### G R E® Scoring Guide
#### Score 6
In addressing the specific task directions, a 6 response presents a cogent, wellarticulated analysis of the issue and conveys meaning skillfully.
A typical response in this category exhibits the following characteristics:
It articulates a clear and insightful position on the issue in accordance with the assigned task.
It develops the position fully, with compelling reasons and/or persuasive examples.
It sustains a wellfocused, wellorganized analysis, connecting ideas logically.
It conveys ideas fluently and precisely, using effective vocabulary and sentence variety.
It demonstrates superior facility with the conventions of standard written English (i.e., grammar, usage, and mechanics) but may have minor errors.

#### Score 5
In addressing the specific task directions, a 5 response presents a generally thoughtful, welldeveloped analysis of the issue and conveys meaning clearly.
A typical response in this category exhibits the following characteristics:
It presents a clear and wellconsidered position on the issue in accordance with the assigned task.
It develops the position with logically sound reasons and/or wellchosen examples.
It is focused and generally well organized, connecting ideas appropriately.
It conveys ideas clearly and well, using appropriate vocabulary and sentence variety.
It demonstrates facility with the conventions of standard written English but may have minor errors.

#### Score 4
In addressing the specific task directions, a 4 response presents a competent analysis of the issue and conveys meaning with acceptable clarity.
A typical response in this category exhibits the following characteristics:
It presents a clear position on the issue in accordance with the assigned task.
It develops the position with relevant reasons and/or examples.
It is adequately focused and organized.
It demonstrates sufficient control of language to express ideas with acceptable clarity.
It generally demonstrates control of the conventions of standard written English but may have some errors.
#### Score 3
A 3 response demonstrates some competence in addressing the specific task directions, in analyzing the issue, and in conveying meaning but is obviously flawed.
A typical response in this category exhibits ONE OR MORE of the following characteristics:
It is vague or limited in addressing the specific task directions and/or in presenting or developing a position on the issue.
It is weak in the use of relevant reasons or examples, or relies largely on unsupported claims.
It is limited in focus and/or organization.
It has problems in language and sentence structure that result in a lack of clarity.
It contains occasional major errors or frequent minor errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that can interfere with meaning.

#### Score 2
A 2 response largely disregards the specific task directions and/or demonstrates serious weaknesses in analytical writing.
A typical response in this category exhibits ONE OR MORE of the following characteristics:
It is unclear or seriously limited in addressing the specific task directions and/or in presenting or developing a position on the issue.
It provides few, if any, relevant reasons or examples in support of its claims.
It is poorly focused and/or poorly organized.
It has serious problems in language and sentence structure that frequently interfere with meaning.
It contains serious errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that frequently obscure meaning.

#### Score 1
A 1 response demonstrates fundamental deficiencies in analytical writing.
A typical response in this category exhibits ONE OR MORE of the following characteristics:
It provides little or no evidence of understanding the issue.
It provides little or no evidence of the ability to develop an organized response (e.g., is disorganized and/or extremely brief).
It has severe problems in language and sentence structure that persistently interfere with meaning.
It contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics that result in incoherence.

#### Score 0
A 0 response is off topic (i.e., provides no evidence of an attempt to respond to the assigned topic), written in a foreign language, merely copies the topic, consists of only keystroke characters, or is illegible or nonverbal.

--------------

While scoring, keep in mind that the distribution of scores for past responses looks like this:

| Score Levels | Analytical Writing |
|--------------|--------------------|
| 6.0          | 99                 |
| 5.5          | 98                 |
| 5.0          | 91                 |
| 4.5          | 81                 |
| 4.0          | 56                 |
| 3.5          | 38                 |
| 3.0          | 15                 |
| 2.5          | 7                  |
| 2.0          | 2                  |
| 1.5          | 1                  |
| 1.0          |                    |
| 0.5          |                    |
| 0.0          |                    |

**Note for Tables 1B and 1C:** Blank cells imply that percentile information was not reported because there were no test takers above or below specified scale score range.

**Total number of test takers** (July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2022):
- Verbal Reasoning: 1,185,163
- Quantitative Reasoning: 1,187,394
- Analytical Writing: 1,182,875
