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Frequently Asked Questions About the
New General Test
How and why is the General Test changing?

Starting on October 1, 2002, the General Test will be composed of verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections. The verbal and quantitative sections will be unchanged from their present content. The analytical writing section will be identical to the stand-alone test we now call the Writing Assessment, which was introduced in October 1999. The current analytical section will no longer be part of the General Test.

These changes to the General Test are being made in order to (1) help admissions committees assess higher level critical thinking and analytical writing skills of applicants, and (2) provide a performance assessment that measures a test taker's ability to make and critique arguments, which is central to the work done by graduate students in most fields.

TEST CONTENT
What skills does the new General Test measure?

Verbal (section is unchanged)

analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it

analyze relationships among component parts of sentences
recognize relationships between words and concepts
Quantitative (section is unchanged)

understand basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis
reason quantitatively
solve problems in a quantitative setting
Analytical Writing (NEW section)

articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively
examine claims and accompanying evidence
support ideas with relevant reasons and examples
sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion
control the elements of standard written English (this factor plays a role only to the extent that poor writing skills impede readers' understanding of the argument)
What is the analytical writing section like?

The analytical writing section consists of two analytical writing tasks: a 45-minute "Present Your Perspective on an Issue" task and a 30-minute "Analyze an Argument" task. The "Issue" task states an opinion on an issue of general interest and asks you to address the issue from any perspective(s) you wish, as long as you provide relevant reasons and examples to explain and support your views. The "Argument" task presents a different challenge — it requires you to critique an argument by discussing how well reasoned you find it. You are asked to consider the logical soundness of the argument rather than to agree or disagree with the position it presents. These two tasks are complementary in that the first requires you to construct a personal argument about an issue, and the second requires you to critique someone else's argument by assessing its claims.

Are there examples of what the essay questions look like?

Yes. You can view all the topics for the analytical writing section on this Web site. In addition, scored sample essays are available, with commentary from GRE readers, on this Web site or in the GRE POWERPREP Software — Test Preparation for the GRE General Test. POWERPREP will be sent to you when you register for the computer-based GRE General Test. You can download POWERPREP for free now!

How does the analytical writing section differ from the verbal section of the General Test?

Because the analytical writing section is a performance test, you must organize and articulate your own ideas as you discuss a complex issue, as well as explain the logical soundness of an argument you have just read. The verbal section of the General Test measures reading comprehension, and verbal and analogical reasoning skills in a multiple-choice format. Whereas the verbal section measures your ability to understand complex ideas expressed in written passages and in the relationships between words, the analytical writing section measures your ability to articulate and support ideas, and to analyze arguments.

How does the analytical writing section differ from the TOEFL Test of Written English (TWE)?

The TOEFL and GRE writing sections are very different. The TWE is not designed to assess higher levels of thinking and analytical writing, but centers instead on command of English vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and syntax. Therefore, scores on the two tests are not at all comparable. Because the TOEFL test emphasizes fundamental writing skills, the TOEFL score can supplement an analytical writing score by helping faculty determine whether a low score on the GRE analytical writing section is due to lack of familiarity with English or to lack of ability to produce and analyze logical arguments.

How does the current Writing Assessment differ from the new analytical writing section?

The analytical writing section is the same as the Writing Assessment. It contains the same tasks and is evaluated in the same way. The name has been changed to more closely describe the skills that are being measured.

TEST PREPARATION
How can I prepare for the new General Test?

A CD-ROM containing GRE POWERPREP Software - Test Preparation for the GRE General Test will be sent to you when you register for the GRE computer-based General Test. POWERPREP can also be downloaded now for free. The software includes test tutorials, practice questions with explanations, and two actual computer-adaptive tests for the verbal and quantitative sections. The software also includes sample topics and essays for the analytical writing section, and advice on how to write effective essays for the Issue and Argument tasks. POWERPREP lets you practice writing essays under simulated GRE testing conditions with the same GRE word processing and testing tools that appear on the test. NOTE: GRE POWERPREP is only IBM or PC compatible. The software is not compatible with Apple MacIntosh computers. POWERPREP was developed using the same software that is used to administer the General Test at computer-based test centers, which is delivered in a PC environment.

The Practice General Test book will be sent to you if you register for the paper-based GRE General Test. The publication includes practice questions with explanations, one actual test for the verbal and quantitative measures, and sample topics and essays for the analytical writing measure.

In addition, you can view information about the nature of the analytical writing section, directions for the two essay tasks, the entire pool of topics, scoring criteria, and samples of scored essays.

TEST ADMINISTRATION
What will the price of the new General Test be in October 2002?

The General Test will cost US $115 for individuals testing in the United States, U.S. Territories, and Puerto Rico, and US $140 for individuals testing in all other locations. Individuals who would like to request a fee waiver, should read about the requirements and procedures in the Fee Waiver section.

How will the new General Test be administered?

The General Test will continue to be given year-round on the computer in the U.S., Canada, and many other countries. For the analytical writing section of the test, essay tasks will be delivered on the computer, but you can choose to word-process or handwrite your responses. Paper-based General Test administrations will be offered in areas of the world where computer-based testing is not available.

What word processing software is used for the analytical writing section? What tools does it have?

The GRE Program uses an elementary word processor developed by ETS so that individuals familiar with a specific commercial word processing software do not have an advantage or disadvantage. This software contains the following functions: inserting text, deleting text, cut and paste, and undoing the previous action. Spelling and grammar checkers are not available in the ETS software, in large part to maintain fairness with those examinees who choose to handwrite their essays. You can practice writing essays using the word processor in POWERPREP.

I am planning to take the GRE General Test in the fall of 2002. How should I decide whether to take it before or after October 1, 2002?

You should check with the institutions to which you are applying to see whether they have a preference. The GRE Program will urge departments to treat General Test scores in the old and new formats in an even-handed fashion. Of course, you may also take into consideration whether you believe your skills are best showcased in the General Test under the old or new formats.

SCORING AND REPORTING
How will the sections of the General Test be scored?

The scoring of the verbal and quantitative sections of the computer-based General Test will not change. Scores will depend on your performance on the questions given and on the number of questions answered in the time allotted. Because both of these sections are computer adaptive, the questions presented are selected to reflect your performance on preceding questions and the requirements of the test design. Test design factors that influence which questions are presented to you include (1) the statistical characteristics (including difficulty level) of the questions already answered, (2) the required variety of question types, and (3) the appropriate coverage of content.

The scoring of the verbal and quantitative sections of the paper-based General Test will also not change. For each section, a raw score is computed. The raw score is the number of questions for which the best answer choice was given. The raw score is then converted to a scaled score through a process known as equating. The equating process accounts for differences in difficulty among the different test editions; thus, a given scaled score reflects approximately the same level of ability regardless of the edition of the test that was taken.

The scoring of the analytical writing section is the same whether the test is taken on computer or paper. Each essay receives a score from two trained readers, using a 6-point holistic scale. In holistic scoring, readers are trained to assign scores on the basis of the overall quality of an essay in response to the assigned task. If the two assigned scores differ by more than one point on the scale, the discrepancy is adjudicated by a third GRE reader. Otherwise, the scores from the two readings of an essay are averaged. The final scores on the two essays are then averaged and rounded up to the nearest half-point interval. A single score is reported for the analytical writing section.

The primary emphasis in scoring the analytical writing section is on your critical thinking and analytical writing skills rather than on grammar and mechanics. (Read the scoring guides for each essay task)

Will examinees that use alternative ways of developing an argument be scored fairly?

You may use any one of a variety of strategies to structure your essays. Readers are explicitly trained to accept any strategy in an essay that meets the essential requirements of the essay task, i.e., a response that provides the information required by the essay prompt.

What scores will be reported?

Three scores will be reported on the new General Test:

a verbal score reported on a 200-800 score scale, in 10-point increments
a quantitative score reported on a 200-800 score scale, in 10-point increments, and
an analytical writing score reported on a 0-6 score scale, in half-point increments.
If you answer no questions at all in a section (verbal, quantitative, or analytical writing), that section will be reported as a No Score (NS).

Descriptions of the analytical writing abilities characteristic of particular score levels are available in the interpretive leaflet enclosed with your score report and in the Guide to the Use of GRE Scores.

Will essay responses be sent to the institutions?

Yes. Beginning in July 2003, the GRE Program is planning to make essay responses available electronically to GRE score recipients. If you test on or after July 1, 2003, your essay responses from your current and previous General Test administrations will be sent as part of your cumulative score record.

When will scores be reported?

If you take the computer-based General Test, you will receive your unofficial verbal and quantitative scores at the test center; however, because of the essay scoring process, you will not receive your analytical writing scores at that time. Verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing scores on the computer-based General Test will be sent to you and the institutions you designate within 10 to 15 days of your test administration. If you choose to handwrite your essay responses, verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing scores will be sent within 6 weeks of your test administration.

If you take the paper-based General Test, you will not receive any scores at the test center. Verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing scores on the paper-based General Test will be sent to you and the institutions you designate within 6 weeks of your test administration.

SCORE USE
How is the GRE Program recommending that departments use my scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the new General Test?

Because the verbal and quantitative sections of the test have not changed, the GRE Program recommends that departments use scores from these two sections as they always have, considering the Guidelines for the Use of GRE Scores, published in the Guide to the Use of Scores.

How is the GRE Program recommending that departments interpret my analytical writing score?

As a performance assessment, the GRE analytical writing section provides a snapshot of your analytical writing ability before entry into graduate school. The Guide to the Use of GRE Scores is being revised to include information on the interpretation of analytical writing scores. This information includes descriptions of the characteristic analytical writing abilities reflected at each score level.

My native language is not English. How is the GRE Program recommending that departments interpret my analytical writing score?

If your native language is not English (ESL) and you do not understand the task posed to you, your performance on all three sections of the General Test will be affected. The GRE Program advises score users to consider a variety of pieces of information about ESL applicants, including TOEFL and TWE scores, to determine whether these students would be able to meet the department's requirements.

Should the analytical writing score be combined with the verbal and quantitative scores?

The GRE Program does not recommend combining the scores on any of the General Test sections. Each section should be considered separately because it provides insight into a different aspect of your abilities.

WRITING ASSESSMENT
Will the Writing Assessment still be administered as a separate test?

The Writing Assessment will be administered as a separate test until December 31, 2002. After that time, it will be discontinued.

ANALYTICAL SECTION
Will the analytical section still be administered?

No. The analytical section will be discontinued after September 30, 2002.

TEST FAIRNESS
How can we know that the analytical writing section is fair for all examinees, including groups that are underrepresented in graduate school?

The GRE Board has long been concerned that examinee groups not be disadvantaged by any major changes in the General Test. In response to that concern, extensive analyses of group differences in the Writing Assessment were performed before the test became operational in October 1999. These analyses have since been supplemented by data from those who have taken the Writing Assessment as an operational test, and by data from a special research study conducted in April 2001. The findings from each of these data sources indicate that there is less difference in the scores of men and women on the Writing Assessment than on the multiple-choice measures. The differences between African American and White examinees and between Hispanic and White examinees are also smaller on the Writing Assessment than on the multiple-choice measures. The difference between Asian American and White examinees is about the same as the difference on the verbal and analytical sections. Asian American examinees outscore White examinees on the quantitative section.

How can we know that the analytical writing section is fair for examinees whose native language is not English?

Test takers whose native language is not English (ESL) naturally find the analytical writing section more challenging, on average, than do native speakers of English. Steps have already been taken to ensure that these performance differences are not due to differences in the cross-cultural accessibility of the topics. Special fairness reviews occur for all topics to ensure that the content and tasks are clear and accessible for all groups of test takers, including ESL students. In addition, scorers are trained to focus on the analytical logic of the essay responses more than on spelling, grammar, or syntax. The mechanics of writing are weighed in their ratings only to the extent that these impede clarity of meaning. Since the analytical writing section is tapping into different skills than the multiple-choice measures, it may not be surprising that the performance of ESL examinees differs on this section. Given that graduate faculty have indicated that analytical writing is an important component of work in most graduate schools, including the analytical writing section should increase the validity of the General Test.

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