The Analytical Writing Section

The Analytical Writing section of the GRE requires you to write 2 essays. It evaluates your ability to develop a complex, coherent, focused essay based on sound reasoning.

The first essay asks you to present your perspective on an issue. You are provided with 2 choices of topic, and you have 45 minutes (in both the computerized and paper-based test formats) to choose one and develop an essay explaining your perspective on the topic.

The second essay asks you to analyze an argument, and there's no choice of topic. You have 30 minutes (in both test formats) to analyze the passage and evaluate whether it presents a logical argument, whether its reasoning is sound, and whether further evidence may be needed to support the conclusion. This is basically a critique of a reading passage.