GRE® Scoring Guide: Present Your Perspective on an Issue

For tests taken before August 1, 2011

Each "Present Your Perspective on an Issue" essay is scored on a 6-point holistic scale according to the criteria below. Although the GRE® Analytical Writing Measure contains two discrete analytical writing tasks, a single combined score is reported because it is more reliable than either task score alone. The score reported will represent the average of the scores for the two tasks.

Score of 6

A 6 paper presents a cogent, well-articulated analysis of the complexities of the issue and conveys meaning skillfully.

A typical paper in this category:

• presents an insightful position on the issue
• develops the position with compelling reasons and/or persuasive examples
• sustains a well-focused, well-organized analysis, connecting ideas logically
• expresses ideas fluently and precisely, using effective vocabulary and sentence variety
• demonstrates facility with the conventions (i.e., grammar, usage and mechanics) of standard written English, but may have minor errors

Score of 5

A 5 paper presents a generally thoughtful, well-developed analysis of the complexities of the issue and conveys meaning clearly.

A typical paper in this category:

• presents a well-considered position on the issue
• develops the position with logically sound reasons and/or well-chosen examples
• maintains focus and is generally well organized, connecting ideas appropriately
• expresses ideas clearly and well, using appropriate vocabulary and sentence variety
• demonstrates facility with the conventions of standard written English, but may have minor errors

Score of 4

A 4 paper presents a competent analysis of the issue and conveys meaning adequately.

A typical paper in this category:

• presents a clear position on the issue
• develops the position on the issue with relevant reasons and/or examples
• is adequately focused and organized
• expresses ideas with reasonable clarity
• generally demonstrates control of the conventions of standard written English, but may have some errors

Score of 3

A 3 paper demonstrates some competence in its analysis of the issue and in conveying meaning, but is obviously flawed.

A typical paper in this category exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:

• is vague or limited in presenting or developing a position on the issue
• is weak in the use of relevant reasons or examples
• is poorly focused and/or poorly organized
• presents problems in language and sentence structure that result in a lack of clarity
• contains occasional major errors or frequent minor errors in grammar, usage or mechanics that can interfere with meaning

Score of 2

A 2 paper demonstrates serious weaknesses in analytical writing.

A typical paper in this category exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:

• is unclear or seriously limited in presenting or developing a position on the issue
• provides few, if any, relevant reasons or examples
• is unfocused and/or disorganized
• presents serious problems in the use of language and sentence structure that frequently interfere with meaning
• contains serious errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that frequently obscure meaning

Score of 1

A 1 paper demonstrates fundamental deficiencies in analytical writing.

A typical paper in this category exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:

• provides little or no evidence of the ability to understand and analyze the issue
• provides little or no evidence of the ability to develop an organized response
• presents severe problems in language and sentence structure that persistently interfere with meaning
• contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage or mechanics that result in incoherence

Score of 0

A typical paper in this category is:

• off topic (i.e., provides no evidence of an attempt to respond to the assigned topic), in a foreign language, merely copies the topic, consists of only keystroke characters or is illegible or nonverbal

Score of NS

• blank

See also:

• "Argument" Task Scoring Guide — for tests taken before August 1, 2011
• Analytical Writing Score Level Descriptions — for tests taken before August 1, 2011