point holistic scale according to the criteria below. Although the GRE® Analytical Writing Measure contains two discrete analytical writing tasks, a single combined score is reported because it is more reliable than either task score alone. The score reported will represent the average of the scores for the two tasks.
SCORE 6
A 6 paper presents a cogent, well-articulated critique of the argument and conveys meaning skillfully.
A typical paper in this category
- clearly identifies important features of the argument and analyzes them insightfully
- develops ideas cogently, organizes them logically, and connects them with clear transitions
- effectively supports the main points of the critique
- demonstrates control of language, including appropriate word choice and sentence variety
- demonstrates facility with the conventions (i.e., grammar, usage, and mechanics) of standard written English but may have minor errors
See an example of an argument essay that earns a score of 6.
SCORE 5
A 5 paper presents a generally thoughtful, well-developed critique of the argument and conveys meaning clearly.
A typical paper in this category
- clearly identifies important features of the argument and analyzes them in a generally perceptive way
- develops ideas clearly, organizes them logically, and connects them with appropriate transitions
- sensibly supports the main points of the critique
- demonstrates control of language, including appropriate word choice and sentence variety
- demonstrates facility with the conventions of standard written English but may have minor errors
See an example of an argument essay that earns a score of 5.
SCORE 4
A 4 paper presents a competent critique of the argument and conveys meaning adequately.
A typical paper in this category
- identifies and analyzes important features of the argument
- develops and organizes ideas satisfactorily but may not connect them with transitions
- supports the main points of the critique
- demonstrates sufficient control of language to express ideas with reasonable clarity
- generally demonstrates control of the conventions of standard written English but may have some errors
See an example of an argument essay that earns a score of 4.
SCORE 3
A 3 paper demonstrates some competence in its critique of the argument and in conveying meaning but is obviously flawed.
A typical paper in this category exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:
- does not identify or analyze most of the important features of the argument, although some analysis of the argument is present
- mainly analyzes tangential or irrelevant matters, or reasons poorly
- is limited in the logical development and organization of ideas
- offers support of little relevance and value for points of the critique
- lacks clarity in expressing ideas
- contains occasional major errors or frequent minor errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that can interfere with meaning
See an example of an argument essay that earns a score of 3.
SCORE 2
A 2 paper demonstrates serious weaknesses in analytical writing.
A typical paper in this category exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:
- does not present a critique based on logical analysis, but may instead present the writer’s own views on the subject
- does not develop ideas, or is disorganized and illogical
- provides little, if any, relevant or reasonable support
- has serious problems in the use of language and in sentence structure that frequently interfere with meaning
- contains serious errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that frequently obscure meaning
See an example of an argument essay that earns a score of 2.
SCORE 1
A 1 paper demonstrates fundamental deficiencies in analytical writing.
A typical paper in this category exhibits more than one of the following characteristics:
- provides little or no evidence of the ability to understand and analyze the argument
- provides little or no evidence of the ability to develop an organized response
- has severe problems in language and sentence structure that persistently interfere with meaning
- contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that result in incoherence
See an example of an argument essay that earns a score of 1.
SCORE 0
- Off topic (i.e., provides no evidence of an attempt to respond to the assigned topic), in a foreign language, merely copies the topic, consists of only keystroke characters, or is illegible, or nonverbal.
SCORE NS
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Each Present Your Perspective on an Issue essay is scored on a 6-point holistic scale according to the criteria below. Although the GRE® Analytical Writing Measure contains two discrete analytical writing tasks, a single combined score is reported because it is more reliable than either task score alone. The score reported will represent the average of the scores for the two tasks.
Score of 6
A 6 paper presents a cogent, well-articulated analysis of the complexities of the issue and conveys meaning skillfully.
A typical paper in this category:
- presents an insightful position on the issue
- develops the position with compelling reasons and/or persuasive examples
- sustains a well-focused, well-organized analysis, connecting ideas logically
- expresses ideas fluently and precisely, using effective vocabulary and sentence variety
- demonstrates facility with the conventions (i.e., grammar, usage, and mechanics) of standard written English but may have minor errors.
See an example of an issue essay that earned a score of 6.
Score of 5
A 5 paper presents a generally thoughtful, well-developed analysis of the complexities of the issue and conveys meaning clearly.
A typical paper in this category
- presents a well-considered position on the issue
- develops the position with logically sound reasons and/or well-chosen examples
- maintains focus and is generally well organized, connecting ideas appropriately
- expresses ideas clearly and well, using appropriate vocabulary and sentence variety
- demonstrates facility with the conventions of standard written English but may have minor errors.
See an example of an issue essay that earned a score of 5.
Score of 4
A 4 paper presents a competent analysis of the issue and conveys meaning adequately.
A typical paper in this category
- presents a clear position on the issue
- develops the position on the issue with relevant reasons and/or examples
- is adequately focused and organized
- expresses ideas with reasonable clarity
- generally demonstrates control of the conventions of standard written English but may have some errors.
See an example of an issue essay that earned a score of 4.
Score of 3
A 3 paper demonstrates some competence in its analysis of the issue and in conveying meaning but is obviously flawed.
A typical paper in this category exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:
- is vague or limited in presenting or developing a position on the issue
- is weak in the use of relevant reasons or examples
- is poorly focused and/or poorly organized
- presents problems in language and sentence structure that result in a lack of clarity
- contains occasional major errors or frequent minor errors in grammar, usage or mechanics that can interfere with meaning.
See an example of an issue essay that earned a score of 3.
Score of 2
A 2 paper demonstrates serious weaknesses in analytical writing.
A typical paper in this category exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:
- is unclear or seriously limited in presenting or developing a position on the issue
- provides few, if any, relevant reasons or examples
- is unfocused and/or disorganized
- presents serious problems in the use of language and sentence structure that frequently interfere with meaning
- contains serious errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that frequently obscure meaning.
See an example of an issue essay that earned a score of 2.
Score of 1
A 1 paper demonstrates fundamental deficiencies in analytical writing.
A typical paper in this category exhibits one or more of the following characteristics
- provides little or no evidence of the ability to understand and analyze the issue
- provides little or no evidence of the ability to develop an organized response
- presents severe problems in language and sentence structure that persistently interfere with meaning
- contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that result in incoherence.
See an example of an issue essay that earned a score of 1.
Score of 0
- off-topic (i.e., provides no evidence of an attempt to respond to the assigned topic), in a foreign language, merely copies the topic, consists of only keystroke characters, or is illegible, or nonverbal.
Score of NS
