If you’ve ever written a GRE test, you would appreciate how important it is to get the best score possible. To get the required score, you must adhere to certain rules, especially when answering some analytical thinking questions. In today’s article, we’d be looking at the best approach in answering the GRE argument essay.
The essay is a very vital part of the analytical thinking section and understanding the intricacies involved in answering the question would have you get the score you desire.
According to www.ets.org/, there are over a thousand GRE centers in over 16o countries of the world, with millions of people registering for the test annually. The test became even more popular since many graduate schools in the US AND Canada adopted it as their entrance test.
Therefore, if you are bound for the US or Canada, for academic purposes, you might want to read this article. In this article, we’d help you understand the best ways to approach the GRE argument essay. It’s important you learn how the GRE argument essay works, to give you leverage and save you time, if and when you decide to take the test.
The GRE argument essay isn’t the only section of the test, but this article would be focusing mostly on it, to help you understand all there is about the GRE argument essay. Before then, however, what is GRE?
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What is GRE
According to Investopedia, the graduate record examination (GRE) is a standardized exam used to measure one’s aptitude for abstract thinking in the areas of analytical writing, mathematics, and vocabulary. The GRE is commonly used by many graduate schools in the U.S. and Canada to determine an applicant’s eligibility for the program.
GRE tests can be taken from any one of the 16o countries that are eligible for it, in any of the centers, or from the comfort of your home. The test is usually computer-based but there can be exceptions where necessary.
What You Need To Understand About The GRE
The test consists of three main parts designed to measure verbal and quantitative reasoning and critical writing skills.
The verbal reasoning component assesses, among other things, the test taker’s ability to make inferences, discern important and relevant points, and comprehend words and sentences. It is designed to assess the capacity of the test taker to analyze and evaluate written content. This portion also assesses their ability to absorb information gleaned from textual materials. It also sees and evaluates relationships between sentence parts.
In the quantitative section, the test taker’s ability to answer problems is assessed using geometry, data analysis, and algebra concepts. Test takers must comprehend and analyze quantitative data as well as solve problems using mathematical difficulties.
Meanwhile, the test taker’s critical thinking and analytical writing abilities are assessed in the last component. This component focuses on how well they can explain complicated ideas and give adequate support for those ideas.
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How GRE Is Scored
The following are the various sectional scales for GRE tests. The quantitative score is 130-170, scored in one-point increments. While the analytical section writing section is scored 0-6 in half-point increments.
Consequently, the GRE mean score is:
- Verbal Reasoning: 150.4
- Quantitative Reasoning: 153.4
- Analytical Writing: 3.58
How GRE Scores Are Used In Admission Processes
Graduate and business schools commonly use the GRE General Test to screen applicants. Applicants to some colleges may be required to take GRE Subject Tests, which assess expertise in specific subjects of study. Physics, psychology, biology, English literature, and chemistry are examples of these subjects.
GRE Subject Test themes of focus are not necessarily static; exams for topics like computer science and biochemistry have been introduced or withdrawn, while past test scores are still reportable.
Read What is a Good GMAT Score? to find out if your score is good enough.
Things You Must Know About The GRE Argument Essay.
GRE argument essay is one out of the two essays you will write in the GRE test – the other essay being an Issue essay.
The GRE argument essay is geared towards testing your ability to assimilate, process, and evaluate an argument. All these can only be done when you leave your emotions and sentiment out the window and focus on finding the assumptions in whatever sample you encounter.
Below are some of the things you should know about the GRE argument essay.
#1. No One Cares About Who Is Right.
GRE tests are set by ETS and they are not out to see if you agree with the author or not. However, they need to understand how you can carefully assess the author’s reason with the evidence made available to you.
They are not interested in the moralistic implications of what they have written. But are interested to see you decipher the author’s claim through the evidence provided.
What this means is that you will need to identify all that is implied, assertions that were made but are incorrect, and logical conclusions. They need you to properly probe the author’s thought process and identify its loopholes and inconsistencies.
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#2. 3o Minutes Is As Much Time As You Can Get
You have very limited time, therefore, utilize it properly. Do not offer information on questions not asked. Go straight to the point and do all you need to within the allotted time.
#3. A Lot Of Time Won’t Be Spent Reviewing Your Essay
Chances are that the graders won’t spend as much time as you spent writing this essay. So, keep your answer concise and straight to the point. The reviewers should be able to decipher the points you’re trying to make when they read the first few lines.
If your writing makes it impossible for them to do so, they will most likely move on, along with their scores.
#4. Write Quality And Lengthy Stuff
Lengthy GRE argument essays are usually the type of essays with the highest grades. A lengthy quality essay gives you an opportunity to properly express your thoughts about the author’s reasoning.
Your essay should be as long as 600 words, but not less than 350. While the length of the essay matters, the quality matters most. So, don’t compromise on the quality of the length, and avoid repetition.
Finally, illustrations and examples would also boost your chances of scoring higher, employ it any chance you get.
#5. Pay Attention To The Prompt, There Lies All You Need To Know
Ensure you read the prompt at least twice. You’ll want to double-check that you fully comprehend it. Pay close attention to the evidence presented, the prompt’s statement, and the author’s claim. Determining what the author has assumed and then attempting to explain why that assumption may be incorrect is a fantastic approach to spot fallacies. Below are four things to keep an eye out for:
- No evidence to support an assumption: This dearth should be mentioned in your essay, along with the type of facts that would support the case.
- Language that is not specific: Is the author making broad generalizations without elaborating? That’s something you’ll want to mention!
- Most Argument prompts will lead to a conclusion at least once: Look for the author’s reasoning when you read each sentence in the prompt. You should observe that if you can’t find a coherent line of argument, the author has leaped to conclusions.
- Data values :Data values: Just because the author supplies numbers doesn’t indicate they’re accurate or objective. Consider the reliability of any data or data collection methods mentioned in the prompt, and explain them in your essay.
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#6. Structure Your Work
After you’ve finished reading the prompt, make a list of the logical fallacies you’d like to address. Then, before you begin your essay, identify your top three or four topics and write a brief outline. There’s nothing worse than having to stop writing your essay to brainstorm new ideas, so stick to a rigid organizational structure.
Here’s a helpful overall template to remember:
- Intro
- Fallacies
- Suggestions for improving the prompt argument
- Conclusion :
#7. Write In Clear Terms
Remember that this isn’t a creative writing assignment. Ensure that all of your claims are as straightforward as possible. Use a variety of sentence structures and language that is relevant. It’s more crucial to employ exact terminology than ornate ones; after all, your argument’s effectiveness is entirely dependent on the language you use.
#8. You’ll Get One Combined Score For Both Essays
You’ll be graded on a scale of 0 to 6, with half-point increments, and your performance on both essay tasks will be evaluated. There aren’t many chances to make up for a mistake, so plan out your strategy before you start writing your Argument essay.
#9. You Must Not Attend Perfection On Your GRE Argument Essay
An essay with a score of 6 will, among other things, contains in-depth analysis, claims with compelling examples, solid structure, sentence variety, and well-chosen terminology, according to the scoring rubric.
But it doesn’t have to be perfect! An essay with a score of 6 “may have minor faults that do not interfere with meaning,” according to ETS. Pursue the highest standards possible, but don’t let your quest for perfection come in the way of a good—possibly perfect—essay.
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#10. Plan Ahead
It’s true that practice makes perfect, especially when it comes to essays! Under test settings, write at least three practice essays. (It’s always preferable to have more.) You can also take a free GRE practice test. You’ll need to get used to writing under pressure. You should also make a template for your essays that you can use on the GRE. Practicing essays can assist you in learning how to organize a clear, meaningful essay—and how to do so quickly!
How To Structure The GRE Argument Essay
There’s no definite rule as to how your GRE argument essay should be structured, but it’s important you capture the basic essay writing techniques.
Having an introduction that will help you easily float your response would be a good starting point. Additionally, you must write in simple to understand language. Your responses should focus only on the author’s reasoning and not what your personal value elects.
Consquently, it must be void of sentiments, and riddled with facts and assumptions you make out from the prompt.
Conclusion
Aiming to ace the GRE argument essay needs more than wishful thinking. One must prepare to go through the process of achieving this and implement the necessary strategies. This article explores all the possible strategis that exist, and sticking to it will gurantee your success in the GRE argument essay.
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