Structure
The following section refers to
the typical computer-based test. The structure of a paper-based test or a test
with special accommodations will differ. See www.gre.org for details.
The exam consists of three graded sections, plus a required experimental
section that is not included in the reported score. The three graded sections
are analytic writing,
verbal, and
quantitative. The analytic writing section will always appear first, while
the verbal, quantitative, and experimental sections may appear in any order on
the test. An additional non-scored and clearly-marked optional research section
may also appear at end of the test. The entire test procedure takes about 3
hours.
Analytic Writing Section
The analytic writing section consists of two different essays, an "issue
task" and an "argument task". The writing section is graded on a scale of 0-6,
in half-point increments. The essays are written on a computer using a word
processing program specifically designed by ETS. The program allows only basic
computer functions and does not contain a spell-checker or other advanced
features. Each essay is scored by at least two readers on a six-point
holistic scale. If the two scores are within one point, the average of the
scores is taken. If the two scores differ by more than a point, a third reader
examines the response.
Issue Task
The test taker will be able to choose between two topics upon which to write
an essay. The time allowed for this essay is 45 minutes.
Argument Task
The test taker will be given an "argument" and the test taker will be asked
to write an essay that explains why one "side" of the argument is superior.
Typically, the task requires that the taker identify and critique the
logical fallacies of the argument. The time alloted for this essay is 30
minutes.
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