The GRE Analytical Writing (AWA) section is a single 30-minute "Analyze an Issue" essay, scored 0–6 in half-point steps. ETS publishes the entire Issue topic pool your prompt is drawn from, so you can practise on the real topics.
What the GRE AWA section is
Analytical Writing is always the first section of the test. Since 22 September 2023 it has had one task with a 30-minute limit; before that date there were two tasks, an Issue essay and an Argument essay, so older guides that mention the Argument task are out of date.
ETS says the measure tests whether you can articulate and support complex ideas, construct arguments and sustain a focused and coherent discussion. It doesn't test subject knowledge. Topics range from the arts and humanities to the social and physical sciences, but ETS says each task has been tested by actual GRE test takers to check that people from any field of study can understand it and respond.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Task | One "Analyze an Issue" essay |
| Time | 30 minutes |
| Position in the test | Always first |
| Score | 0–6, in half-point steps |
| Writing tool | Basic ETS word processor: insert, delete, cut-and-paste, undo; no spellchecker or grammar checker |
| Topics | Drawn from a pool that ETS publishes in full |
For how the essay fits around the Verbal and Quant sections, see what's on the GRE, and for the full list of what each measure covers, our GRE syllabus guide.
The Issue task and its six instruction types
Each Issue prompt makes a claim that can be discussed from various perspectives, and your job is to present a compelling case for your own position. The claim always comes with one of six instruction sets, and ETS stresses that you must answer the specific instruction, not just the topic. In short, the six ask you to:
- say how far you agree with a statement, considering when it might or might not hold true;
- say how far you agree with a recommendation, describing circumstances where adopting it would or wouldn't be an advantage;
- say how far you agree with a claim, dealing with the strongest reasons or examples against your position;
- say which of two views is closer to your own, addressing both;
- say how far you agree with a claim and the reason given for it;
- give your views on a policy, considering the likely consequences of putting it into practice.
This paraphrases ETS's list of instruction sets; read the exact wording there before test day. ETS also says the raters are not looking for a "right" answer: there is no correct position, only how well you follow the instruction and build your argument.
GRE AWA topics: where to find the official pool
The GRE Program has published the entire Issue topic pool from which your test task will be selected. The link on ETS's page goes to an ETS download page, the GRE Issue topic tool, which offers the pool free of charge.
ETS's own advice is that practising on some of the published topics is an excellent way to prepare. Even when you don't write a full response, sketching a position and two or three examples for a prompt is useful practice. Some people start untimed and others start with a timed essay; ETS describes both approaches.
How the GRE AWA is scored
ETS says essay responses are evaluated on a 6-point holistic scale, including a score from the e-rater scoring engine, a computer program ETS developed to identify essay features related to writing proficiency. "Holistic" means the score reflects the overall quality of the essay in response to the task, not a checklist of points. GRE raters are carefully trained to apply the Issue scoring guide.
- Scale: 0 to 6 in half-point increments. A blank response gets NS (no score).
- When you see it: you see unofficial Verbal and Quant scores straight after the test, but not your Analytical Writing score, because of the essay scoring process. It arrives with your official scores.
- Originality checks: all essays are reviewed with ETS essay-similarity detection software and by experienced content experts. Memorised templates and copied text are a real risk.
- Score Review: if you think your essay was under-scored, you can request a review within 90 days of your test for US$60. The review can raise or lower your score, results take about four weeks, and you can't send scores to schools until it's finished.
For how the Verbal and Quant scores are produced, see our guide to how the GRE is scored.
What each AWA score means (the rubric)
ETS publishes score level descriptions for each band and a more detailed scoring guide for the Issue task. Here is a plain-English summary; read ETS's page for the exact wording.
| Score | What the writing typically shows |
|---|---|
| 6 and 5.5 | Insightful, in-depth analysis; very convincing reasons and examples; tightly organised; precise, varied language with only minor slips |
| 5 and 4.5 | Generally thoughtful analysis; sound reasons and well-chosen examples; well organised and clear; minor errors that don't affect meaning |
| 4 and 3.5 | Competent analysis that follows the task; relevant support; adequately organised and reasonably clear; some errors that affect clarity |
| 3 and 2.5 | Some competence, but at least one clear weakness: thin analysis, weak organisation, or errors that often make it vague |
| 2 and 1.5 | Serious weaknesses, such as little analysis, not addressing the task clearly, no organisation, or errors that obscure meaning |
| 1 and 0.5 | Fundamental problems: confusing or largely irrelevant content, little development, or pervasive errors |
| 0 | Doesn't address the task, only copies the prompt, is in a foreign language, or can't be read |
| NS | No text written |
Two points stand out in the rubric. First, language counts, but ETS says an occasional spelling or grammatical error won't affect your score; only serious and persistent errors pull it down. Second, compare the 4 and 5 descriptions: the step up is in the depth of analysis and the quality of reasons and examples, along with clearer organisation and language. Nothing in the descriptions rewards length. ETS also publishes scored sample essays with rater comments, and suggests looking especially at the 5 and 6 responses.
A practical plan for the 30 minutes
ETS's advice is to budget your time: leave time to consider the issue and the instruction, plan, write, and then save a few minutes to check for obvious errors. Here is one way to split the 30 minutes along those lines. It's a starting point, not an official rule, so adjust it after a few timed attempts.
| Minutes | What to do |
|---|---|
| 0–5 | Read the claim and the instruction twice. Decide your position, including any limits or conditions. Note two or three examples. |
| 5–25 | Write: a short opening that states your position, two or three body paragraphs each built on one reason and example, and a paragraph that answers the instruction directly (for example, the strongest counter-argument or the policy's consequences). |
| 25–30 | Reread. Fix sentences that are unclear and obvious typos; there's no spellchecker. |
- Download the official topic pool and pick five prompts with different instruction types.
- For each, spend five minutes outlining only: position, examples, and how you'll meet the instruction.
- Write two or three essays under a strict 30-minute timer. You can do this on our free GRE writing practice.
- Compare each essay against the score descriptions above and ETS's sample essays. Ask: did I follow the exact instruction, and did each example actually support my point?
ETS also offers a paid tool, ScoreItNow! Online Writing Practice, which the Bulletin says gives immediate scores for your Analytical Writing responses along with sample responses. If writing is your weak area, build it in alongside your Verbal practice; thirty minutes a day is enough for one timed essay.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the GRE AWA?
30 minutes for one "Analyze an Issue" essay. It's always the first section of the GRE General Test.
Where can I find the official GRE AWA topics?
ETS publishes the entire Issue topic pool your task is chosen from, free, through its GRE Issue topic tool.
Is the GRE essay scored by a computer?
Partly. ETS says essays are evaluated on a 6-point holistic scale that includes a score from its e-rater engine, and that trained GRE raters apply the scoring guide.
Is there still an Argument essay on the GRE?
No. Since 22 September 2023 the writing section has had only the Issue task.
Can I get my GRE AWA score reviewed?
Yes. You can request a Score Review in your ETS account within 90 days of your test; it costs US$60, and the new score can be higher or lower.
Next steps
Link to this guide
Using these figures on your site or in class? You're welcome to quote them with a link back:
<a href="https://www.keiko.study/blog/gre-analytical-writing">GRE AWA 2026: Issue Essay, Topics, Score and Rubric</a>
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Sources
Every source below was accessed on the listed date. Pages — especially department admissions pages — change without notice; the links go to the live versions.
- Overview of the Analytical Writing Measure — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- Analyze an Issue Task — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- GRE General Test Analytical Writing Scoring — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- Understanding Your GRE General Test Scores — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- GRE General Test Structure — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- GRE Information Bulletin 2026–27 (PDF) — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- GRE General Test Fees — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
- GRE Issue Topic Pool download — ETS. Accessed 2026-10-01.
Related guides
Sources and corrections
Sources last checked 2026-10-01Every source cited on this page was checked on the date shown, and we update the page when a source changes. If something looks wrong, tell us and we'll recheck it.