Lesson: Intro to the GRE Analytical Writing Section

IMPORTANT: On September 22, 2023, ETS (the GRE test-makers) changed the format of the GRE. The updated tests still tests the same content the "old" edition tested, EXCEPT the Analyze the Argument essay has been removed from the Analytical Writing section. The new test also has shorter sections. The details of these changes can be found here. 

The layout of this prep course, including the Study Guide, will not be updated to reflect the changes to the test as Brent, the founder of Greenlight Test Prep, has recently joined the team at Target Test Prep.  

That said, since this video prep course still covers all of the content tested on the updated edition, it can still be used to prepare. The onus, however, will be on you to to familiarize yourself with the changes to the test, which can be found here.   

Reinforcement Activities

  • Official list of all of possible essay prompts for the Issue Essay
  • Official list of all possible essay prompts for the Argument Essay
  • Use ETS's ScoreItNow service to get two essays scored by the official e-rater scoring system ($20 fee)

Comment on Intro to the GRE Analytical Writing Section

Chelsea Anderson - November 25, 2016
Thank you very much!! This series of videos helped me go from a 3.0 to a 5.0 score on the AWA. Highly, highly recommended!
greenlight-admin's picture

greenlight-admin - November 25, 2016

Good to hear! And congrats!

RJ RAM'S - November 25, 2016
Thank you very much. helped me scoring 5 in AWA

Asmaa Dokmak - September 16, 2017
Great Videos. Does the number of words count?
greenlight-admin's picture

greenlight-admin - September 16, 2017

The test-makers don't specify whether word count matters, but it does appear that the high-scoring essays are usually longer.

That said, the important thing is to adequately express and defend your position.

Asmaa Dokmak - September 16, 2017
Thanks for your quick response!

Amar - October 27, 2017
Appreciate the time you had taken to prepare this series. I am preparing for AWA using these videos.Great Videos. Thank you very much.
greenlight-admin's picture

greenlight-admin - October 28, 2017

Thanks for the kind words, Amar!

Shravanthi - May 18, 2018
Is this the guide for entire awa section.
greenlight-admin's picture

greenlight-admin - May 18, 2018

Yes, this is all you need to know to prepare for the Analytical Writing section.

KB23 - September 8, 2019
So if someone were to get a 5.5 on the issue task and a 6 on the argument task, then their average would be 5.75. That would be rounded up to 6 right?
greenlight-admin's picture

greenlight-admin - September 9, 2019

That's correct.

Risheek Rao Bil... - October 17, 2019
thank you. The videos are the best I have seen until now for awa.
greenlight-admin's picture

greenlight-admin - October 17, 2019

Thanks Risheek!

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