How can I Score Well in GRE® Writing?

In order to score well on the Graduate Record Examination® (GRE®) writing test, you will typically have to earn at least an average score, which is four. Earning an above-average score may increase your chances of getting into the school of your choice,however. To prepare for this test and score well, you may engage in activities that boost your comprehension and analytical writing skills as well as your persuasive abilities. You also may put some effort into improving your spelling and grammar skills, but they count for less on this test.

When you want to score well on the GRE® writing test, you may start by figuring out what constitutes an average score. In this case, a score of four is considered average, though scoring higher will likely prove more impressive to university admissions representatives. In order to get at least an average score, you will have to demonstrate that you can competently provide a critique of a topic and convey your point at an adequate intellectual level. To obtain an above-average score, you will typically have to ensure that your writing is thoughtful, convincing, well developed, and well articulated as well.

Practice will likely prove important when you want to score well on the GRE® writing test. You may, for example, choose to take a GRE® writing course that provides an opportunity to brush up on or build writing skills and includes a good deal of practice with the type of writing you will face on the GRE®. If you can find a course that includes essay grading and feedback from an instructor, that may prove helpful as well. You may also obtain a GRE® study guide that includes practice materials, including sample topics that you can use to prepare for the test.

You may also prepare for the GRE® writing test on your own by visiting the Educational Testing Service® (ETS®) GRE® website and reviewing the list of topics that may be included on the test. This will give you an idea of the types of topics to which you will be asked to respond, and you can use these topics to practice essay writing on your own. In such a case, you may do well to practice responding to an issue in one type of essay and responding to an argument in another type. Getting a good deal of practice may help you to be optimally prepared for this part of the exam.