GRE Analytical Writing practice

15 Writing tests, free.

Each test is the Writing measure of a full mock — same questions, same timing, taken on its own.

Sample GRE Issue prompts

Real Analyze an Issue essay prompts, one from each free Writing test. Each is written to the official format and instruction variants, the same kind the GRE draws from its published pool.

1. 1

   “Governments should focus their funding on basic scientific research rather than on applied research aimed at immediate practical results.”

   Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning. In developing and supporting your position, consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true.

2. 2

   “The best way to understand the character of a society is to examine the achievements of its most prominent individuals.”

   Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning. In developing and supporting your position, consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true.

3. 3

   “Societies benefit more from citizens who question their established institutions than from those who loyally uphold them.”

   Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning. In developing and supporting your position, consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true.

4. 4

   “Universities should require every student, regardless of major, to take a substantial number of courses in the humanities.”

   Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning. In developing and supporting your position, consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true.

5. 5

   “Governments should place greater emphasis on long-term economic stability than on short-term economic growth.”

   Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning. In developing and supporting your position, consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true.

How the GRE essay is scored (0 to 6)

The Analytical Writing measure is scored from 0 to 6 in half-point steps against the official rubric. A single Issue essay is read on four dimensions: how clearly you take and sustain a position, the quality of your reasons and examples, how well the essay is organised, and your control of language. A 6 develops a cogent, well-supported position with fluent prose; a 4, roughly the middle of the scale, presents a clear position with adequate support and some lapses; scores below that show thin reasoning, weak organisation, or frequent errors. Only ETS issues an official score, so our grader gives an expert, rubric-based estimate on those same dimensions and flags the one to fix first.

Pick a prompt, set the 30-minute timer, then submit your essay to the grader.

All three GRE measures.

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