Frequently Asked Questions About GRE Online Scoring

Who is eligible to serve as a GRE rater?

GRE raters must

• reside and able to score in a location within the continental U.S. or Hawaii
• be a U.S. citizen, a resident alien, or authorized to work for remuneration in the U.S.
• hold, at minimum, a completed master's degree or equivalent academic credential(s)
• currently teach or have recently taught a college- or university-level course in any field or discipline where writing and/or critical thinking skills are important. The course must provide credit toward an undergraduate or graduate degree, and the rater must have had sole responsibility for teaching the course. 

Instructors from many different disciplines are encouraged to apply.

What is required of GRE raters?

Raters must

• be able to score from secure home or office locations and have the necessary Internet-based scoring equipment. (Please note that these requirements are subject to change.) For security reasons, raters cannot use shared office computers, or work in public areas where information may be accidentally viewed, i.e. airport terminal, hotel lobby, Internet café, etc.
• provide equipment Raters are responsible for ensuring that all hardware and software is in good working order.
• meet agreed-upon commitments to the scoring schedule and devote their full attention to the scoring process during each session.

What do GRE raters score?

The GRE includes an Analytical Writing section. Examinees are asked to write responses to the following two analytical writing tasks: "Present Your Perspective on an Issue," and "Analyze an Argument." These responses are evaluated online by GRE raters. Visit the GRE web site for more information about the AW section of the General Test.

What scoring method is used?

Raters are trained to score responses holistically, evaluating the overall quality of thinking and writing according to the criteria in these sections of the GRE Scoring Guide:

• Analyze an Argument
• Perspective on an Issue 

Raters assign scores ranging from 6 (outstanding) to 1 (fundamentally deficient); or, in certain cases, 0.

What steps are taken to provide accurate scoring?

Scoring leaders (highly experienced GRE raters who supervise the scoring sessions) and GRE online support materials help ensure that scoring is consistent and accurate.

How are prospective GRE raters trained?

Approved applicants get access to an interactive tutorial web site that provides

• information about the GRE Analytical Writing measure and the Issue and Argument writing tasks
• instruction in the GRE scoring process, including the general principles of holistic scoring; specific criteria of the Issue and Argument scoring guides; guidelines for applying the scoring criteria to individual responses; and the use of topic-specific reference materials
• extensive practice in scoring actual Issue and Argument responses
• Internet scoring software instruction
• Internet scoring procedures and policies.

When and where are the scoring sessions held?

Sessions are held Monday - Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York) and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time (California) throughout the year. Raters participate in scoring sessions from their own homes or offices via the Internet, working under the guidance of GRE scoring leaders.

The scheduling of scoring shifts depends upon the number of test takers and the volumes of tests. Because these levels fluctuate between peak periods (typically August through December) and off-peak periods (typically January through July), scoring may not occur every day during a given week.

What are rater hours?

Raters are scheduled for either half-day sessions (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (New York) and Pacific Time (California)), or full-day sessions (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York) and Pacific Time (California)). Raters are scheduled on the basis of program needs and according to their availability.

How are scoring sessions conducted?

Raters begin each session by practice scoring at least one set of essays—helping them "calibrate" their judgments against GRE standards. This process is designed to provide fair and accurate scoring. If questions arise during calibration or actual scoring, the rater and scoring leader can telephone each other to discuss issues.

What are GRE raters paid?

Raters are paid $20.60 per hour. This amount is considered full and complete compensation for time and expenses.

How do I become a GRE rater?

Unfortunately, no additional GRE raters are needed at this time. Please check again, as program needs often change.